Five nurse leaders in the UK who are “changing the future of health and health care” through their work, have been awarded prestigious fellowships.
The nurses have been inducted into the American Academy of Nursing’s 2023 class of fellows alongside around 250 others from around the world.
“My hope is that it will inspire more Black and Brown nursing colleagues in the UK to become more visible”
Ruth Oshikanlu
The five UK nurses who have been selected are Professor Parveen Ali from the University of Sheffield, Dr Joanne Cooper from NHS England, Professor Molly Courtenay from Cardiff University, Professor Ann Gallagher from Brunel University London, and independent nursing leader Dr Ruth Oshikanlu.
The 2023 fellowships come in the academy’s 50th anniversary year. There are now around 3,000 academy fellows who together represent nursing’s “most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice and academia”, the organisation said.
The new inductees have shared their thoughts with Nursing Times.
Dr Oshikanlu, a nurse, midwife and health visitor who works independently as a coach and expert on parenting and pregnancy as well as business, said she was “delighted” to be selected as a fellow.
She added: “It is an honour to be recognised as one of nursing’s most accomplished leaders based on my contributions and the impact I have made to advance the public’s health.
“The fellowship will afford me the opportunity to collaborate with other nursing leaders and nurse entrepreneurs, nationally and globally, to improve health outcomes of marginalised populations and achieve health equity.
“My hope is that it will inspire more Black and Brown nursing colleagues in the UK to become more visible by showcasing their achievements and the difference they have made to those they serve, the legacy they are leaving for the profession, and consider putting themselves forward for a fellowship such as this in which competence and contributions to society are recognised.”
Dr Cooper is head of nursing research (research transformation) at NHS England. She is on secondment from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, where she also held a research leadership role.
She said being selected as a fellow was an honour and was positive “on several levels”.
“It is a great honour to receive recognition from the academy”
Ann Gallagher
“Personally, this is recognition by peers for my contribution to the profession spanning research, policy and practice,” said Dr Cooper.
“I have, and continue, to be a leader championing the advancement of nurses in leading, delivering and participating in research.”
She further said: “The fellowship also recognises the great work that we were able to achieve at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, including award winning programmes such as the Chief Nurse Junior Fellowship Programme and Shared Governance.
“And of course, now nationally I am honoured to be part of a team that is driving forward change through the CNO England Strategic Plan for Research, a pivotal policy direction that is helping build partnerships with [National Institute for Health and Care Research] colleagues and system partners to make sustainable change for the benefit of nursing and our public.”
As an American Academy of Nursing fellow, Dr Cooper said she hoped to participate in relevant expert panels.
The academy encourages all its fellows to take part in the expert panels for which they have expertise. The panels aim to develop new knowledge and shape policy on key health and nursing issues such as acute and critical care, genomic nursing, LGBT health, and emerging infectious diseases.
Fellow inductee Professor Courtenay works in the School of Healthcare Sciences at Cardiff University and has a background in intensive care nursing.
Her education and research career has focused on the topic of prescribing and medicines management by nurses.
“This year’s group of inductees truly represents today’s thought leaders”
Kenneth R. White
Reflecting on her fellowship, Professor Courtenay said: “It’s an honour to have been selected for a fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing for my research in the areas of nurse prescribing and antimicrobial stewardship, and the impact my work has had in improving health globally.
“I look forward to joining the academy and being able to influence the future education of the nursing profession.”
Meanwhile, Professor Gallagher is head of the Department of Health Sciences at Brunel University London, editor-in-chief of the journal Nursing Ethics, and a professor of ethics and care.
She said: “It is a great honour to receive recognition from the academy for leadership in the field of nursing ethics as editor-in-chief of the international journal Nursing Ethics, and for research and scholarship that contributes to the promotion of ethical care practices, particularly relating to the care of older persons.”
Also inducted is Professor Parveen Ali, professor of nursing and gender-based violence at University of Sheffield and Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
At the university, Prof Ali leads the master’s in advanced nursing studies and is a deputy director of research and innovation in the health sciences school.
Her role at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals is focused on getting nurses, midwives and allied health professionals involved in research.
Prof Ali is also editor-in-chief of International Nursing Review.
Kenneth R. White, president of the American Academy of Nursing, said: “This year’s group of inductees truly represents today’s thought leaders and the diversity of our profession’s policy leaders, practitioners, educators and innovators.
“Each fellow of the academy is changing the future of health and health care through their support to advance equity, promote inclusion, and lift up the next generation of nurses, advancing the academy’s vision of healthy lives for all people.”
The fellows will be officially inducted at the academy’s annual health policy conference in Washington DC in October 2023.