Six Betty Irene Moore Fellows named fellows in American Academy of Nursing

Oct. 9, 2023

Betty Irene Moore Fellows Dora Clayton-Jones, Yamnia Cortés, Stephanie Gilbertson-White, Mitchell Knisely, Marci Nilsen and Kimberly Souffront were inducted Oct. 7 as fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). 

The Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators achieved a historic milestone over the weekend. The largest group from the fellowship ever — six nurse leaders — were inducted as fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) during the academy’s 50^th annual conference Oct. 5-7 in Washington, D.C.

Inaugural cohort fellow Stephanie Gilbertson-White, associate professor and director of the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program at the University of Iowa College of Nursing, was recognized by the academy for her contributions to nursing leadership along with three fellows from the 2021 cohort. These fellows are Dora Clayton-Jones, associate professor and Arthur J. Schmitt Leadership Fellow at the Marquette University College of Nursing; Yamnia Cortés, associate professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing; and Kimberly Souffront, associate director of the Center for Nursing Research and Innovation at Mount Sinai and assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.

They are joined by two fellows from the 2023 cohort who just began their fellowship journey in July: Mitchell Knisely, associate professor at the Duke University School of Nursing, and Marci Nilsen, assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing and assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Catalysts for change

Clayton-Jones said she is honored to become an academy fellow. She is thankful for the chance to inspire emerging leaders to lead authentically as catalysts for change.

“Growing up in a marginalized community, I have been fortunate to have strong role models, including family members and mentors. My journey started as a candy striper and today I am a scholar mentoring future nurse leaders. I extend my gratitude to the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators for inspiring me to elevate my vision and lead with courage, strength and unwavering confidence,” Clayton-Jones said.

Cortés said it is exciting to be inducted as a academy fellow alongside her peers from the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators.

“I look forward to leveraging our collective expertise to advance health care and promote equity,” Cortés said. 

Knisely said he is particularly honored to share this experience with his fellowship colleagues.

“As a new Betty Irene Moore Fellow, I look forward to the connections to grow my leadership capabilities and opportunities to innovate and collaborate with other nurse leaders to advance nursing and health care,” Knisely said.

Celebrating a historic milestone

Betty Irene Moore Fellows M. Rebecca O'Connor, Mitchell Knisely, Marci Nilsen, Yamnia Cortés, Dora Clayton-Jones, Stephanie Gilbertson-White, Rachel DiFazio, Kimberley Souffront, Michelle Litchman and Dawn Bounds attend the AAN conference.

Since the fellowship’s launch in 2020, a total of 14 Betty Irene Moore Fellows from the program’s four cohorts, along with one Fellowship National Advisory Council member and one program faculty member, have been inducted as AAN fellows.

“It’s truly a joy to see so many people associated with our program successfully join the academy. Our focus is on preparing the next generation of nurse leaders and innovators and these passionate and dedicated Betty Irene Moore fellows are poised to positively shape the future of health care and nursing in this nation,” said fellowship national program director Heather M. Young.

Souffront said that becoming a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing is a testament to the incredible journey she has been on as a Betty Irene Moore Fellow.

“The Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators has been my guiding star, offering mentorship, knowledge and a network of remarkable individuals who have been instrumental in shaping my nursing career. I am deeply grateful for the support and opportunities it has provided me,” Souffront said.

Nilsen agreed.

“I am genuinely honored and thrilled to have been welcomed into the distinguished community of nurse leaders as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. With the invaluable support of my colleagues and the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators, I am dedicated to further cultivating my leadership skills and expanding my collaborations, all in pursuit of championing accessible and equitable health care,” Nilsen said.

A prestigious achievement

Attaining the status of an AAN fellow represents a noteworthy and prestigious achievement in a nurse leader's professional journey, signifying recognition from peers in the field. This year, 235 academy fellows were selected from more than nearly 400 applicants based on their contributions to advance public health.

“Becoming a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing involves a rigorous and highly competitive selection process. I am thrilled to witness this important milestone in our fellows’ lives,” Young said. “I am confident that these incredible nurse leaders will continue to make a profound impact on the field of nursing and effect positive change both in their communities and at a national level."

Academy fellows within this year’s class represent 40 states, the District of Columbia and 13 countries. The academy is currently comprised of more than 3,000 nursing leaders who are experts in policy, research, administration, practice and academia that champion health and wellness, locally and globally.