WASHINGTON, DC—July, 19, 2018—The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) announced its class of 2017 Academy fellows on June 26, 2017. Seven ONS members were included among the highly distinguished nurse leaders who join the ranks of Academy fellows to be celebrated at AAN’s annual policy conference held in Washington, DC, from October 5–7, 2017.
AAN fellows consist of more than 2,500 nurses who have distinguished themselves in areas of education, research, practice, or management. As health leaders, their goal is to enhance the quality of health and nursing, promote healthy aging and human development, and reduce health disparities and inequalities, among a number of other efforts to improve the health care of patients.
The seven ONS members selected to the 2017 AAN fellows represent oncology nurses from seven different states, encompassing a number of oncology fields: Linda Abramovitz, MSN, RN, CNS, BMTCN, Barbara Holmes Gobel, MS, RN, AOCN®, MiKaela Olsen, MS, APRN-CNS, AOCNS®, Marilyn Hammer, PhD, DC, RN, Kathryn J. Trotter, DNP, FAANP, Janine Overcash, PhD, GNP-BC, FAANP, and Kathleen Shannon Dorcy, PhD, RN.
The ONS members selected for the AAN fellowship designation have been recognized for their significant contributions to health care and the nursing profession. To be considered, at least two current Academy fellows are required to sponsor the applicants, and selection is made by committee. In part, the decision was made by examining the candidates’ impact on health care, health policy, and the overall well-being of all.
Hammer, who has worked closely on a number of projects with ONS, including her important role on the 2017 Annual Congress planning team, noted her work with ONS as a key point in her professional history. “Being a member of ONS was an integral part of the path to the Academy,” Hammer said. “I look forward to continued work with ONS leaders and members as we strive to improve the lives of patients with cancer—and work to prevent others from becoming patients.”
ONS is a professional association of more than 39,000 members committed to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and the transformation of cancer care. Since 1975, ONS has provided a professional community for oncology nurses, developed evidence-based education programs and treatment information, and advocated for patient care, all in an effort to improve quality of life and outcomes for patients with cancer and their families. Learn more at www.ons.org.