2014 AAN Fellow Inductee Dr. Deborah Konkle-Parker
JACKSON, Miss. – The American Academy of Nursing fellows elected one person from the state of Mississippi into its prestigious ranks in 2014. It should be no surprise that she is a faculty member at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Deborah Konkle-Parker, a professor for the Division of Infectious Diseases/Department of Medicine at UMMC, will be inducted at the Academy’s 2014 Transforming Health, Driving Policy Conference on Oct. 18 in Washington, D.C.
Her selection required her to demonstrate significant contributions to nursing and health care as well as sponsorship by two current Academy fellows. Konkle-Parker was reviewed by a panel comprised of elected and appointed fellows, and selected, in part, on how her nursing career has influenced health policies and the health and well being of all.
Konkle-Parker wanted the designation as a fellow for the value it would have on her goals as a leader in nursing. There are an estimated 3,063,162 registered nurses in the United States according to the Health Resources and Service Administration. She will be joining an elite group of 2,200 nurse leaders from around the world in education, management, practice, policy and research.
“I’ve realized that people with FAAN after their names are definitely nurse leaders, and I wanted to be part of that group,” said Konkle-Parker.
One of the most important aspects of this achievement to Konkle-Parker is the impact on her research, which is helping those living with HIV. It is an area of study she believes carries certain stigmas, and she looks forward to getting to know other fellows who will help her get the recognition needed to help gain considerations for research funding, especially in a climate where such subsidies are challenging.
“There is a stigma about HIV in the South, in the general community as well as in the clinical and scientific community, which slows research that is conducted and in clinicians’ willingness to embrace the field,” said Konkle-Parker.
The American Academy of Nursing announced the new inductees on June 23. An excerpt from their press release said “as clinicians, researchers, educators, executives, and leaders in all sectors of our society, the new fellows are joining the nation’s thought leaders in nursing and health care.”
Konkle-Parker’s bio is available here http://www.umc.edu/education/schools/nursing/deborah_konkle-parker.aspx
The American Academy of Nursing (www.AANnet.org) serves the public and the nursing profession by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge.