Rita Freeman Silen, a retired Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), is a distinguished nurse anesthetist, humanitarian, artist, and philanthropist whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to service, global health, and creative expression. A native of West Tennessee, she was a member of the inaugural class to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College of Nursing in 1974. She later completed advanced training as a CRNA and practiced for more than four decades in cities including Jackson, Tennessee; New York; St. Louis; and Portland, Oregon—where she concluded her career at the VA Hospital.
Silen’s humanitarian work spans nearly 20 years of international medical relief missions across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America, where she provided anesthesia care in underserved communities. These experiences inspired her second career as an award-winning conceptual photographer and portraitist, capturing the dignity and resilience of people and cultures around the world.
Silen is a Sylvia E. Hart Distinguished Alumni Award recipient—the highest honor bestowed by the College of Nursing—and was named to the college’s Fabulous Fortyalumni list in 2012. She is an emeriti member of the College of Nursing Advisory Board and was commencement speaker in 2014. She now serves as Chair of the UT Alliance of Women Philanthropists, where she champions women-led giving across the UT System. Her philanthropic generosity and service provide remarkable support for past, present, and future College of Nursing students.
A dedicated hiker, yogi, and Spanish language student, Silen remains deeply engaged with her alma mater and continues to inspire through her service, creativity, and generosity.
