Nurses who led the best way: Loretta C. Ford

Dr. Loretta C. Ford is an internationally recognized nursing leader and founding father of the nurses’ movement, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this 12 months. She received her nursing degree in 1942 from Middlesex General Hospital in New Jersey and commenced her nursing profession as a staff nurse with the Visiting Nurse Association. After three years of service as a lieutenant within the United States Army Air Forces, Ford earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Colorado School of Nursing. In 1961, she received her doctorate in education from the Faculty of Education on the University of Colorado.

In 1965, Ford and pediatrician Henry K. Silver received a grant from the University of Colorado to create an indication project to increase the role of nurses in health care. After publishing their findings, they created a nurse education curriculum. The program was a national success, and in 1972, Ford became founder and dean of the University of Rochester School of Nursing.

She has written over 100 publications, received six honorary doctorates and received many more awardsincluding the Gustav Lienhard Medal from the Institute of Medicine, the Living Legend Award from the American Academy of Nursing, and the Crystal Trailblazer Award from the American College of Nurse Practitioner.

Today, Ford continues to lecture on the nurse movement.