Faye G. Abdellah was the first nurse and first woman to serve as Deputy Surgeon General of the United States. She was also the first nurse military officer to earn the ranking of a two-star rear admiral. Abdellah was the founder and first Dean of the Graduate School of Nursing at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and led the formation of the National Institute of Nursing Research at the National Institutes of Health. Abdellah is regarded as one of the most influential nursing theorists and public health scientists.

Rose M. Chioni served as Dean of the University of Virginia School of Nursing for 15 years. During her tenure, she helped to develop UVA’s PhD nursing program. In addition to serving as a Charter Fellow of the Academy, Chioni served as President of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and President of the Virginia State Board of Nursing.

Rheba de Tornyay served as Dean of the University of Washington from 1975 to 1986 where she helped establish one of the first programs in the country for a PhD in nursing science. She was among the first nurses to be elected to the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine). She was also the first woman and first nurse to be elected to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Board of Trustees. De Tornyay was selected as the Academy’s first President and the organization’s development fund is named in her honor.

Rhetaugh G. Dumas was the first nurse, woman, and Black person to serve as Deputy Director of the National Institute of Mental Health. She also became the first Black woman to serve as Dean of the University of Michigan School of Nursing. She was among the first to use the scientific method to evaluate the efficacy of nursing practices. In 1996, Dumas was appointed by President Clinton to the National Bioethics Advisory Commission to advise the President on bioethical issues arising from advances in biomedical technology. 

Fernando A. Duran served as the first President of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. A native a Spain, he served in the Air Force there, then started a career in nursing which led him to the United Kingdom, and in 1957, he immigrated to the U.S. He established the first psychiatric nursing community enterprise in Iowa, then a grant he was awarded led him to Vermont, where he started the first community mental health center there. Due to his expertise, he was recruited to be the Assistant Commissioner of Mental Health in Massachusetts and later became the Area Director of Mental Health for the Merrimack Valley. He also served on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services (JPN).

Ellen C. Egan held many academic leadership roles, including as Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies and later Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Minnesota as well as a Visiting Researcher of Nursing at Tokyo University and Professor at Osaka Prefectural College of Japan, where she worked until her retirement. Her published works include research on nursing interventions to reduce agitation in patients with dementia. She served as the Academy’s first Secretary and third President from 1975 - 1976. 

Geraldine Felton, who served as Dean of the University of Iowa College of Nursing and Oakland University, Michigan, is a trailblazer in nursing research and education. Prior to her tenure in academia, Felton was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Nurse Corps and was active at the Walter Reed Army Hospital’s Institute of Research. During her military tenure, she also helped establish a nurse anesthesia program at the University of Hawaii.

Loretta C. Ford is an internationally-recognized nursing leader and member of the Women’s Hall of Fame. Ford co-founded and implemented a pediatric nurse practitioner model of care and training program at the University of Colorado, and is credited with establishing the first nurse practitioner program in the United States. While Dean at the University of Rochester, Ford developed a holistic approach to nursing education through the Unification Model of Nursing.  

Athleen B. Godfrey was known for promoting the welfare of young children with disabilities and their families. She was appointed to Chair the state of Utah’s first Interagency Coordinating Council to implement statewide early intervention services to infants and young children with disabilities at a time when these services were not provided by public school systems. Godfrey expanded the work on this council by serving on several federal interagency groups to implement early intervention services to children with disabilities nationwide. 

Dorothy Gregg was an influential nurse who helped to elevate the role of mental health nurses after beginning her career in psychiatric nursing in 1947. Gregg served as a mental health consultant for the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and as Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Psychiatric Nursing Program at Colorado University. Her numerous theoretical contributions are professionally recognized.

Winifred H. Griffin was a nursing leader and educator whose research focused on psychiatry and geriatrics. During her tenure, Griffin served as an Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Nursing, Regional Director of the New England Board of Higher Education, and as a member of the New England Council of Higher Education in Nursing. She was also nominated to the Women’s Forum by the State of North Carolina for her contributions. 

Jeanette Grosicki was a nurse leader and staunch advocate for Veteran’s health. She served the in the Army Nurse Corps and continued to serve veterans after her service, including as Chief of Research in Clinical Nursing at the Veterans Administration Hospital, North Little Rock, Arkansas. She also served as a Professor and Chairman of the Department of Nursing at the State College of Arkansas (now known as the University of Central Arkansas). 

Anne G. Hargreaves, a Bronze Star decorated World War II veteran, was a recognized nurse leader who held positions such as President and later Executive Director of the Massachusetts Nurses Association as well as Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Boston University. Hargreaves is renowned as a pioneer in psychiatric nursing, authoring one of the first articles on the use of group dynamics as a way to build interpersonal relationships during group therapy. She utilized this research while working as a prison group therapist and on the Massachusetts’ Blue Ribbon Commission for Mental Health.

Sister Elizabeth Catherine Harkins served as founding Dean of the University of Southern Mississippi School of Nursing, which was established in 1966, only the second baccalaureate nursing program in the state. She retired in 1980, but served as dean emeritus through 1997. Notably, she was the first Catholic nun to run a non-Catholic nursing school in the U.S. Harkins was an advocate for diversity and actively recruited male and minority students to the program as she staunchly believed that “nursing should mirror the society it served” as indicated in her oral history. 

Jean Hayter served as a Professor at the University of Kentucky (UK) for over 20 years, where she started a master’s program in gerontological nursing. Prior to joining (UK), she was a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and a part-time visiting professor at Marquette University. She was as accreditation visitor and Board of Review member for the National League for Nursing. She published more than 100 book chapters, articles and research briefs in various professional journals, including reports of her original research that focused on outcomes of nursing program graduates that she originated in 1963, when she conducted a study of the graduates of a baccalaureate nursing program at the Medical College of Virginia. She conducted a subsequent, similar study at UK that surveyed graduates who completed their baccalaureate nursing education between 1964 – 1969.

Margaret J. Heins was a nursing leader and advocate who dedicated her career to advancing and supporting the nursing profession. Throughout her career, she developed the Tennessee Professional Assistance Program, to aid nurses with drug and alcohol addictions, as well as the Tennessee Nurses Foundation to assist nurses with scholarship and educational programs. Heins also served as the Director of St. Mary’s School of Nursing for over 25 years.

Katherine J. Hoffman was an early proponent of nursing research as a priority activity for the development of nursing science and one of the founders of the Western Society for Research in Nursing. Hoffman was the first nurse in the state of Washington to earn a PhD. She helped institute the first nurse-scientist program at the University of Washington to enable nursing doctoral students to conduct research. 

Mary Ann Lavin, Professor Emerita at Saint Louis University, is a leading nurse researcher and entrepreneur. She is the President and Founder of TIIKO, which utilizes biotech, multidimensional search software to model complex knowledge. Lavin is also known for her work to create interprofessional, sustainable health clinics in Bolivia, rural Missouri, and St. Louis City, Missouri. 

Myra E. Levine was a leader in nursing theory, known for creating the Conservation Model. The model is comprised of four key principles a nurse should aim to conserve while treating a patient, including the patient’s energy, structural integrity, personal integrity, and social integrity. Levine utilized this method in her academic positions, at Loyola College, Rush University, and the University of Illinois, and was the first recipient of the Sigma Theta Tau Elizabeth Russell Belford Excellence in Teaching Award.

Eloise Lewis was an eminent nurse educator, scholar, and nursing activist who served as the Founding Dean of the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Nursing. In her nearly 20-year tenure at UNC-Greensboro, Lewis was also active with hospice care in Greensboro and received numerous awards for her contributions to the nursing field, including four honorary degrees. Lewis was the first editor of the Journal of Professional Nursing in the mid-1980s.

Nancy A. Lytle was an innovative nurse leader who specialized in maternity nursing. She created a nursing maternity graduate program with novel instruction techniques. Lytle is known for implementing a model of care that encourages greater participation from fathers during the birthing experience. She also served as a nursing consultant to the Department of Health in the US Virgin Islands as well as the State of Ohio. She served as the Director of Maternity and Gynecologic Nursing at the University Hospitals of Cleveland Ohio and Professor at Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

Gaynelle McKinney was an instrumental nurse planner whose expertise helped solidify the “West Virginia Plan” of nursing curriculum. During her 30-year tenure at the West Virginia University School of Nursing, McKinney’s publications on man power planning were foundational to health planning activities in the state. She chaired the West Virginia Planning Commission for Nursing, the Governor’s Commission on Nursing, and the West Virginia State Health Coordinating Council.

Dorothy J. Novello, was the Director of the Erie Institute of Nursing located in Erie, Pennsylvania. She served as President of the National League for Nursing from 1975-1977. In 1970 she won the Pennsylvania League for Nursing Award of Merit, and in 1968, she received Honorary Recognition for Continuing Efforts to Elevate the Profession from the Pennsylvania Nurses' Association. Dr. Novello received her nursing diploma from St Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh. She earned her B.S. and Master of Science degrees at Duquesne University, and her Ph.D. at Harvard University.

Marjorie E. Sanderson was a professor and served as the second Dean of the University of South Carolina College of Nursing. During her tenure, the BSN curriculum was revised and a master’s program was established which lead to the nursing program being designated as a College of Nursing. She also served as Associate Dean for Nursing at East Stroudsburg University, as well as the Director of Nursing at the University Hospital affiliated with the University of Maryland.

Barbara G. Schutt was a nurse educator, leader, and advocate known for improving nursing service, education, and economic opportunities for the profession. Her public relations, lobbying, and collective bargaining approaches advanced the nursing profession in Pennsylvania. Schutt served as the editor of the American Journal of Nursing from 1958-1971.

Doris R. Schwartz was a respected nurse leader who embodied the values of the profession. After her service as Captain in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II, Schwartz taught public health nursing and ambulatory patient care at Cornell University. During her tenure, she published many innovative works, mainly focused on geriatric ambulatory care, and created one of the university’s nurse practitioner programs. 

The BSU Department of Nursing was established in 1983 under Joelyn’s leadership, and she served as chair of the department until 1995. She was instrumental in the development of both the Itasca Nursing Education Consortium and the Aggasiz Region Nursing Education Consortium. Her efforts to promote access to quality baccalaureate nursing education in rural northern Minnesota have been widely recognized. Her service on numerous statewide task forces and committees has been commendable. Joelyn served as acting dean of the Center for Extended Learning from 1997 to 2000. Joelyn retired from BSU in May 2005, and passed away on June 13, 2016. Joelyn was passionate about nursing education and began her teaching career at Jamestown College, eventually becoming chair of the nursing department. In 1968-69 Joelyn served on the SS Hope, a peace-time hospital ship that provided medical assistance to developing countries, in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). She considered her time on the SS Hope one of her greatest accomplishments. Joelyn departed Jamestown in December of 1979 and served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Dakota. In 1983 Joelyn established the department of nursing at Bemidji State University and chaired the department for many years afterward. She was proud of her work in the Itasca Nursing Education and Aggasiz Region Nursing Education Consortiums to provide quality nursing education to rural Minnesota. Joelyn served as acting dean of the Center for Extended Learning at BSU from 1997-2000. After her retirement in 2005 Joelyn was active in First Lutheran Church and Sons of Norway. Her hobbies included researching family genealogy and being a grandmother.

Lorraine D. Singer was Singer was Dean Emeritus of The University of Oklahoma College of Nursing. 

Shirley A. Smoyak was an academic leader who made many foundational contributions to the field of psychiatric nursing. Smoyak’s tenure at the Rutgers University School of Nursing spanned 50 years, during which she has developed and taught graduate and undergraduate courses in psychiatric and mental health nursing, family dynamics, health care administration, culture and health, and qualitative research methods. Smoyak was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services since 1981.

Frances J. Storlie was a staunch advocate for health equity and social justice who was one of the first nurse practitioners to be licensed in Oregon. Storlie was a prolific writer, publishing four nursing textbooks and over 120 research articles. She fiercely supported patients in need, making over 40 medical missions to Latin America as well as providing aid during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In her later years, Storlie established a free health clinic in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Gayle A. Traver was a pioneer in the field of pulmonary nursing. She wrote some of the first texts and publications describing nursing's role in the care of respiratory patients, including Respiratory Nursing: the Science and the Art and Respiratory Care: A Clinical Approach. Traver was a Clinical Nurse Specialist before the role was formalized. She completed her BSN from the University of Rochester and earned an MSN from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Prior to beginning her master’s program, she worked as a staff nurse at University Hospital in Seattle, WA. As a result of her master’s thesis research focused on pressure breathing, the Chief of the Pulmonary Division at CWRU’s Medical School collaborated with the Dean of the Nursing School to create a joint position for her. She then moved on to the University of Arizona (UA), where she worked for 50 years. Throughout her career at UA, Traver held a joint appointment in the School of Nursing and Medical School. Starting off in 1970 as an instructor in internal medicine and as an assistant professor of nursing and finishing out her career as an Associated Professor in Nursing and a Clinical Assistant Professor in internal medicine. She directed the nursing specialist degree program in pulmonary from 1971-1981, securing grant funding to support other students and faculty interested in the field.

Phyllis J. Verhonick was the first Assistant Chief for Nursing Research and Chief of the Nursing Department at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research here from 1958 to 1968. Verhonick served 20 years with the Army Nurse Corps, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During her service, she was a member of the Pan American Health Organization and spent a number of years doing research and training across Latin America and the Caribbean. Verhonick was an early leader in advocating clinical nursing research and was recognized internationally for her research in the care of decubitus ulcers and the skin.

Harriet H. Werley was a recognized nurse researcher and informatician whose contributions to clinical research led to her becoming the first nurse researcher at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. She co-created the Nursing Minimum Data Set in 1991, a classification system which allows for the standardized collection of essential nursing data. Werley also served as the founding editor of Research in Nursing and Health. 

Mary Margaret Williams of Marysville, Ohio, was appointed director of the Lurleen B. Wallace School of Nursing in 1968. With a Ph.D. from Stanford and vast nursing experience, Professor Williams began the challenging work required to establish the nursing program at Jacksonville State University.

Marilyn D. Willman was a leading nurse educator and pioneer for health equity curriculum. After establishing four additional nursing programs within the University of Texas system, Willman dedicated the remainder of her career to advancing the nursing programs at the University of British Columbia. She was a strong champion of nursing education and launched Canada’s second nursing PhD program.  

Mary Florence Woody was a leading nurse administrator and educator. Woody was an advocate for the integration of professional organizations in the nursing profession. She was the founding Dean at the Auburn University School of Nursing before returning to Emory University as both the Director of Nursing and the Associate Hospital Director. At Emory, Woody helped establish a collaborative model that allowed hospital nurses to teach students and nursing faculty to maintain clinical practice and created new positions for nurses in transplantation medicine.