Betty Irene Moore Fellowship celebrates record year at American Academy of Nursing conference

Betty Irene Moore Fellows Joan Carpenter, Maya Clark-Cutaia, Lisa Duffy, Jean Edward, Lenette Jones, Erica Liebermann, Heather Nelson-Brantley, M. Rebecca O'Connor, Donna-Marie Palakiko and Kimberly Powell were inducted Oct. 18 as fellows of the American Academy of Nursing. 

Oct. 20, 2025

By Megan Hansen

Ten nurse leaders from the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators program were inducted as fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) during the academy’s annual conference Oct. 16-18 in Washington, D.C. This marks the largest group of inductees from the program to date, underscoring the program’s growing impact on the future of nursing leadership.

Since the fellowship’s launch in 2020, a total of 29 fellows from the program’s five cohorts, along with one Fellowship National Advisory Council member and two program faculty members, have been inducted as AAN fellows.

“It’s inspiring to see so many nurse leaders from the fellowship join the academy,” said Heather M. Young, fellowship national program director. “This milestone reflects both the remarkable achievements of these individuals and the collective strength of a community dedicated to transforming health and health care.”

The 2025 inductees include:

• Joan Carpenter, 2022 cohort, associate professor at University of Maryland School of Nursing, associate graduate faculty at University of Maryland Graduate School and health scientist at Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Philadelphia
• Maya Clark-Cutaia, 2022 cohort, inaugural Evelyn Lauder associate dean for nurse practitioner programs and professor at Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing
• Lisa Duffy, 2020 cohort, associate professor at Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Jean Edward, 2023 cohort, associate professor and PhD program director at University of Kentucky College of Nursing
• Lenette Jones, 2021 cohort, inaugural Nancy S. and Michael B. McLelland professor of nursing at University of Michigan School of Nursing
• Erica Liebermann, 2024 cohort, assistant professor at University of Rhode Island College of Nursing
• Heather Nelson-Brantley, 2023 cohort, associate professor and program director for nurse executive DNP program at University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing
• M. Rebecca O’Connor, 2020 cohort, associate professor at University of Washington School of Nursing
• Donna-Marie Palakiko, 2023 cohort, associate professor and director of cultural innovation and strategy at University of Hawaii at Manoa Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing
• Kimberly Powell, 2024 cohort, associate professor at University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing

Betty Irene Moore Fellows Jean Edward, Lenette Jones, Maya Clark-Cutaia, M. Rebecca O'Connor, Donna-Marie Palakiko, Heather Nelson-Brantley, Kimberly Powell, Joan Carpenter and Erica Liebermann celebrate being inducted as fellows of the American Academy of Nursing.

Betty Irene Moore Fellows Rachel DiFazio, Lenette Jones and Kimberly Souffront at the American Academy of Nursing conference in Washington, D.C.

Induction as an academy fellow marks a significant career milestone, recognizing a nurse leader’s impact in advancing public health. For each of the new fellows, the honor celebrates both their individual excellence and the fellowship’s lasting impact on their academic journeys.

“I’m tremendously honored by my induction as an academy fellow,” said Jones. “The training I received as a Betty Irene Moore Fellow not only sharpened my leadership skills, but made me feel encouraged, empowered and prepared to submit an application that highlighted my accomplishments and impact in a noteworthy manner.”

Empowering nurse leaders to initiate systemic change at local and national levels is central to the fellowship. For O’Connor, it turned a single idea into a national movement. Her AWARE™ (Assumption Watch to Actively Reduce Errors) program provides nursing students with evidence-based skills to challenge assumptions and stereotyping during patient care.

“My selection as an inaugural Betty Irene Moore Fellow has been life-changing,” O’Connor said. “The fellowship enabled me to turn AWARE™ into a nationally recognized patient safety program, training more than 800 nurses across multiple institutions. Its support was key to advancing this work and ultimately led to my academy induction.”

Heather Nelson-Brantley celebrates her induction as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing with Heather M. Young, fellowship national program director. 

For many Betty Irene Moore Fellows, the program serves as a catalyst for confidence, a broadened global perspective and transformative connections, which are further strengthened by the breadth of the academy community.

“This induction is a deeply meaningful moment in my career,” Powell said. “I am grateful for the fellowship, which not only supported my growth as a nurse scientist but also surrounded me with colleagues whose wisdom and encouragement helped me reach this point.”

Nelson-Brantley echoed the sense of gratitude, noting that she had not anticipated reaching this milestone so early in her career.

“Through Dr. Young’s mentorship, I learned that becoming an academy fellow is not about the letters after your name. It’s about understanding and amplifying your impact through advocacy and policy to globally improve health and health care. I’m thrilled to be part of that mission,” Nelson-Brantley said.

Betty Irene Moore Fellows Maya Clark-Cutaia and Kimberly Souffront at the American Academy of Nursing conference.

For Clark-Cutaia, inclusion in the academy carries both professional significance and deep personal meaning.

“It affirms the purpose that drives my work of building equity-driven systems, cultivating future nurse leaders and honoring the communities we serve,” Clark-Cutaia said. “The fellowship created a space where I could grow, stretch and feel seen. I will carry this community and experience with me into this next chapter with immense gratitude and purpose.”

That sense of purpose and commitment to impact extends across the globe, as Liebermann’s work demonstrates.

“I am honored to have been accepted as an academy fellow in recognition of my leadership in global cervical cancer prevention and my passion for advancing equity and innovation in clinical practice, research and policy,” Liebermann said. “The fellowship affords me the support and resources to expand my vision and influence as a global women’s health expert. I look forward to joining the academy’s powerful community of nurse leaders and change makers working to make the world a healthier place for all.”

Betty Irene Moore Fellows Jean Edward, Donna-Marie Palakiko and Heather Nelson-Brantley were inducted as fellows of the American Academy of Nursing. 

Joining the academy offers fellows new opportunities to advance their research, collaborate with other nurse leaders and deepen their commitment to community-based and equity-driven care. 

“I remember the first time I saw FAAN after the names of nurses I admired in the community and academia,” said Palakiko. “Their work inspired my career to partner with the community to bring forth impactful change. I am honored that the fellowship has supported my work and I’m excited to continue addressing health concerns among Indigenous communities.”

That same dedication to impact is reflected in Edward’s work.

“This moment reflects a shared commitment to advancing equity in cancer survivorship and transforming systems to ensure affordable, accessible care for all. The fellowship has been a catalyst in this journey, equipping me with the leadership tools, mentorship and community to drive innovative and sustainable policy and practice changes,” Edward said.

Being selected as an academy fellow is both an honor and an affirmation of Duffy’s lifelong dedication to pediatric nursing and family-centered care.

“My experience as part of the inaugural cohort was integral to this recognition, providing transformative leadership development, visionary mentorship and the foundation to advance innovative research in digital health,” Duffy said. “Both my fellowship experience and the distinction of being named an academy fellow have been pivotal in shaping my journey as a leader and scholar, empowering me to advance nursing practice and transform health care delivery.”

Betty Irene Moore Fellows Lenette Jones, Forgive Avorgbedor, Sheridan Miyamoto and Kimberly Souffront gather at the American Academy of Nursing conference. 

For Carpenter, academy recognition is both a culmination and a new beginning.

"This is a deeply meaningful milestone for me as it reflects years of dedication and the support of incredible mentors, colleagues, friends and family,” Carpenter said. “I still remember being at my first fellowship convocation, listening to bold ideas and realizing I had found a community that believed in the power of nurse-led innovation. The fellowship gave me the confidence and tools to lead with purpose, and I’m thrilled to continue advancing nursing science alongside such inspiring changemakers."

Academy fellows within this year’s class represent 42 states, the District of Columbia and 12 countries. The academy is comprised of more than 3,200 nursing leaders who are experts in policy, research, administration, practice and academia that champion health and wellness, locally and globally.