Former ASU nursing dean to be honored as 'Living Legend'
Barbara Durand will be recognized by the American Academy of Nursing for her "extraordinary and sustained contributions to nursing and health care."
One of Arizona State University's pioneers in health care is now a true legend.
Barbara Durand, emeritus professor and former dean of College of Nursing & Health Innovation, will be recognized as one of the American Academy of Nursing’s 2014 Living Legends, Oct. 16, at the opening night of the Transforming Health, Driving Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.
“The nurse leaders I have held in the highest regard – my idols, if you will – are all named Living Legends. ... I am grateful and humbled that my work has been deemed important,” said Durand.
To be selected as a Living Legend, honorees must have been a fellow for at least 15 years and “have demonstrated extraordinary and sustained contributions to nursing and health care throughout their career.”
Throughout her decades-long career, Durand has shown time and time again that she has these qualifications.
In 1970, she co-founded the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program at the University of California, which was the first of its kind in the state. Later, Durand was appointed dean of the College of Nursing at ASU.
Under Durand’s leadership, U.S. News and World Report ranked the college’s graduate nursing program as one of the best in the country for the first time in the school’s history. The college has been included on that list ever since, and is now ranked No. 21.
“I loved our college. We had excellent faculty and staff, and evolved into a supportive and tightly knit ‘family,’” said Durand. “Michael Crow was appointed president two years before I retired, so I was pleased to be able to work with this visionary and extraordinary educator and leader.”
College of Nursing & Health Innovation faculty members Jennifer Mensik and Adriana Perez will also be honored during the conference, having been selected for induction as fellows by the academy.
Perez and Mensik were selected because of their leadership in education, management and policy, and work to improve health in our country.
Written by: Kaly Nasiff
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