Nursing Professor Named to American Academy of Nursing 2017 Fellows Class

Melissa Willmarth-Stec, DNP, associate professor at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing has been named to the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) 2017 class of fellows. Stec is one of 173 highly distinguished nurse leaders to be so honored.

Stec’s work focuses on the innovative integration of technology into nursing education by designing a doctoral program that increases student interactivity and advances learning to higher levels. Her contributions led to her being named a 2015 Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE), a 2016 Worldwide ADE and a 2017 ADE Alumni. Stec was also inducted into UC’s Academy of Fellows for Teaching and Learning this year. 

"Becoming a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing recognizes my work on technology integration into nursing education and nursing practice and will help propel the conversations about how students can learn and think differently,” she says. "One of my goals is to ensure that students at all level of nursing education have opportunities to learn in a manner that meets their needs. This fellowship gives me a platform to collaborate with nursing leaders that can help to influence change.”

Fellow selection criteria include evidence of significant contributions to nursing and health care, and sponsorship by two current Academy fellows. Applicants are reviewed by a panel comprised of elected and appointed fellows and selection is based, in part, on the extent the nominee's nursing career has influenced health policies and the health and wellbeing of all.

Stec and the other inductees will be honored at a ceremony during the Academy's annual policy conference, Transforming Health, Driving Policy, which will take place October 5-7, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

"I am proud to welcome this talented cohort of nurses as they join the ranks of the nation's foremost health care thought leaders," says Bobbie Berkowitz, PhD, AAN President. "They bring a rich variety of expertise to the table, and we look forward to recognizing their accomplishments at our policy conference, and then working with them to transform health policy, practice, and research by applying our collective nursing knowledge."