The American Academy of Nursing’s (Academy) Commemorative Legacy Matching Campaign honors and celebrates the extraordinary lives and lasting contributions of our Fellows and Honorary Fellows who have passed. With the generous support of an anonymous donor who has gifted $25,000, in honor of the late April Hazard Vallerand, PhD, RN, FAAN, this campaign provides a meaningful way to remember the individuals who have shaped the Academy, the nursing profession, and the health of our communities through their dedication, leadership,
and passion. Academy Fellows are the heart of the organization, and their influence continues to resonate within our Fellowship and beyond. By giving a gift through this campaign,
donors have the opportunity to recognize those who have passed by adding a leaf to the Academy Tree of Wisdom.
It is the hope of this anonymous donor to match their level of giving so that the Academy’s commitment
to impacting policy through nursing leadership, innovation,
and science remains strong. From policy actions and dialogues to mentorship and collaboration, the Academy’s work could not be timelier. Donations can be made through September 30, 2025. The honorees recognized through donations received by September 30, 2025, will have their names displayed during the 2025 Academy’s Health Policy Conference in Washington, DC.
The Academy’s Tree of Wisdom serves as a living tribute to those who have passed, with a symbolic leaf representing each individual honoree. Donations made in memory of a Fellow or
Honorary Fellow will be added to this tree, with each leaf bearing the name and induction year of the individual being honored.
Please note: When donating, enter the first and last name of the person you are honoring in the “In memory of” field and type “Commemorative Legacy Campaign” in the Donor Comments box to ensure your honoree is added to the tree.
To ensure clarity and a comprehensive manner for remembrance, the leaves on the tree are organized alphabetically by the last name of the individual being honored. Those whose last names begin with “A” will appear on the left side of the tree, while those with last names starting with “Z” will be placed on the right.
Honorees
The names of honorees for this campaign will be listed below alphabetically.
Corinne M. Barnes, PhD, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 1980
Hattie Bessent, EdD, MS, FAAN, Inducted in 1991
Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 1990
Marion Broome, PhD, MN, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 1994
Billye Brown, EdD, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 1984
Luther Christman, PhD, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 1974
Brenda Cleary, PhD, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 1994
Loressa Cole, DNP, MBA, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 2020
Rhetaugh G. Dumas, PhD, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 1973
Betty L. Evans, PhD, FAAN, Inducted in 1974
Claire Fagin, PhD, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 1975
Juanita W. Fleming, PhD, FAAN, Inducted in 1974
Fannie Gaston-Johansson, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 1992
Bea Kalisch, PhD, FAAN, Inducted in 1978
Miyong Kim, PhD, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 2004
Jeanette Kissinger, EdD, RN, ANP, CHTP
Bernadine M. Lacey, EdD, RN, FAAN, Inducted 1990
Trinidad & Mercedes Limbo
Lucy N. Marion, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP, Inducted in 1996
Margaret Ruth McCorkle, PhD, RN, FAPOS, FAAN, Inducted in 1979
Venie Meyer
Joyce Newman Giger, EdD, APRN-BC, FAAN, Inducted in 1994
Hildegard Peplau, PhD, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 1974
Virginia K. Saba, EdD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, Inducted in 1989
Gloria Smith, PhD, RN, MPH, FAAN Inducted in 1978
Toni Tripp-Reimer, PhD, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 2021
April Hazard Vallerand, PhD, RN, FAAN, Inducted in 2005
