AACN Introduces Distinguished Award Honoring Leaders in Academic Nursing Collaboration

In January 2023, the Board of Directors of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) approved the creation of the Distinguished AACN Partner Award to recognize individuals whose collaboration with AACN has had a lasting impact on advancing the goals and priorities of academic nursing. The inaugural winners were presented with the award at AACN's Deans Annual Meeting in Washington, DC on March 25, 2024.

Congratulations go to Dr. Loressa Cole, former CEO of the ANA Enterprise, and Dr. David Benton, former CEO of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. These outstanding leaders are champions of academic nursing who have worked closely with AACN on issues impacting nursing education, practice, regulation, and policy at the national level. 

Dr. Loressa Cole, ANA Enterprise

Pictured: AACN President and CEO Deborah Trautman, Distinguished Award Winner Loressa Cole, and AACN Immediate Past Board Chair Cynthia McCurren

Dr. Loressa Cole received this award for her collaboration with AACN while serving as CEO of the ANA Enterprise, which encompasses the American Nurses Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, and American Nurses Foundation. While in that role, she worked with AACN and other members of the Tri-Council on many critical issues facing academic nursing and nursing practice. She led her organization through the uncertainties and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and started ANA's Racial Reckoning Journey through its Organizational Affiliates, with AACN’s support in development and final approval. The ANA and AACN government affairs teams have continuously collaborated to advance meaningful policies that shape nursing education, research, and practice. Loressa and the ANA are strong supporters of the Essentials and the move to competency-based education. 

Dr. David Benton, National Council of State Boards of Nursing

Pictured: AACN President and CEO Deborah Trautman, Distinguished Award Winner David Benton, and AACN Immediate Past Board Chair Cynthia McCurren

Dr. David Benton has been selected for this honor for his collaboration with AACN while serving as CEO of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. While in that role, he worked with AACN on the transition to the Next Generation NCLEX, including educating faculty in AACN member schools about what this means for our graduates. David consistently engaged AACN in the development and signing of policy briefs during the pandemic to ensure our students were able to obtain needed clinical experiences. This collaborative effort helped to underscore the importance of academic-practice partnerships, which enabled our members schools to provide much needed relief to the nursing workforce during that challenging time. Recognizing the importance of education and regulation working together, David regularly sought expert opinions from AACN on the licensure compact and its impact on academic nursing. The Nurse Licensure Compact has grown to 39 jurisdictions, allowing nurses greater mobility and increased access to care for patients.