American Academy Of Nursing Strengthened By Induction Of Palliative Care Expert

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: Palliative Care / Hospice Care
Article Date: 12 Nov 2009 - 0:00 PST

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Patricia Berry, PhD, APRN, FAAN, associate professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing was formally inducted into the American Academy of Nursing Saturday as one of the 2009 new Fellows. Berry was nominated for this honor by two current Academy Fellows and was selected by the Academy's 15-member Fellow Selection Committee for her outstanding achievements in the nursing profession. The induction of Berry and 97 other nurse leaders took place during the Academy's Annual Awards Ceremony in Atlanta, GA.

"The American Academy of Nursing invites a select group of nursing leaders to become fellows of the academy," said University of Utah College of Nursing Dean and Louis H. Peery Presidential Endowed Chair, Maureen R. Keefe, RN, PhD, FAAN. "This honor is indicative of Dr. Berry's numerous contributions to the field of nursing, particularly in the areas of end-of-life care and pain symptom management." According to Keefe, Berry joins a select group of College of Nursing faculty members who have received this distinguished honor.

The Academy is constituted to anticipate national and international trends in health care, and address resulting issues of health care knowledge and policy. Not only is the invitation to Fellowship recognition of one's accomplishments within the nursing profession, but it also affords the chance to work with other leaders in health care in addressing the issues of the day.

In addition to being a certified gerontological nurse practitioner and an advanced practice palliative care nurse, Berry is associate director, education and practice for the University of Utah's Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence. With 32 years of experience in hospice and palliative care, Berry has contributed to critical policy, educational, and scientific initiatives to improve the management of pain and symptoms, especially for individuals with life-limiting illness and their families. She is a member of the national faculty for the Geriatric End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) and serves on the research committees of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the American Board of Nursing Specialties.

"By sustaining her commitment to pain and symptom management, especially for older adults at the end of life, Dr. Berry will join other members of the Academy as an important force in disseminating nursing knowledge nationally and internationally," said Regina Fink, RN, PhD, FAAN, AOCN, a research nurse scientist with University of Colorado Hospital and one of Berry's nominators. Added Ginette Pepper, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, Helen Lowe Bamberger Colby Endowed Chair in Gerontological Nursing, who joined with Fink in nominating Berry, "One of the most expensive and agonizing aspects of our health care system is inappropriate care at the end of life. Dr. Berry's voice and expertise will help to further the mission of the Academy and assure the promotion of humane and effective health care."

Source: Katie Schrier
University of Utah Health Sciences