The American Academy of Nursing will induct UMSL's Margaret Barton-Burke as a fellow. (Photo by August Jennewein)
Margaret Barton-Burke will join an elite group of health-care professionals when she’s inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in October.
The academy is composed of more than 1,800 nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy and research. Barton-Burke is the Mary Ann Lee Endowed Professor of Oncology Nursing at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and has been a pioneer in breast cancer research, especially among black women.
“Selection for membership in the academy is one of the most prestigious honors in the field of nursing,” Joanne Disch, academy president, said in a press release.
Barton-Burke said she was “over the moon” about her selection, especially because there are only a limited number of nurses make the grade.
“There are quite rigorous guidelines for the process,” said Barton-Burke, who noted that most applicants do not get in on their first submission, which she did.
“Therefore this is quite special on many different levels,” she said, adding that the special acknowledgement wasn’t hers alone, but was also a credit to the university.
She received the honor for her overall body of work and her contributions to the discipline of nursing.
Currently, Barton-Burke is the only faculty member at UMSL to hold this special designation. That will change once the new dean of the College of Nursing, Susan Dean-Baar, comes onboard in July. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and highlighted what a significant accomplishment Barton-Burke’s selection was.
“Selection as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing is one of the highest honors bestowed on an individual and recognizes Dr. Barton-Burke as among the top leaders in nursing,” said the incoming dean.
The induction ceremony will take Oct. 13 during the academy’s 39th Annual Meeting and Conference in Washington, D.C.
