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Faculty recognized by nursing group

photo of Dr. Marilyn Harrington — Harrington

The Association of Black Nursing Faculty has honored School of Nursing faculty members Dr. Marilyn Harrington, associate professor of nursing and assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, and Dr. Audwin Fletcher, professor of nursing, assistant dean for graduate programs and director of adult-gerontology acute care and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner tracks.

Harrington is a member of the ABNF Board of Directors, and Fletcher is recipient of the Sallie Tucker-Allen Outstanding Member Award.

“I am excited about having the opportunity to support ABNF in achieving their mission to promote and disseminate the research and other scholarly works of the minority nurse academician,” Harrington said. “This is vital to the longevity of the organization.”

Fletcher, an ABNF member for the past 24 years, has served as the organization’s director of public relations since 2008. In that role, he publishes the ABNF Newsletter. Fletcher’s elected offices include president-elect from 2016 to 2018, president from 2018 to 2020, and immediate past president from 2020 to 2022. He was bylaws chair from 2016 to 2018.

During his tenure as president, the membership doubled, and attendance at the Annual ABNF Conference and Scientific Meeting in Chicago was the highest in the 30 years of the organization. During that time, ABNF’s mentorship mission led to more robust networking and professional development among members.

As immediate past president, Fletcher provides guidance to the current ABNF president and works to keep leadership focused on increasing the number of minority nursing faculty in leadership and tenured roles.

“Together, minority nursing faculty can work to achieve the ultimate goals of decreasing health disparities and educating the next generation of nursing leaders,” Fletcher said.