2025 Benigna Education Award
John C. Mikovits, PhD, RN ’08, G’15
The Benigna Education Award recognizes an alum for their outstanding contributions to the field of education. Administrators, college professors, elementary and secondary teachers, and all those in the teaching profession are eligible. The recipient has made significant innovations in the teaching profession, or otherwise substantially impacted the education process, and has demonstrated dedication to the community at large.
John C. Mikovits, PhD, RN ’08, G’15 has heart in every sense of the word. As a PhD-prepared registered nurse, he has spent his career caring for patients’ hearts as a pioneering cardiac care nurse while also working to improve the health of marginalized and underserved communities. Through it all, he has remained dedicated to mentoring and educating the next generation of nurses.
John earned his bachelor of science in nursing from ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ in 2008 and launched his career at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Bethlehem, working as a staff nurse in the cardiac medical-surgical unit. When St. Luke’s opened a new hospital, he played a key role in establishing the new cardiac ICU, serving as a charge nurse and leading training programs to educate staff on critical patient safety measures. It was during this time that John also discovered his passion for teaching. He oversaw the instruction of five graduate nursing students and later took on roles as an adjunct instructor at ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½, St. Luke’s School of Nursing, and Widener University.
John’s impact on cardiac care in the Lehigh Valley is groundbreaking. He pioneered the region’s first left ventricular assist device (LVAD) program for advanced heart failure patients, which launched in 2014. An LVAD is a mechanical pump that helps weakened hearts function—either as a temporary measure before a transplant or as a long-term solution when a transplant isn’t possible. As the program coordinator, John not only trained ICU staff and emergency responders on LVAD technology but also navigated the complex approval process with the commonwealth’s Department of Health and healthcare accrediting bodies. Since its inception, the program has consistently exceeded national outcome standards, transforming the lives of patients across the Lehigh Valley.
Beyond the success of the LVAD program, John has approached patient care with deep compassion. He established a support group for patients and families, creating a network of connection and understanding for those undergoing life-altering surgery. His expertise has also been recognized on the national stage. He has presented at numerous conferences on improving patient outcomes and enhancing education for patients and caregivers.
While advancing cardiac care, John pursued further education, earning a master’s degree in nursing administration from ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ in 2015 and a PhD in nursing science at Widener University, where his dissertation explored the experiences of transgender and gender-diverse individuals in healthcare interactions with registered nurses. His work earned him the Dean’s Award for Doctoral Excellence and set the foundation for his ongoing research on LGBTQ+ healthcare disparities and inclusive nursing education.
John has since become a trailblazer in this field, presenting research on transgender and LGBTQ+ concerns in nursing, public policy, and clinical education at national and international conferences. Recognizing his expertise, the National League for Nursing appointed him as a subject matter expert, tasking him with developing nationwide educational materials to train nurses on inclusive and equitable care for LGBTQ+ patients.
In 2016, John joined ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½â€™s faculty full-time as an assistant professor of nursing and public health. He teaches pharmacology, pathophysiology, leadership, and family health management, while also guest lecturing on ethical dilemmas in healthcare and overseeing clinical rotations, but his passion for advocacy extends beyond the classroom. He recently presented at a Canadian nursing conference on creating anti-discriminatory pedagogy in nursing education as well as at the annual health equity conference hosted by GLMA, Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality.
Throughout his career, John has credited the mentorship and guidance of his former professors—now esteemed colleagues—as instrumental to his success. Their support shaped his journey, reinforcing his belief in the power of education, mentorship, and compassion to transform healthcare. Today, he carries that legacy forward, inspiring and preparing the next generation of nurses not only to provide exceptional care but also to advocate for a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.