American Academy of Nursing

October 17, 2011

Disch Assumes American Academy of Nursing Presidency
Academy elects new President, Treasurer, and Board of Directors at their Annual Meeting

Washington, DC (October 17, 2011) – After two years as President-elect and board member of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), Joanne Disch, PhD, RN, FAAN, was inducted as President of the organization’s Board of Directors on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at its 38^th Annual Conference and Meeting.

Dr. Joanne Disch, Clinical Professor and Director of the Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership, and the Katherine R. and C. Walton Lillehei Chair in Nursing Leadership at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, accepted the gavel from outgoing President Catherine L. Gilliss, DNSc, RN, FAAN.

The Academy’s new leadership includes Diana J. Mason, PhD, RN, FAAN, of Hunter College, City University of New York, serving as the Academy’s President-elect; Lauren S. Aaronson, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the University of Kansas School of Nursing, the Academy’s Treasurer; and Eileen M. Sullivan-Marx, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, as a Board member. Colleen Goode, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, of the University of Colorado School of Nursing, andSally Rankin, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the University of California San Francisco School of Nursing, were re-elected to the Board for their second term. They join current Secretary Karen Cox, PhD, RN, FAAN, from Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics; and current board members Judith Baggs, PhD, RN, FAAN, from the Oregon Heath & Science University, School of Nursing; David M. Keepnews, PhD, JD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, from the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing at Hunter College, City University of New York; and Terri Weaver, PhD, RN, FAAN, from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing.

“The Academy is well positioned to advance nursing’s voice to positively enhance health outcomes. I look forward to ensuring the Academy is at the forefront of these conversations,” said Disch. “We will continue to share accomplishments of the Academy’s Raise the Voice Edge Runners and other innovation solutions with policy makers.”  

Dr. Disch has extensive experience as educator, chief nurse executive, researcher, policy-maker, and spokesperson. She served as board member and then Chairman of the National Board of AARP, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons, from 2006 to 2008.  She also served as President of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), and President of the AACN Certification Board; chaired the American Nurses Association's Committee on Nursing Practice Standards and Guidelines and the University Healthcare Consortium's Council of Chief Nurse Executives. Currently, she is a Contributing Editor for the American Journal of Nursing, and is on the Boards of Directors for the National Center for Healthcare Leadership and Aurora Health Care.

“Joanne upholds a tradition of outstanding individuals who have been honored as President of the Academy,” said Academy CEO Cheryl G. Sullivan. “Joanne’s extensive leadership background will enable her to serve the public and the nursing profession well and influence health policy by advancing evidence based innovations and health care delivery.”

Contact: Kat Piscatelli
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The American Academy of Nursing (www.AANnet.org) anticipates and tracks national and international trends in health care, while addressing resulting issues of health care knowledge and policy. The Academy’s mission is to serve the public and nursing profession by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge.