Dr. James L. Raper Endowed Professorship

James Raper, Ph.D., devoted more than four decades to shaping HIV care, nursing education, and advanced practice leadership at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing. A 1994 School of Nursing graduate, his career began in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, where he first encountered the emerging AIDS epidemic, an issue that later became deeply personal and set the course for his life’s work.

Raper’s leadership at the 1917 Clinic, a cornerstone of HIV treatment in Alabama, helped expand access and continuity of care for thousands of patients, including more than 800 who were displaced following the closure of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. As the first nurse practitioner to direct a medical clinic at UAB, he led with clinical expertise, operational insight, and a steadfast commitment to patient dignity.

His influence extended nationally through significant scholarly contributions, research funding, and eight years of service as a scientific panelist for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services antiretroviral treatment guideline updates. Equally defining was his mentorship of nursing students at all levels, challenging them to excel and advocate for patients.

The James L. Raper Endowed Professorship in Nursing honors this legacy by supporting faculty who advance education, scholarship, and impactful care for future generations. To maximize the impact of the fund and put it to work faster, it is being established initially as the James L. Raper Endowed Faculty Scholar in Nursing as an intermediate step towards the endowed professorship, subject to the approval of The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama.