Kathryn Fiandt, D.N.Sc., associate professor in the UNMC College of Nursing, has been selected as a fellow in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and has received a Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellowship. She is being recognized for the expertise and leadership she has exhibited throughout her 28-year career as a nurse practitioner.
Dr. Fiandt, a family nurse practitioner, also is the clinical director of the Family Health Care Center, a nursing clinic that provides health care to underserved populations. The center has provided primary and psychiatric mental health care since 1993 and is a practice site for eight College of Nursing faculty members.
Such roles led the AANP Fellow Program to select Dr. Fiandt for their program. The program honors nurse practitioner leaders noted for their contributions to health care in clinical practice, research, and in education or policy. The organization is the largest and only full-service member driven national professional organization for nurse practitioners.
“Dr. Fiandt’s outstanding leadership is clearly demonstrated in her dedication to expert clinical practice, sound education of family nurse practitioner students, and improvement of health policy in relation to nurse practitioners and their clients,” said Polly Hulme, Ph.D., associate professor, UNMC College of Nursing.
Dr. Fiandt also was selected for her development of leadership and mentorship.
“I am pleased and honored by the recognition from my peers, especially since this honor acknowledges achievements in practice, health policy leadership, and scholarship as well as nurse practitioner education,” she said.
As a fellow of the AANP Dr. Fiandt will be participating in “think tank” discussions and working on health care policy, practice, health professional education, and mentoring future leaders.
The Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellowship also recognizes leaders in the field, and is a three-year advanced leadership program for nurses in senior executive roles in health services involving training for skills necessary to improve leadership skills. This fellowship is a highly competitive and prestigious program.
“Only 20 nurse leaders are selected in the country each year out of an applicant pool that’s many times that number,” said Virginia Tilden, D.N.Sc., dean and professor, UNMC College of Nursing. “This award reflects Dr. Fiandt’s personal abilities and stature as a leader in clinical nursing practice in the country.”
Dr. Fiandt sees this fellowship as an opportunity to build on her leadership skills. “I felt I was ready to take on more leadership within the college, state and nation, and I will benefit from the support and infrastructure that the Fellowship provides to enhance my leadership skills,” she said.
The fellowship involves at least four training sessions. In addition to a project each nurse must complete working towards improving health care on a local and national level. Dr. Fiandt’s project will focus on expanding nurse practitioner graduate knowledge and skills in chronic care management.
“The College of Nursing is proud of Dr. Fiandt for being selected by these two premier health related organizations,” Dr. Tilden said. “We wish her much success in the programs, and look forward to the ways she will bring the program’s benefits to her career and to the college.”