Dr. Michelle Kelly Selected to be Inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
Michelle M. Kelly, PhD, CRNP, CNE, FAANP, associate professor at the Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, has been selected to be inducted as a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Nursing (AAN) on October 7 during its Induction Ceremony, part of AAN's annual Health Policy Conference held October 5-7 in Washington, DC.
Dr. Kelly is a neonatal and pediatric nurse practitioner, educator and scientist who has dedicated her professional career to developing and disseminating the evidence basis for improved health of preterm survivors throughout their lifespan. Dr. Kelly joins 252 other distinguished nurse leaders in her 2023 Class of Fellows, following a competitive, rigorous application process.
Induction into the Academy is a significant milestone in a nurse leader’s career in which their accomplishments are honored by their colleagues within and outside the profession. Fellows are selected based on their contributions and impact to advance the public’s health.
“Dr. Kelly is so deserving of this high honor of becoming a Fellow in the Academy. Her science and skilled, holistic view, both in education and the long-term impacts of premature birth on health, is powerful and will continue to benefit clinicians, researchers and - most importantly - those born prematurely and their families, for many years to come,” explains Donna S. Havens, PhD, RN, FAAN, Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor.
Dr. Kelly’s research supports a key paradigm shift in healthcare, in which understanding of life-long health risks associated with prematurity and its utilization in early treatment plans improve chronic disease management and long-term health for this population.
“I am honored to be inducted into the Academy. I look forward to advancing its mission by generating new knowledge and translating that knowledge to stakeholders to create actionable change in healthcare delivery and policy,” says Dr. Kelly.
Dr. Kelly’s groundbreaking science in this arena has had a significant and sustained impact on healthcare already, with over 400 citations of her research and educational scholarship, including citations from 28 countries. Publications citing her work span disciplines including nursing, medicine, education, psychology, therapy services, and social sciences. She has also lectured internationally in the dissemination of her work.
Dr. Kelly completed a 2-year post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Rhode Island, College of Nursing with Dr. Mary Sullivan’s NIH-funded R01, the RHODE STUDY; the 10th cycle of data collection and analysis with the oldest, continuously followed cohort of people born preterm in the U.S. She was selected as a Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing Fellow for 2023-2024, and in recognition of her educational scholarship focused on innovative teaching strategies for NPs among other contributions, Dr. Kelly was inducted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners last summer.
The newest Fellows, and largest class, represent 40 states, the District of Columbia, and 13 countries. In welcoming these Fellows, the Academy will be comprised of more than 3,000 leaders who are experts in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia that champion health and wellness, locally and globally.