Recognized for Pioneering Studies of Nursing Shortages, Impact of Nursing on Patient Outcomes
WASHINGTON—March 22, 2006—Linda Aiken, PhD, RN, has received the 2006 Research!America Raymond and Beverly Sackler Award for Sustained National Leadership. She was recognized for her history of exemplary contributions to the field of nursing research.
Aiken is recognized as the premier authority on causes, consequences and solutions for nursing shortages in the U.S. and around the world. Her research has contributed much to understanding the relationship between nursing care and patient outcomes and has helped improve the quality of nurses' practice environments in hospitals nationwide.
She was honored March 21, 2006, at the 10th Annual Research!America Advocacy Awards gala at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC. Judy Woodruff, broadcast journalist and Research!America board member, served as master of ceremonies. Award benefactors Beverly and Raymond R. Sackler, MD, are long-standing Research!America supporters. Raymond Sackler is a Research!America emeritus director.
"Linda Aiken is one of the world's most prominent experts in nursing research, a field of particular importance given today's nursing shortages," said Mary Woolley, president of Research!America. "She is a true pioneer who has expanded our knowledge of the impact of nursing on health care quality, and Research!America is honored to recognize her for her outstanding achievements."
Aiken is director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research and the Claire M. Fagin Leadership Professor of Nursing and Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. She received the 2005 AcademyHealth Distinguished Investigator Award in Health Services Research, the nation's most prestigious award in health services. She is a member of the Institute of Medicine, former president of the American Academy of Nursing and honorary fellow of the Royal College of Nursing in the United Kingdom.
Other 2006 Research!America Advocacy Award winners are former First Lady Nancy Reagan; Sam Donaldson of ABC News; U.S. Reps. Michael Castle (DE) and Diana DeGette (CO); Gordon Gund, co-founder and chairman, The Foundation Fighting Blindness and CEO of Gund Investment Corporation; and the Center for the Advancement of Health.
Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make medical and health research-including research to prevent disease, disability and injury and to promote health-a much higher national priority. The 2006 Advocacy Awards represent Research!America's 10th year of recognizing the accomplishments of leading advocates for medical and health research.
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