The Florida Nurses Association (FNA) has announced Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, Senior Associate Vice President for USF Health and Dean of the College of Nursing, as recipient of the 2011 FNA Nursing Research Award. Dean Morrison-Beedy will be honored at the FNA Membership Assembly September 23-24 in Orlando, Florida.

The Florida Nurses Association honors excellence in professional nursing by recognizing individuals selected by their peers for formal recognition. The Nursing Research Award recognizes a nurse who has produced research of scientific merit with relevance to the practice of nursing.

She was nominated for this award by three colleagues from the College of Nursing; Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, Cindy L. Munro, PhD, RN, ANP-C, FAAN, Distinguished University Health Professor and Thompson Professor of Oncology Nursing at USF, Susan C. McMillan, PhD, ARNP, FAAN and USF Nursing Professor,Patricia A. Burns, RN, PhD, FAAN.

In her nomination letter Dr. Munro noted Dean Morrison-Beedy’s stature as a premier nurse researcher as well as her instrumental role in the development of nurse scholars as they launch their research careers.

Dean Morrison-Beedy was one of the first nurse scientists to develop a gender-specific intervention to reduce HIV risk in 15-19 year old girls, the age group with the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections. Her work in this area has been funded by over 30 grants from various avenues, including five different National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) mechanisms, and has resulted in authoring over 55 publications in peer-reviewed journals and 100 published abstracts.

“She clearly has made outstanding contributions to nursing knowledge, has a sustained publishing record, and promotes utilizing and conducting nursing research among colleagues,” said Munro. “Dr. Morrison-Beedy is an exceptional nurse researcher.”

Dr. McMillan, a past recipient of the FNA Nursing Research Award, stressed Dean Morrison-Beedy’s commitment to reducing sexual risk and HIV in adolescent girls and her recognition as one of the best known names in nursing because of the significance and the international visibility of her work.

“This work is vital to researchers who will advance the science and to clinicians who will translate this evidence to practice settings,” said McMillan. “Dr. Dianne Morrison-Beedy has a consistent and sustained record of scholarly contributions to nursing knowledge for the past 28 years, and that has influenced healthcare in the nation.”

Dr. Burns called attention to the interdisciplinary recognition that Dean Morrison-Beedy has received for her exemplary ability to utilize and conduct nursing research.

“Dr. Morisson-Beedy is an outstanding professional nurse who has devoted her career to the scientific basis of nursing practice,” said Dr. Burns. “As a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner she has been able to utilize her advanced practice nursing experience to generate, synthesize and disseminate HIV prevention, and translate this knowledge into clinical practice.”

Dean Morrison-Beedy is also a past recipient of the American Association for Nurses and Aids Care HIV Prevention Award and the New York State Associations Researcher of the Year Award. She holds fellowships in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) and in the National Academies of Practice (FNAP). Dean Morrison-Beedy has also served as a scientific reviewer for the National Institutes of Health since 1995.

Story by Ashlea Hudak, USF College of Nursing