VCU School of Nursing Alumnae inducted as American Academy of Nursing Fellows
VCU School of Nursing alumnae Susan Gaskins, D.S.N., R.N., ACRN, and Jennifer Matthews, Ph.D., R.N., A-CNS-BC, were among 142 nursing leaders nationwide recently inducted as Fellows during the American Academy of Nursing’s 38th Annual Meeting and Conference in Washington, DC.
“Selection for membership in the Academy is one of the most prestigious honors in the field of nursing,” said Academy president Catherine Gilliss, DNSc, R.N., FAAN. “Academy Fellows are truly experts. The Academy Fellowship represents the nation’s top nurse researchers, policymakers, scholars, executives, educators and practitioners.”
Dr. Gaskins, a professor at the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing, was selected based on her long-standing research, leadership and advocacy in the field of HIV/AIDS nursing care. Her scholarship in HIV care has consistently focused on disadvantaged and special populations with HIV/AIDS – women, older adults, the deaf community, migrant workers and people in rural areas. She was a founding board member of the local AIDS service organizations and was one of the early members of the Association of Nurses in AIDS care, where she served in many capacities. Dr. Gaskins received a B.S.N. from the VCU School of Nursing, an M.P.H. from the University of Pittsburgh and a D.S.N. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Dr. Matthews, a professor of nursing at Shenandoah University, was selected based on her varied techniques to educate and guide master and doctoral students, her influence on grass root, state, national and international policy development, and her commitment to advancing the nursing profession through dedicated service to the American Nurses Association and as a member of the advisory board for the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. She received the VCU 2008 Outstanding Nurse Alumnus Award and was recognized in 2010 by the Virginia Nurses Associations as its Outstanding Member of the Year. Dr. Matthews received her M.S.N. and B.S.N. from the VCU School of Nursing, her master’s degree in Business Management from Troy State university of Alabama and her Ph.D. from George Mason University.
Congratulations to our deserving alumnae!
Dr. Susan Gaskins, D.S.N., R.N., ACRN
Dr. Jennifer Matthews,Ph.D., R.N., A-CNS-BC