A UNIVERSITY of New England professor has earned the achievement of a lifetime after being selected for induction into the American Academy of Nursing.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Professor Cynthia Stuhlmiller is one of 172 leaders in nursing – including five from Australia – chosen for this year’s class of Fellows, something she describes as a “career-long dream”.
Professor Stuhlmiller said she was influenced by such leaders as a young nurse and had hoped to have that kind of impact during her career.
“Selection for fellowship in the Academy is one of the most prestigious honours in the field of nursing,” Academy president Joanne Disch said.
Professor Stuhlmiller began her nursing career in the 1970s and told The Leader she liked being around people and being able to help those who couldn’t help themselves towards recovery.
Her main area of interest is psychiatric mental health.
One of her career highlights was her involvement in the establishment of the first National Centre for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the 1980s for Vietnam War veterans in the USA, at which she developed treatment initiatives that are still used today.
Among her other achievements are shaping disaster response policy, as well as work surrounding online therapies, seasonal affective disorder and education of students on mental health placements.
One of her current projects is the establishment of a student-run health clinic at the Coledale Community Centre.
The clinic was sparked by the lack of placement spaces for nursing students and has gone from strength to strength since its opening in March.
To be considered for induction into the academy a person must have made significant contributions to nursing and healthcare, and have the sponsorship of two Fellows, with selection based in part on how the nominee’s career has influenced health policy and the health of all.
One of Professor Stuhlmiller’s sponsors was Professor Emerita Patricia Benner from the University of California, one of the world’s foremost leaders in nursing and a living legend of the academy – and sponsor of her doctoral studies in the 1980s, for whom she was one of the first students.
She was also sponsored by Professor Emerita Shirley Murphy from the University of Washington.
She will travel to Washington DC in October for the induction ceremony.
