Two Arizona Nursing Faculty Selected as Fellows in The American Academy of Nursing

June 26, 2019

On June 18, The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) announced that two University of Arizona College of Nursing professors will join 231 other distinguished nurse leaders in the Academy’s 2019 class of Academy fellows. Associate Professors Sheila M. Gephart, PhD, RN and Ruth E. Taylor-Piliae, PhD, RN, FAHA will be welcomed into the AAN during the Academy's annual policy conference, Transforming Health, Driving Policy, which takes place October 24-26, 2019 in Washington, D.C.


"Dr. Gephart’s and Dr. Taylor-Piliae’s exceptional record of accomplishments makes them uniquely qualified for this highly competitive national award.  We are so proud of Shelia and Ruth, congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition, and look forward to celebrating with them in October.” ~ Ki Moore, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean, UA Nursing


Currently comprised of more than 2,600 nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy, and research, the AAN serves the public and the nursing profession by advancing health policy, practice, and science through organizational excellence and effective nursing leadership. The Academy's fellows are nursing's most accomplished leaders in education, management, practice, and research. They have been recognized for their extraordinary commitment to the promotion of the public’s health through evidence and innovation. 

Through a competitive process, Drs. Gephart and Taylor-Piliae were selected based on their contributions to increase access, reduce cost, and improve quality through nursing theory, practice, and science. Induction into the Academy is a significant milestone in a nurse leader’s career where their accomplishments are honored by those within the nursing discipline.

“Induction as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing is one of the most prestigious honors for nursing leaders and based on specific evidence of outstanding contributions to the improvement of nursing and/or health care at national or international level,” said UA Nursing Dean Ki Moore, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “Dr. Gephart’s and Dr. Taylor-Piliae’s exceptional record of accomplishments makes them uniquely qualified for this highly competitive national award.  We are so proud of Shelia and Ruth, congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition, and look forward to celebrating with them in October.”

Dr. Gephart studies technical and parent-engaged solutions to reduce the burden of necrotizing enterocolitis. Her methodological expertise in spreading innovations using informatics, especially clinical decision support technologies, has included algorithm development and testing of tools to measure Electronic health record related unintended consequences. The goal of Dr. Taylor-Piliae’s research is to increase physical activity among older adults with heart disease and stroke through the implementation of innovative interventions such as Tai Chi, to improve physical functioning, reduce fall rates and improve quality of life.

“I am proud to welcome this incredible class of leaders to the American Academy of Nursing," said Academy President Karen Cox, PhD, RN, FACHE, FAAN. "Their amazing accomplishments have changed health and health care across the country and around the globe. I look forward to celebrating the new fellows at our 2019 policy conference and working with them in the future so that our collective knowledge can impact and influence health policy."