Harris Named American Academy of Nursing Fellow

By Spencer Watson

Harris was one of 231 highly distinguished nurse leaders selected by the academy for its 2019 class and the only nurse from Arkansas. She will be honored at the induction ceremony during the academy’s annual policy conference, Transforming Health, Driving Policy, to be held October 24-26, 2019, in Washington, D.C.

“It is a tremendous honor to be elected to this esteemed organization,” said Harris. “Nursing is very much about providing care for others, unmotivated by recognition or gratitude. However, it is certainly humbling and fulfilling to be honored by my colleagues nationally for making worthwhile contributions to our profession.”

Harris joins UAMS colleagues Patricia Cowan, Ph.D., RN; Jean McSweeney, Ph.D., RN; Pao-feng Tsai, Ph.D., RN, and Claudia Beverly, Ph.D., RN, and professor emerita, as fellows in the American Academy of Nursing.

The academy is comprised of more than 2,600 nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy and research. They have been recognized for their extraordinary commitment to the promotion of the public’s health through evidence and innovation.

Through a competitive and rigorous process, a committee of elected Fellows reviews hundreds of applications. The new Fellows are selected based on their impressive contributions to increase access, reduce cost and improve quality through nursing theory, practice and science. Induction into the academy is a significant milestone in a nurse leader’s career where their accomplishments are honored by those within the nursing discipline.

“I am proud to welcome this incredible class of leaders to the American Academy of Nursing,” said Academy President Karen Cox, Ph.D., RN. “Their amazing accomplishments have changed health and health care across the country and around the globe. I look forward to celebrating the new Fellows at our 2019 policy conference and working with them in the future so that our collective knowledge can impact and influence health policy.”