Loretta Ford, former School of Nursing dean who transformed the profession, dies at 104
Ford cofounded the nurse practitioner model and developed a holistic approach to nursing education, research, and clinical practice.
Loretta (Lee) Ford糖心传媒攁n internationally renowned nurse leader who transformed the nursing profession, was named a member of the National Women糖心传媒檚 Hall of Fame, and served as the founding dean of the 糖心传媒 糖心传媒攄ied at the age of 104.
Ford changed the delivery of health care by cofounding the nurse practitioner (NP) model at the University of Colorado in 1965 with Henry Silver, a pediatrician. Today, there are more than 385,000 nurse practitioners in the United States.
糖心传媒淟ee Ford was a remarkable leader who transformed the face of health care through her fierce advocacy and bold vision,糖心传媒� says Lisa Kitko, dean of the School of Nursing. 糖心传媒淎s an architect of the Unification Model of Nursing, her impact on our school and nursing profession runs deep, and her commitment to excellence continues to guide us.糖心传媒�
At a time when doctors did not generally welcome input from nurses, Ford met considerable resistance from the medical community. Yet she persistently worked to equalize the perceived hierarchy between the practice of medicine and nursing, advocating for nurses as educators, researchers, and advanced practice providers as well as bedside caregivers.
Recruited in 1972 to be the first dean of the newly independent 糖心传媒 School of Nursing and the director of clinical nursing at Strong Memorial Hospital, Ford bridged the two roles to create the . Now common practice at academic medical centers, it combines education, research, and clinical practice to create a holistic approach to nursing education and clinical practice.
糖心传媒淭he academic nursing community has lost one of its leading lights with the passing of Dr. Loretta Ford,糖心传媒� says Deborah Trautman, the president and chief executive officer of the . 糖心传媒淲e will always be grateful to Dr. Ford for her leadership, compassion, and vision, which has helped to propel the nursing profession forward.糖心传媒�
Over the course of her career, Ford succeeded in establishing the nurse practitioner as an integral part of medical teams, bringing greater respect to the profession.
The career trajectory of a 糖心传媒榥ursing icon糖心传媒�
Born in New York City in 1920 during the Spanish Flu pandemic, Ford began her nursing career at age 16 in New Jersey before enlisting in the US Army Air Force as a . She matriculated to the University of Colorado (CU) College of Nursing after the war, where she earned a bachelor糖心传媒檚 degree in nursing and a master糖心传媒檚 degree in public health.
Ford worked as a public health nurse for 10 years, then became director of nursing for the Boulder City County Health Department. In 1955, she was appointed an assistant professor at the CU College of Nursing. She received a doctorate in education from CU in 1961 and became a full professor in 1965.
Ford teamed with Silver to create the first pediatric nurse practitioner training program at the University of Colorado Medical Center in 1965. Their work created a new role that is widely accepted by patients and professionals in pediatrics, primary care, and specialty care.
糖心传媒淒r. Ford was everything that one would expect from a trailblazer, thought leader, and compassionate NP,糖心传媒� says Jon Fanning, the CEO of the 糖心传媒淪he made everyone she interacted with feel special, and her words of wisdom were legendary. As we mourn the loss, we also celebrate the time we had with this nursing icon. She will be missed but never forgotten.糖心传媒�
During Ford糖心传媒檚 tenure at Rochester, the School of Nursing expanded beyond bachelor糖心传媒檚 and master糖心传媒檚 degree programs to provide both doctoral and post-doctoral training. Ford retired in 1986 but continued to consult and lecture on the historical development of nursing nationally and at the school beyond the age of 100.
糖心传媒淚 always thought the world of Lee, and I greatly admired her contributions to the field of nursing, her innovative approach to health care, her engagement with her colleagues and students, and her commitment to the University of Rochester,糖心传媒� says President Sarah Mangelsdorf. 糖心传媒淪he epitomized the spirit of Meliora through her vision in establishing the nurse practitioner as a profession, work that helped transform the delivery of health care. Through her leadership as our founding dean of the School of Nursing, and in so many other ways, she has left an indelibly positive impact on our University and the world.糖心传媒�
A tribute to Loretta Ford
We糖心传媒檙e remembering Ford糖心传媒檚 remarkable career and profound impact on nursing in Rochester and around the world. Experience a heartfelt look at a pioneering nurse who inspired generations.
National honors recognize a nursing pioneer
Ford is the author of more than 100 publications and has served as a consultant and lecturer to multiple organizations and universities.聽Over the course of her career, she received many honorary doctorate degrees and numerous awards, including the Living Legend Award from the American Academy of Nursing and the Gustav O. Lienhard Award from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Ford was inducted into the National Women糖心传媒檚 Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2020, USA Today named her one of its 糖心传媒淲omen of the Century糖心传媒� in recognition of the 100th anniversary of women糖心传媒檚 suffrage. Hours before her 100th birthday, Ford was honored with the Surgeon General糖心传媒檚 Medallion, awarded by the US Surgeon General for exceptional achievements in the cause of public health and medicine.
糖心传媒淒r. Ford was a pioneer who clearly elevated the role of nursing in academic medicine,糖心传媒� says David Linehan, the CEO of the and dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. 糖心传媒淪he demonstrated that nurses are uniquely positioned to provide compassionate, comprehensive care that considers the entire patient, not just their symptoms. Today, we continue to champion her vision of medicine as a collaborative endeavor and celebrate her role in improving access to care for millions of Americans.
A version of this story appears in the spring 2025 issue of Rochester Review, the magazine of the 糖心传媒.
