The nursing and healthcare community deeply mourns the loss of Dr. Loretta C. Ford, EdD, RN, PNP, FAAN, FAANP, a trailblazing innovator and visionary in nursing. Dr. Ford, renowned worldwide for her pivotal role in co-founding the nurse practitioner (NP)
profession, passed away peacefully at her home in Florida on Jan. 22 at 104. Her extraordinary contributions have revolutionized healthcare delivery and globally expanded patient access to quality care.
“Dr. Ford’s vision, determination, and transformational leadership have enriched nursing opportunities and significantly improved patients worldwide,” said AANP President Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP. “Her legacy lives on through the more than 385,000 NPs licensed in the United States and their international colleagues, who provide comprehensive, high-quality, patient-centered care. Dr. Ford’s contributions to healthcare will be remembered and cherished always. She was truly one of the legends of nursing.”
Dr. Ford began her illustrious career as a public nurse in rural Colorado during the 1940s and 1950s, where she witnessed firsthand the critical need for better healthcare services in underserved areas. Recognizing these challenges, she partnered with pediatrician Dr. Henry K. Silver in 1965 to establish the first nurse practitioner program at the University of Colorado, setting the stage for a new era in patient care.
After an impressive tenure that included serving as dean and professor emerita at the University of Rochester, Dr. Ford transitioned to semi-retirement in 1985. Even then, she remained an influential consultant and lecturer, steadfastly advocating for the NP profession. Her groundbreaking work earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious U.S. Surgeon General’s Medallion in 2020, underscoring her unparalleled contributions to public health and medicine.
“Dr. Ford was everything that one would expect from a trailblazer, thought leader, and compassionate NP,” said AANP CEO Jon D. Fanning, MS, CAE, CNED. “She made everyone she interacted with feel special, and her words of wisdom were legendary. As we mourn the loss, we also celebrate the time we had with this nursing icon. She will be missed but never forgotten.”
Dr. Ford’s influence extended far beyond her professional accomplishments. She was a mentor, friend, and source of inspiration to countless individuals in the nursing community. Her words continue to resonate, encouraging future generations of nurse practitioners to pursue excellence in their work.
“As nurses, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others every single day,” Dr. Ford once said. “We must constantly seek new ways to improve patient care and outcomes.”
As the nursing and healthcare communities reflect on her remarkable life, Dr. Ford’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to healthcare will continue to serve as a guiding light for nurse practitioners and healthcare professionals around the world. Her legacy is one of profound impact, shaping the future of nursing and patient care for generations to come.
The post Healthcare Community Honors the Legacy of Dr. Loretta Ford first appeared on Daily Nurse.