Passing of beloved Faculty Emeritus Ann Hamric
VCU School of Nursing is sad to report the sudden and unexpected passing of a beloved member of our family, Professor Emeritus Ann B. Hamric, Ph.D., RN, FAAN. An internationally renowned leader in advanced practice nursing and nursing ethics, Dr. Hamric served as professor and associate dean of academic programs at our school from 2011 until her retirement in 2015.
Prior to her VCU appointment, she served as a professor at the University of Virginia School of Nursing for 12 years and as an associate professor at the Louisiana State University School of Nursing for four years.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Hamric was the associate director of nursing for research and development at MCV Hospitals from 1982 to 1991 and also served on the faculty at the VCU School of Nursing from 1976 to 1979.
During her most recent position at VCU, Dr. Hamric enhanced the School of Nursing’s academic programs by leading the launch of a new online format for the Ph.D. program and the modification of master’s degree concentrations to meet industry demands. She also led curriculum development and the launch of the school’s Doctor of Nursing (DNP) program.
Recognized as a trailblazer in nursing and nursing education, Dr. Hamric contributed significant scholarly works to the nursing profession. She was the senior editor of two books on advanced practice nursing used worldwide in nursing education: The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Theory and Practice (which as in its second edition), and Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach (which was in its fifth edition). She also published articles in numerous professional journals, both within and outside of nursing.
The recipient of numerous nursing awards, including the 120 Visionary Leaders award from the VCU School of Nursing in 2013, Dr. Hamric cared deeply about the phenomenon of moral distress in health care professionals, having focused her research on the topic. She developed an instrument that is being widely used internationally to measure moral distress and was invited to speak at nursing schools and conferences worldwide to share her expertise.
Dr. Hamric’s impact at the national level extended over several nursing organizations where she served as a member, including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Task Force that developed Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Essentials. She also served as co-chair of the American Academy of Nursing’s Bioethics Expert Panel.
Dr. Hamric was also a mentor to many nursing students and nurses, helping to guide them to success in the profession. She will truly be missed by many near and far.
Dr. Hamric earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Vanderbilt University, an M.S. in medical-surgical nursing from the University of California at San Francisco and a Ph.D. in nursing with a concentration in ethics from the University of Maryland.
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m., at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, 3601 Seminary Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227. Here is a link to her obituary.
