Dr. Shakira Lynn

Dr. Shakira Lynn was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. She is a dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner committed to providing medical care while utilizing evidence based practice. She graduated with honors from Cedar Shoals High School in 2002. After graduation, she matriculated in the nursing program at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia where she became a charter member the Sigma Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She then transferred to South Carolina State University where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with honors in 2008. After graduating with her nursing degree, she became a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army Nurse Corps. She then completed her Master of Science in Nursing degree at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing and became a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2013. While matriculating at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing, she traveled each summer to provide medical care to over 2,000 residents on mission trips near Agalta Valley in Olancho, Honduras. After graduation, she returned as a volunteer Nurse Practitioner and provided instruction for undergraduate nursing students. Several students gained knowledge through Dr. Lynn's skillful hands. She was awarded the Edna Earle Teal Award in 2016 for her distinguished service to God and humanity while providing medical care and introducing people to Christ across the world.

Dr. Lynn conducted a research project titled, “Open Access Scheduling: Improving Access to Rural Healthcare” which was published in the Journal of Nursing Education and Practice in 2015. Her work helped to develop a scheduling model that decreased the rate of missed appointments at a rural clinic in Clinton, South Carolina. She began her career as a Family Nurse Practitioner at a Federally Qualified Health Center in South Carolina where she provided coordinated and comprehensive care for patients throughout the lifespan. She also worked on a mobile bus providing care for homeless individuals living in shelters across the upstate of South Carolina. She was recognized as ‘Clinician of the Year’ in 2017 for services rendered to this population.

Dr. Lynn is a member of several professional nursing organizations where she has served on executive leadership boards since 2014. In 2015, Dr. Lynn obtained her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from the Medical University of South Carolina with an emphasis on clinical practice-oriented leadership training. In 2021, she received the Medical University of South Carolina's Young Alumna Award. This award highlighted her accomplishments, commitment and leadership towards making a difference in the lives of those for whom she provides nursing care. Dr. Lynn currently works in a clinical setting providing quality healthcare for adult patients. She has distinguished herself in the nursing profession and the community.

Dr. Lynn founded her non-profit organization, Essentially Elegant, Inc. in 2014 to empower communities to create social change. Through interactive and supportive programs, Essentially Elegant, Inc. provides mentorship to girls in the Athens, Georgia community. The organization's mentors provide instruction in etiquette, business ownership, financial literacy and study skills. She recently partnered with another organization in Tanzania, Africa to teach her entrepreneurship course to school age girls; her influence is now worldwide. She is an asset not only to the communities she serves, but to the world.