Dr. Leffers, an educator for more than 30 years, one of six Academy fellows representing Massachusetts in the 2015 class
UMass Dartmouth College of Nursing Professor Emeritus Jeanne Leffers, PhD, RN has been selected to be inducted into American Academy of Nursing Announces 2015 Class of New Fellows. The Academy will induct 163 Nurse Leaders during its annual policy conference, Transforming Health, Driving Policy, on October 17th, 2015, in Washington, D.C. Dr. Leffers, who resides in Warren, Rhode Island, is one of six Academy fellows representing Massachusetts in the 2015 class.
Jeanne Leffers was an educator for more than 30 years, teaching nursing, sociology, environmental health and global health courses at UMass Dartmouth and University of Rhode Island. She earned her bachelor's degree at Simmons College, a master's degree in nursing from the University of Rhode Island and in sociology from Brown University, and a PhD in Sociology from Brown University. As a faculty member she was involved with curriculum development, program evaluation, diversity initiatives, service learning, international programs, sustainability, and the development of graduate programs. Dr. Leffers regularly brought nursing students to the Dominican Republic to offer care to needy persons, and to broaden the students' knowledge of poverty and diversity. Her courses focused on the disadvantaged populations and topics related to social justice. She is also the co-author with Fall River native Rear Admiral Julia Plotnick (Ret.) of "Volunteering at Home and Abroad: The Essential Guide for Nurses."
Joining Dr. Leffers in the 2015 Academy Massachusetts fellow class are Jeffrey M. Adams, PhD, RN of Massachusetts General Hospital, Jean Connor, PhD, RN, CPNP of Boston Children's Hospital, Patricia A. Daoust, MSN, RN, BS of Massachusetts General Hospital, and Ruth Palan Lopez, PhD, GNP-BC, FGSA of MGH Institute of Health Professions.
The Academy fellows, with the addition of this newest class, represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 24 countries.
The Academy is currently comprised of more than 2,300 nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy and research. Academy fellows include hospital and government administrators, college deans and renowned scientific researchers.
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. New fellows will be eligible to use the FAAN credential (fellow of the American Academy of Nursing) after the induction ceremony takes place in October.
UMass Dartmouth distinguishes itself as a vibrant public university actively engaged in personalized teaching and innovative research, and acting as an intellectual catalyst for regional economic, social, and cultural development. UMass Dartmouth's mandate to serve its community is realized through countless partnerships, programs, and other outreach efforts to engage the community, and apply its knowledge to help address local issues and empower others to facilitate change for all.