Ronald Hickman, associate professor of nursing at Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, a national honor awarded for his contributions to the profession.
No one was as surprised as the young educator and researcher, who completed his postdoctoral work just three years ago.
“Induction to the American Academy of Nursing is one of the most esteemed honors in nursing, and I am truly grateful to be included among the nation’s leading nurses in science, education, practice and policy,” said Hickman, also an acute care nurse practitioner in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at University Hospitals Case Medical Center.
Hickman, a triple alumnus of the university, joins 15 faculty members at the school of nursing and more than 100 alumni who have gone through the rigorous selection process to receive the distinguished recognition. He will join 162 nurse leaders from around the world for induction into the Academy during its annual policy conference, “Transforming Health, Driving Policy,” on Oct. 17 in Washington, D.C.
“This honor recognizes the potential impact of his work and his emerging role as both a nurse scientist and nurse leader,” said Mary E. Kerr, dean and May L. Wykle Endowed Professor at the School of Nursing. “I am especially proud of Ron. He represents the finest in a Case Western Reserve nursing graduate and faculty member.”
Hickman’s most recent research project, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Faculty Scholars award, is investigating the role of emotions on the cognitive function and decision-making of people who must make end-of-life care decisions for family members in an intensive care unit.
He is concurrently conducting a study of an avatar-based decision support technology, funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research, to help family caregivers make decisions that avoid unwanted care for their seriously ill loved ones residing in a nursing home.
“This technology has the potential to reach millions of family caregivers and provide evidence based resources, when needed most, via smart phones and tablet computers,” Hickman said. “It may also aid health care workers by helping family caregivers communicate their loved one’s preferences for life-sustaining care.”
Hickman has consulted with the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Nursing Research on shaping research focused on technology-based interventions.
“We are pleased to welcome this talented class of clinicians, researchers, policy leaders, educator and executives as they join the nation’s thought leaders in nursing and health,” said Academy President Diana J. Mason. “We look forward to working with them to continue the Academy’s work in transforming health policy and practice through the use of our collective nursing knowledge.