Nurse Practitioners - The Legacy of Loretta Ford

In recognition of Nurse Practitioner Week, the Department of Veterans Affairs would like to recognize World War II Veteran and internationally renowned nursing leader who transformed the profession of nursing by co-founding the nurse practitioner profession, Dr. Loretta C. Ford. Ford served her country as a nurse in the United States Army Air Force, working at several stateside military bases before returning to school to attain her college degree at the University of Colorado. Dr. Ford worked as a public health nurse in rural Colorado in the 1940s and 1950s where she identified a shortage of physicians for her pediatric patients and their families, leading Dr. Ford to an interest in advanced medical training for nurses. In 1965, Dr. Ford and pediatrician Dr. Henry Silver created the pediatric nurse practitioner program at the University of Colorado. In addition to providing much needed care to Colorado's rural patients, this program incorporated social, psychological, environmental, and economic factors to better understand the needs of patients. This transformation changed the profession of nursing, ultimately making healthcare more accessible to the public. In 1972, as this program became a national success, she was recruited by the University of Rochester School of Nursing to be the Founding Dean of their nurse practitioner program. Her program used a holistic approach to nursing education and was designed to include education, research, and clinical practice in the training of nurses. Dr. Ford, now approaching her 102nd birthday, is known as the mother of nurse practitioners and remains an active member of American Association of Nurse Practitioners, serving as a consultant and providing inspiring lectures. Dr. Ford is the author of more than 100 publications and holds many honorary Doctoral degrees. Dr. Ford's many awards include the Living Legend Award from the American Academy of Nursing, the Gustav O. Lienhard Award from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, is a member of the National Women's Hall of Fame and has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs employees over 7,100 nurse practitioners, each proudly serving America's heroes. #NP Week, #Loretta Ford, #Nurse Practitioners