Newswise — Kathleen A. Dracup, RN, PhD, FNP, FAAN, founding co-editor of the American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC), received the highest honor in the American Academy of Nursing recently when she was named a Living Legend for her contributions to nursing and healthcare.
Dracup is an educator and researcher with nearly 50 years of experience in cardiovascular nursing and research in the care of patients with heart disease.
A member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) since 1974, she served as nurse co-editor of AACN’s first scientific journal, Heart & Lung, for more than a decade and then as co-editor of AJCC from its launch in 1992 until 2009.
During her 17-year tenure as AJCC co-editor, the bimonthly journal gained recognition for its unique multidisciplinary focus. Today, the peer-reviewed scientific journal provides more than 101,000 subscribers access to leading-edge clinical research that focuses on evidence-based practice applications.
She holds the rank of dean emeritus and professor emeritus of the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing, where she taught from 2000 until her retirement in 2010.
Her many honors include being named AACN’s Distinguished Research Lecturer in 1991 and receiving the association’s Marguerite Rodgers Kinney Award for a Distinguished Career in 2009.
A member of the Institute of Medicine, she is recognized nationally and internationally for her research in the care of patients with chronic cardiac disease and the effects of this disease on the patient’s family.
The academy’s board of directors recognizes a small group of fellows as Living Legends each year. To be eligible, a Living Legend must have been a fellow for at least 15 years and have demonstrated extraordinary and sustained contributions to nursing and healthcare throughout their career.
Since the recognition started in 1994, 88 Living Legends have been selected. All Living Legends have distinguished careers that have improved the health of the nation through notable contributions to nursing practice, research, and education.
The 2014 Living Legends were recognized Oct. 16, 2014, during the academy's annual policy conference in Washington, D.C.
About the American Journal of Critical Care: The American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC), a bimonthly scientific journal published by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, provides leading-edge clinical research that focuses on evidence-based practice applications. Established in 1992, it includes clinical and research studies, case reports, editorials and commentaries. AJCC enjoys a circulation of more than 101,000 acute and critical care nurses and can be accessed at www.ajcconline.org.
About the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Founded in 1969 and based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACN joins together the interests of more than 500,000 acute and critical care nurses and claims more than 235 chapters worldwide. The organization’s vision is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. www.aacn.org; facebook.com/aacnface; twitter.com/aacnme
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