William D. Ahrens

William D. "Bill" Ahrens received a Nursing Diploma from the Gowanda State Hospital School of Nursing in 1970. Subsequently he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (Summa Cum Laude) from Northern Illinois University in 1976 and a Master of Science in Nursing (Cardiovascular) from the University of Alabama Medical Center in Birmingham in 1981.
He was commissioned an Ensign, Nurse Corps, United States Navy in 1970 During his Naval career he rose to the rank of Captain and held a variety of positions including:
Director, Health Promotion Division, Headquarters, Naval Medical Command;
Department Head and Assistant Director, Nursing Services, Naval Hospital, Pensacola, Florida;
Director, Nursing Services, Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida;
Director, Nursing Services, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
He also served as Specialty Consultant for Nursing Practice to the Surgeon General of the Navy from 1995 to 1998. He is a recipient of the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and National Defense Medal.
Retiring from active Naval service in August, 1998, he joined the Nursing faculty at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, where he is currently a Senior Instructor and Director of the Regular Prelicensure Nursing program.