Oberleitner named American Academy of Nursing Fellow

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The American Academy of Nursing has named a 小蝌蚪APP dean to its 2020 Class of Fellows.

Dr. Melinda Oberleitner, who leads the , is the only Fellow selected from Louisiana. She is among 230 nursing leaders chosen for this year小蝌蚪APP檚 class. They represent 39 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territory of Guam and 13 countries.

Oberleitner is a pioneer in the field of oncology nursing. Her extensive publications have focused on issues relevant to cancer survivors. She became dean of UL Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions in 2018 after nearly a decade as associate dean. She joined the faculty in 1982.

小蝌蚪APP淚 am deeply honored to have been selected as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in recognition of my career-long research and leadership efforts that have influenced oncology nursing strategic planning and policy development at the national level and which drive oncology clinical practice in the United States,小蝌蚪APP Oberleitner said.

She continued: 小蝌蚪APP淚n addition, our research has resulted in the development of evidence-based oncology nursing specific competencies for new graduates of pre-licensure nursing programs, which ensure preparation of a nursing workforce competent to care for cancer survivors at all stages of the cancer continuum, from diagnosis through to the end of life.小蝌蚪APP

The American Academy of Nursing advances health policy and practice through the creation and sharing of nursing knowledge.

Fellows are chosen 小蝌蚪APP渇or their extraordinary contributions to improve health locally and globally,小蝌蚪APP the academy said in a press release announcing the 2020 class. 小蝌蚪APP淲ith more than 2,700 Fellows, the Academy represents nursing小蝌蚪APP檚 most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia.小蝌蚪APP

小蝌蚪APP淚nduction into the Academy is a significant milestone in a nurse leader小蝌蚪APP檚 career in which their accomplishments are honored by their colleagues within the profession,小蝌蚪APP the press release continued.

Dr. Eileen Sullivan-Marx, the organization小蝌蚪APP檚 president, characterized the 2020 Fellows as 小蝌蚪APP渆xceptional.小蝌蚪APP

小蝌蚪APP淭heir work, across many fields of expertise, exemplifies the power of nursing knowledge in creating meaningful change. As a policy organization, we strive to improve health and achieve health equity through nursing leadership, innovation, and science,小蝌蚪APP she said. 

Inductees will be recognized during the academy小蝌蚪APP檚 annual conference, which will be held virtually in October.

Photo caption: Dr. Melinda Oberleitner is dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions. (Photo credit: Doug Dugas / 小蝌蚪APP)