By Rosanne Fohn
Three faculty members from the School of Nursing at UT Health San Antonio will become fellows of the American Academy of Nursing in October. Fellowship is one of the highest honors nurses can receive.
The selection of Maria Danet Lapiz Bluhm, Ph.D., M.S.C.I., RN; Janna Lesser, Ph.D., RN; and Carole White, Ph.D., RN, was announced this summer.
“Being selected signifies to all in the nursing profession that these are exceptional national leaders in their areas of expertise. We are truly proud of them,” said Eileen T. Breslin, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing.
Dr. Bluhm is an associate professor, director of international programs and co-director of the Bio-Behavioral Laboratory in the School of Nursing. A native of the Philippines who earned educational degrees in several different countries, she has seen how trauma and stress are experienced by people in similar ways, regardless of their location and culture. These experiences have influenced her interest in studying the biological, psychological and social factors that affect stress in vulnerable populations.
Dr. Lesser is a professor and directs the South Texas Area Health Education Center Program and the Center for Community-Based Health Promotion with Women and Children, both based in the School of Nursing. The South Texas AHEC provides administrative support to bring stakeholders and faculty members together to improve overall health in communities, Other goals are to raise the delivery of health care, diversify health care providers in the region and improve educational opportunities for residents.
Dr. White is a professor and directs the School of Nursing’s Caring for the Caregiver Program, which offers programs to improve the quality of life for family caregivers and their loved ones. The program offers education and information about what to expect in the different stages of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia; hands-on skills workshops; social engagement opportunities for caregivers and loved ones; support groups; research; and outreach to those living in rural communities. Through the program’s leadership, San Antonio was recently named a Dementia Friendly City.
The UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing currently has 12 AAN fellows including Carrie Jo Braden, Ph.D., RN, FAAN; Dr. Breslin; Lisa Cleveland, Ph.D., RN, PNP-BC, IBCLC, FAAN; Sara L. Gill, Ph.D., RN, IBCLC, FAAN; Patty L. Hawken, Ph.D., RN, FAAN; Carol Reineck Huebner, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, CENP, FAAN; Jacqueline McGrath, Ph.D., RN, FNAP, FAAN; Ken Miller, Ph.D., FNP-BC, FAANP FAAN; Beverly H. Robinson, Ph.D., RN, FAAN; Norma Martinez Rogers, Ph.D., RN, FAAN; Kathleen R. Stevens, RN, Ed.D., ANEF, FAAN; and Jing Wang, Ph.D., RN, FAAN.
“With this year’s inductions, the number (of AAN fellows at UT Health San Antonio) will grow to 17 fellows, demonstrating the School of Nursing’s excellence,” said Jacqueline McGrath, Ph.D., RN, professor and vice dean for faculty excellence in the School of Nursing.
This year’s AAN fellowship class is made up of 231 highly distinguished nurse leaders representing 38 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and 17 countries. The group will be inducted during the AAN’s annual policy conference, Oct. 24-26 in Washington, D.C.