Pioneering Dean of the School of Nursing, Loretta C. Ford, Inductee into National Women's Hall of Fame.
Loretta C. Ford, an internationally renowned nurse leader and pioneer in the nursing profession, has been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. The announcement was made earlier this year, recognising Ford's significant contributions to nursing and health care policy.
Ford, who passed away on January 22, 2025, at the age of 104, is celebrated for her transformative work in nursing education and policy. She served as the founding dean of the University of Rochester School of Nursing and was instrumental in implementing the unification model of practice, education, and research.
In 1972, Ford became the founding Dean of the University of Rochester School of Nursing, where she also co-founded the nurse practitioner model with Henry Silver, M.D., in 1965. This model revolutionised the nursing profession and changed the delivery of health care.
After retirement in 1985, Ford continued to consult and lecture on the historical development of the role of nurse practitioners and on issues related to the advancement of nursing practice and health care policy. The educational mission of the University of Rochester School of Nursing expanded under her leadership, providing both doctoral and post-doctoral training.
The National Women's Hall of Fame, the nation's oldest membership organization recognising the achievements of great American women, inducts inductees every two years based on their lasting contributions to society through various fields. This year, Ford joins a distinguished group including Susan B. Anthony, Dr. Dorothy Haight, Maya Lin, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Rosa Parks.
The induction ceremony for the National Women's Hall of Fame will take place on September 30 and October 1 in Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the American Women's Rights Movement. This event marks a significant milestone in honouring Ford's legacy and her lasting impact on the nursing profession and health care policy.
Today, there are more than 140,000 nurse practitioners in the United States, a testament to the enduring influence of Ford's work. Her induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame serves as a reminder of her significant contributions to the field of nursing and the broader society.
Science flourished under Ford's leadership, with her research in women's health contributing significantly to health-and-wellness. Her educational initiatives in nursing, such as the nurse practitioner model, have left an everlasting impact on education-and-self-development in this field.
