Cecile Lengacher, RN, PhD, professor and director of the BS to PhD Program at the USF College of Nursing, has been named a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), a distinction considered to be the nursing profession’s highest honor.

“This is a wonderful recognition of Dr. Lengacher’s substantial achievements in research focused on improving the lives of women with breast cancer,” said Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, senior associate vice president for USF Health and dean of the College of Nursing.

Dr. Lengacher is one of only two new fellows from Florida among the 142 new AAN Fellows, who will be inducted during the Academy’s 38th annual meeting and conference in October in Washington, DC.

“Selection for membership in the Academy is one of the most prestigious honors in the field of nursing,” said Academy President Catherine L. Gilliss, DNSc, RN, FAAN. “Academy fellows are truly experts. The Academy Fellowship represents the nation’s top nurse researchers, policymakers, scholars, executives, educators and practitioners.”

Dr. Lengacher will join more than 1,600 current AAN fellows, including USF nursing faculty Drs. Dianne Morrison-Beedy, Patricia Burns, Mary E. Evans, Maureen E. Groer, Susan C. McMillan, Linda E. Moody, Cindy L. Munro, and Meredeth A. Rowe.