National nursing group names UT Arlington interim dean as fellow
Only influential named to prestigious academy
The American Academy of Nursing has named Jennifer Gray, interim dean of the UT Arlington College of Nursing, as one of 172 nursing leaders from across the United States to be inducted into its 2013 Class of Fellows.
The award is intended to honor nurses whose careers have “influenced health policies and the heath and well-being of all,” according to the Academy, which has more than 2,000 members. Academy Fellows include hospital and government administrators, college deans and renowned scientific researchers.
“UT Arlington’s College of Nursing has an exceptional reputation for having a forward-looking vision in ensuring that technology is used appropriately for enhancement of classroom and clinical teaching,” said Vistasp Karbhari, president of The University of Texas at Arlington. “I commend Dean Gray and her colleagues for their exceptional dedication to meeting the national challenge of positively transforming health care through the education of nurses.”
“Dr. Gray has distinguished herself through her work as an educator, a researcher and by her passion for improving health for people around the world through nursing initiatives,” said Vistasp Karbhari, president of The University of Texas at Arlington. “We are pleased to see her receive this well-deserved recognition by such a prestigious national organization.”
Gray holds the George W. and Hazel M. Jay Professorship in Nursing at UT Arlington and was named interim dean of the nearly 8,000 student-strong College of Nursing this spring.
In addition to teaching and mentoring, Gray’s career has focused on furthering HIV/AIDS research and global health issues. This summer, she will take her seventh trip to Uganda to help develop the research capacity of nurses and provide in-service education for nurses in rural areas affected by the disease.
“The international work that led to being named a Fellow was made possible by the Jay Professorship, a committed team of nurses and supportive colleagues,” Gray said. “I happily share this honor with my Ugandan partners whose leadership inspires me.”
Members of the 2013 Class of Fellows are to be officially inducted at the Academy of Nursing’s 40thannual meeting in October in Washington, D.C.
“Selection for fellowship in the Academy is one of the most prestigious honors in the field of nursing,” Academy president Joanne Disch said in a statement. “I congratulate all of the new fellows and look forward to honoring their accomplishments and welcoming them into the Academy.”
Gray has received numerous other honors in teaching and healthcare, including the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation’s Piper Professor award, the UT System Board of Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, the UT Arlington Faculty Service Award and the Great 100 Nurses of Dallas and Fort Worth award.
Gray also is the principal investigator on a three-year, $419,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that will be used to address cultural disparities in health research and patient care.
Other UT Arlington nursing faculty members who are American Academy of Nursing fellows are Elizabeth Poster, Beth Mancini, Judy LeFlore and Jeannette Crenshaw, as well as professors emeritus Myrna Pickard and Karen Heusinkveld.
The UT Arlington College of Nursing is one of the largest and most successful nursing programs in the country, with a 94 percent graduation rate and a 90 percent licensure testing pass rate for graduates entering the field. For more about the UT Arlington College of Nursing, visit http://www.uta.edu/nursing/.
The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive research institution of almost 33,800 students and more than 2,200 faculty members in the heart of North Texas. Visit www.uta.edu to learn more.
Media contact: Traci Peterson, tpeterso@uta.edu, 817-272-9208
The University of Texas at Arlington, www.uta.edu
Tags:
