Seiko Izumi, Ph.D., R.N., FPCN, was inducted into the Western Academy of Nursing at the 2022 Western Institute of Nursing Conference.

Dr. Izumi is pictured with Jane H. Lassetter, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., Brigham Young University, WIN President.

Nurse-midwife and nurse-leader Patti Hanson, M.S.N., C.N.M., FACNM said, "It is truly an honor to be recognized within this group of remarkable midwives! I have traveled many paths within midwifery. Each path serves the families, students, and fellow midwives who make this world a better place. I look forward to continuing the trailblazing!"

From the ACNM Website: The Fellowship in the American College of Nurse-Midwives (FACNM) is an honor bestowed upon those midwives whose demonstrated leadership within ACNM, clinical excellence, outstanding scholarship, and professional achievement have merited special recognition both within and outside of the midwifery profession.

Patricia (Patti) Hanson has served women and their families as a full-scope midwife for 22 years. She is an Assistant Professor at Oregon Health & Science University. Patti has served as practice manager and now financial manager since 2003. She teaches midwifery students in the classroom and clinically. Patti was a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholar. She has developed two midwifery practices in Oregon, serving marginalized individuals. She has lectured at ACNM’s Midwifery Works and served as ACNM Chapter Chair. She has edited a chapter of the ACNM Administrative Manual. Patti’s career has included clinical practice, advocacy, teaching, and love of midwifery.

• Patti has served as practice and now financial manager of the OHSU Midwifery Faculty Practice for over 18 years
• Patti started two new midwifery services in Oregon serving marginalized and disadvantaged women and children
• Patti has made significant contributions in shaping new midwives through didactic and clinical teaching at Oregon Health & Science University

Nurse-midwife and nurse-leader Elise Erickson, Ph.D., C.N.M. said, "It’s an honor and also humbling to be in a community with the amazing 2021 ACNM fellows class. I’m eager to continue to advance science that helps support the work we do as midwives and also understand the origins and complexities underlying maternal health and birth outcomes.”

Photo: Elise Erickson, Ph.D., C.N.M. wearing her fellowship medallion.

From the ACNM Website: The Fellowship in the American College of Nurse-Midwives (FACNM) is an honor bestowed upon those midwives whose demonstrated leadership within ACNM, clinical excellence, outstanding scholarship, and professional achievement have merited special recognition both within and outside of the midwifery profession.

Elise Erickson is an assistant professor at Oregon Health and Science University and an NIH-funded scientist. Her research broadly addresses the physiology of parturition and the intersection between the social environment and perinatal health using epigenetic methods. She has published seven studies on oxytocin and postpartum health. She also mentors several DNP and Ph.D. students, teaches perinatal physiology, and is active in the faculty practice. Finally, Dr. Erickson has advocated for and organized within the ACNM Oregon Affiliate a scholarship designated for midwifery students of color to help reduce barriers to the diversification of the midwifery profession.

• Built a research program examining the relationship between adverse social environments, epigenetic aging, and perinatal health/maternal morbidity among other studies relevant to midwifery care and practice
• Constructed and taught core curriculum in perinatal physiology for DNP students
• Advocated for and organized scholarship supporting midwifery students of color

Paula Gubrud-Howe, Ed.D, M.S., F.A.A.N. is one of seventeen fellows in the NLN

Dr. Gubrud-Howe, associate professor, has made significant contributions to nursing education as a founding leader involved in establishing the Oregon Consortium Nursing Education (OCNE). As director of OCNE she has developed a sustainable infrastructure designed to lead the vision, mission and strategic initiatives required to maintain an innovative competency-based curriculum supporting a shared baccalaureate curriculum through Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing and 11 partner community colleges. The impact is seen throughout Oregon and beyond.

In support of this honor, Dean Bakewell-Sachs said, "Recognition as a fellow in the prestigious National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education is a top honor reserved for distinguished nurse educators whose contributions have been substantive and impactful. Dr. Gubrud-Howe is most deserving of this award. Long recognized for her knowledge, expertise, and leadership in the OHSU SON, it is appropriate and wonderful to see this national appreciation of her work.” 

Dr. Gubrud-Howe's collaborative leadership helped create the full development of an infrastructure and committees designed to assure the curriculum agreements are upheld by all OCNE partners. She led the development of many of the instruments designed to assess fidelity to the organizational and curriculum agreements. She helped establish the first state-wide simulation collaborative in Oregon: The Oregon Simulation Alliance which several states have replicated. 

Her expertise as an influential educator, scholar and leader promotes progressive education models and simulation-based learning.

From the news release:

"Seventeen distinguished nurse educators have been selected for the thirteenth class of fellows to be inducted into the prestigious National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education. Along with previous classes, academy membership now totals 302. These leading nurse educators teach in a range of programs across the spectrum of higher education and are affiliated with leading teaching hospitals and other organizations committed to advancing the quality of health care in the United States and globally. . .

Evaluations take into account applicants' contributions to innovative teaching and/or learning strategies; nursing education research; faculty development activities; academic leadership; promotion of public policy that advances nursing education; and/or collaborative educational, practice, or community partnerships."

Gubrud-Howe has lead through innovation and we are proud of her accomplishments. Congratulations, Dr. Gubrud-Howe.