Elder chosen as fellow of national nursing organization

University of Florida College of Nursing Associate Professor Jennifer Elder, R.N., Ph.D., has been elected a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

The academy awards fellowships to those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to effective nursing through practice, research, creative development, scholarly work, the influence of public policy or a combination of these. Fellows also must show the potential to continue making significant contributions to the field of nursing.

Elder has spent much of her career developing, implementing and evaluating innovative training and health-care delivery models for underserved populations. Her 20-year research program with autistic children has been funded by three National Institute of Nursing Research grants and has received national attention. She is a co-founder of Arbor House in Gainesville, a shelter for pregnant homeless women that utilizes counseling, parent education and health promotion.

In addition, Elder was a driving force in the development of a nurse-led educational and service delivery program to Pignon, Haiti. Through her commitment to the project, numerous trips have been made with student volunteers, nurses and others to educate Haitian nurses and medical staff, provide basic health care and perform immunizations.

The American Academy of Nursing was established in 1973 to provide leadership to the nursing profession and the public in shaping future health-care policy and practice that optimizes the well-being of the American people.