Angela Starkweather is Named a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing
Angela Starkweather, Ph.D., ACNP-BC, CNRN, associate professor and chair of 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 in the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). The academy recently announced Starkweather as one of 168 nurse leaders who will be inducted at the AAN annual meeting in October in Washington, D.C.
“The American Academy of Nursing welcomes this stellar cohort of new fellows,” said Academy president Diana Mason, Ph.D., RN, FAAN. “As clinicians, researchers, educators, executives, and leaders in all sectors of our society, they are joining the nation’s thought leaders in nursing and health care.”
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.
Starkweather has made significant contributions to advancing nursing science, largely through a research focus on innovative biobehavioral approaches to pain management. She is the principle investigator of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grant to study the influence of genetic factors on pain perception and how this may contribute to an increased risk of chronic low back pain.
“We are very thrilled and proud that Angela’s impact on the nursing profession is being recognized at a national level,” said Jean Giddens, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, professor and dean of the VCU School of Nursing. “Her selection for this honor further demonstrates our distinction as a leader in nursing education, research and practice.“
Starkweather earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Seattle Pacific University, and both her master’s and doctorate degree in nursing from Loyola University Chicago. She will join several VCU nursing faculty who have already been recognized as AAN fellows.
In addition to Dean Giddens, other fellows include Ann Hamric, Ph.D., RN, FAAN; associate dean of academic programs; Mary Jo Grap, Ph.D., RN, ACNP, FAAN, Nursing Alumni Distinguished Professor; Nancy McCain, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Nursing Alumni Distinguished Professor; Deborah McGuire, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, associate dean for research and the Florence E. Elliott Professor; and Leigh Small, Ph.D., RN, CPNP-PC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor and chair of the Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems.
School of Nursing alumnae are also among the new fellows who will be inducted along with Starkweather in October. Alumnae honorees include Peggy A. Guenter, Ph.D., RN (B.S. ‘77/N), senior director of clinical practice, advocacy, and research affairs at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition; Emily Drake, RN, CNL (Ph.D.’05/N, associate professor at the University of Virginia; and Sherry Fox, RN, CNRN (B.S. ’80/N, M.S. ‘89/N, Ph.D. ‘02/N), vice president of the Bon Secours Cancer Institute and director of the Cullather Brain Tumor Quality of Life Center at the Bon Secours Richmond Health System.
The Academy is comprised of more than 2,200 nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy, and research. The fellows, with the addition of this newest class, represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 24 countries.
