Betty Irene Moore Fellow receives trailblazer award from City of Milwaukee

March 27, 2023

From left to right: Betty Irene Moore Fellow Dora Clayton-Jones, 2021 cohort member and associate professor at the Marquette University College of Nursing, received the Vel R. Phillips Trailblazer Award created by District 6 Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs.

Betty Irene Moore Fellow Dora Clayton-Jones received the Vel R. Phillips Trailblazer Award from the City of Milwaukee on Thursday, March 23 in honor of her service to the community. The annual award bestowed during Women’s History Month recognizes a female city resident who exemplifies selfless service and trailblazing work to improve the quality of life for residents in Milwaukee.

The selection committee unanimously chose Clayton-Jones, who is a member of the 2021 Betty Irene Moore Fellowship cohort and associate professor at the Marquette University College of Nursing. A passionate advocate for people living with sickle cell disease, her research project for the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators focuses on interventions for youth living with sickle cell disease. She has dedicated countless hours of her time to community education events and strives to help adolescents and young adults self-manage their disease symptoms.

“I am very passionate about serving my community, especially when it comes to helping and advocating on behalf of my Milwaukee neighbors living with sickle cell disease,” Clayton-Jones said. “I could not be more honored and grateful to receive this award. The Honorable Vel R. Phillips has and will always be an inspiration to me. I look forward to continued collaborations with my community.”

Nominated by a fellowship mentor

Fellowship-appointed mentor Betty S. Pace nominated Clayton-Jones for the award. Pace is a professor of Pediatrics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Graduate Studies, at Augusta University. She is also the Francis J. Tedesco Distinguished Chair in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program Telehealth Center at the academic institution.

"Getting to know Dr. Clayton-Jones over the past two years she has been in the fellowship program has been incredible. I nominated her for this award because she is a tireless advocate for her community. She exemplifies what it means to be a trailblazer in her profession and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition,” Pace said.

Pace is one of more than 60 mentors who guide Betty Irene Moore Fellows over the course of the three-year fellowship program. Each fellow is supported throughout the program by at least two mentors — a self-selected mentor and an additional mentor selected in collaboration with the fellowship program.

Heather M. Young, fellowship national program director, said she deeply values the program’s mentors for their support and expertise. She is delighted to see Clayton-Jones recognized for her community service.

“Serving her community is close to Dr. Clayton-Jones’ heart. She is an innovative and dedicated nurse scientist and leader affecting real change in her community. It is a great honor that the City of Milwaukee recognizes her efforts,” Young said. “I am grateful to Dr. Pace and our program mentors for all the incredible support and wisdom they offer our fellows.”