NLN President M. Elaine Tagliareni Tapped for Fellowship in American Academy of Nursing

Professional Leadership and Impact on Nursing Education Recognized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY — May 7, 2009 — With her induction as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing at its annual meeting in November, M. Elaine Tagliareni, EdD, RN, the president of the National League for Nursing, will add the prestigious FAAN credential to her already impressive CV as a leader in nursing education. Dr. Tagliareni was recently invited by the academy to join the elite group of approximately 1,500 fellows who include association executives, university presidents, chancellors and deans, state and federal political appointees, hospital executives, consultants, researchers, and entrepreneurs.

Beyond the recognition of their accomplishments within nursing, AAN fellows make a commitment to advance the mission of the academy and engage with other leaders in health care to transform Americas health care through best practices and policy initiatives.

"I am so gratified by this honor, which represents a public acknowledgment of my long devotion to community health and my dedication to promoting standards of excellence in nursing education, particularly in the preparation of pre-licensure associate degree candidates who, once they graduate, comprise the largest group of RNs in clinical settings," said Dr. Tagliareni, a professor of nursing and chair of the Independence Foundation in Community Health Nursing Education at Community College of Philadelphia (CCP).

Noting that geriatric care is one of the priorities identified by the academy, she added, "I am also grateful for this recognition of my recent work on the National League for Nursing - Community College of Philadelphia collaboration to create a model for teaching geriatric care to pre-licensure students." In 2007-08, Dr. Tagliareni was instrumental in coordinating "Fostering Geriatrics in Associate Degree Nursing Education," and earlier this year, she helped launch "Fostering Geriatrics in Pre-licensure Nursing Education, Phase II." Both the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Independence Foundation have provided grant support for the projects.

"Im delighted to welcome Elaine aboard as a fellow "fellow," said NLN CEO Dr. Beverly Malone. "I have long admired her as a thought leader and nurse educator, and now my colleagues in the American Academy of Nursing will have the benefit of her wisdom and insights, as well."

A nurse educator for 25 years, Dr. Tagliareni received her BSN from Georgetown University; a masters in mental health and community nursing from the University of California, San Francisco; and a doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She was awarded the NLN Mildred Montag Excellence in Leadership Award and the CCP Lindback Foundation Award. As NLN president, Dr. Tagliareni caps years of involvement in league committees and activities, playing a key role in fostering innovation and in promoting the nurse educator as an advanced practice role. In 2008, Dr. Tagliareni was named Pennsylvania Professor of the Year by CASE-Carnegie Foundation and received the 2008 Northeast Regional Faculty Award and the national William H. Meardy Faculty Award from the Association of Community College Trustees.

Reporters/Editors: For interview opportunities, please call Karen R. Klestzick, NLN chief communications officer, at (212) 812-0376 or email kklestzick@nln.org.

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers faculty development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 30,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members who represent all types of nursing education programs.