Dear GW Nursing Community,
I could not be more proud to be part of the GW Nursing community as we continue to adapt, inspire, take action, and demonstrate why nurses are the most trusted profession.
Entering summer 2021 semester, the GW School of Nursing began a new chapter with the departure of Dean Pamela Jeffries, who had led the school for six years. Her tenure built upon the legacy of Dr. Jean Johnson, the school’s founding dean, and proved monumental for our young school, helping to ensure that it is on solid footing moving forward, with steady leadership, a strong research portfolio, and student scholarship among its highest priorities. Also, thanks to Dean Jeffries, our school’s national rankings rose, student enrollment grew substantially, and our school is poised for a promising future.
With the future in mind, we look to the National Academy of Medicine’s 2021 report, The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity, which articulates the critical role of nurses in achieving true health equity and eliminating systemic racism. In concert with this, we look to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s new Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Education, which puts forward a new definition and framework for quality in academic nursing. Together, these reports provide nurses and schools of nursing with clear direction for the future to advance our nation’s health.
As you will see in this issue of our e-magazine, the GW School of Nursing is poised for an exciting new chapter and continued success. You can read about how our amazing faculty are bringing real-life leadership experience to the classroom, leading the way by partnering with local organizations to develop “moon shot” solutions for building age-friendly communities, and providing mobile healthcare resources for the less advantaged in Washington, D.C. Further, you can learn about our pioneering students, some of whom are confronting racism head on by organizing an antiracism student group and others who are maximizing the opportunities that scholarships have afforded them to advance their nursing careers and help their communities.
I hope you enjoy our fall e-magazine. I hope it serves as a reminder of the impactful work we’re doing at the GW School of Nursing and as a broader nursing community. Take care and stay healthy.
Best Regards,
Pamela Slaven-Lee
DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, CHSE
Interim Dean | School of Nursing
The George Washington University