AACN Remembers Marguerite Stella Jackson Schaefer

AACN is mourning the loss of Dr. Marguerite Stella Jackson Schaefer, the former dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh, and a founding member of AACN. Dr. Schaefer passed away in New York on June 19, 2018, at age 95.

A true visionary, Dr. Schaefer received her doctorate in biochemistry and human nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) in 1963. In 1966, she became the first non-nurse dean of a school of nursing at Pitt. Following a seven-year tenure at Pitt, she attended Carnegie Mellon University as a visiting scholar and became a sought-after management consultant, co-authoring a book on healthcare management theory and practice. She was a member of numerous healthcare organizations in Pittsburgh and in 1966 was cited as one of Pittsburgh's 10 Distinguished Women by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Dr. Schaefer was an Emeritus Member of AACN, who will be missed by her colleagues in academic nursing.

“Marguerite Schaefer was a strong, influential leader who helped generations of nursing, including myself, develop a passion for strengthening nursing’s competence to lead, make a difference, and support others along the way,” said AACN President and Chief Executive Officer Deborah Trautman.

Donations in Dr. Schaefer’s memory may be made to the Marguerite J. Schaefer Endowment for Music, c/o Northeast Health Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.