The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) has released a video about Loretta C. Ford, EdD, RN, PNP, NP-C, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, co-founder of the nurse practitioner role in 1965. Calling the 102-year-old a "Nursing Legend," the video tells the story of Ford's life and her immense contributions to nursing practice.
It also features Janet Selway, DNSc, MS ’88, AGNP-C, CPNP-PC, FAANP, associate professor and director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty, who was interviewed about Ford, whom she has met and interacted with.
In its Facebook post promoting the video, the AANP wrote "Dr. Loretta Ford envisioned a better health care system. Along with Dr. Henry Silver, she developed the first nurse practitioner program in 1965. Now 102-years-old, Ford continues to inspire! AANP is honored to pay tribute to a living legend. Her message and life will continue to motivate NPs for generations to come."
in 2020, on the occasion of Ford's 100th birthday, the surgeon general, by video, awarded her the U.S. Surgeon General’s Medallion, the highest award given to civilians by the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps for her exceptional contributions to public health and medicine.