VCU School of Nursing faculty member selected as fellow of American Academy of Nursing
Victoria Menzies, Ph.D., RN, PMHCNS-BC, associate professor in the Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems at the VCU School of Nursing, will receive one of the most prestigious honors in nursing this fall when she is inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). The academy recently selected Menzies as one of 164 nurse leaders to be inducted at the AAN annual meeting in October.
“I am delighted to welcome this superb cohort of talented clinicians, researchers, policy leaders, educators and executives as they join the ranks of the nation’s leading nursing and health care thought leaders,” said Academy President, Bobbie Berkowitz, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. “We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments at our conference, and then working with them to advance the Academy’s mission of transforming health policy and practice by applying our collective nursing knowledge.”
The Academy fellows, with the addition of this newest class, represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 28 countries.
Selection criteria include evidence of significant contributions to nursing and health care and sponsorship by two current Academy fellows. Applicants are reviewed by a panel comprised of elected and appointed fellows, and selection is based, in part, on the extent the nominee’s nursing career has influenced health policies and the health and wellbeing of all. New fellows will be eligible to use the credentials FAAN (fellow of the American Academy of Nursing) after their induction in October.
In addition to demonstrating excellence in teaching, Menzies has made significant contributions to advancing nursing science, largely through a research focus on biobehavioral symptom science among adults who have chronic pain-related conditions. Her research is complemented by years of integrating a variety of guided imagery techniques into clinical practice. She has published findings on several studies; the most recent being her discovery that guided imagery significantly decreases stress, fatigue, pain and depression in women with fibromyalgia.
“We’re excited and proud that Victoria is being recognized at a national level for her outstanding contributions to nursing,” said Jean Giddens, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, professor and dean of the VCU School of Nursing. “Her selection reflects the extraordinary level of talent among our faculty members, as well as their dedication to discoveries that advance nursing and improve health care.“
Menzies will join several current VCU nursing faculty members who have already been recognized as AAN fellows. In addition to Dean Giddens, other fellows include Debra Barksdale, Ph.D., FNP-BC, CNE, FAANP, FAAN; professor and associate dean of academic programs; Deborah McGuire, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, professor and associate dean for research; Leigh Small, Ph.D., RN, CPNP-PC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor and chair of the Department of Family and Community Health Nursing; and Beth Rodgers, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, professor and chair of the Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems. Deborah Zimmermann, DNP, RN, FAAN, assistant dean for clinical programs, chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care services at VCU Health, is also an AAN fellow.
The Academy is comprised of more than 2,400 nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy, and research. Academy fellows include hospital and government administrators, college deans and renowned scientific researchers.
