The members of Nurse Educator's Editorial Advisory Board and Manuscript Review Panel want to join our nursing colleagues from across the country in celebrating an award give to our journal's editor-in-chief. Suzanne P. Smith, EdD, RN, FAAN, received the 2011 President's Special Recognition Award from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) at the National Magnet Conference(TM) in Baltimore on October 4, 2011. This award recognizes exceptional leaders in nursing who have also partnered with ANCC to advance its mission, vision, and strategic goals.
Regarding the work of this leader in nursing, ANCC Board President Michael L. Evans, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, said: "For three decades, Dr Smith has worked to support nursing excellence as JONA's editor-in-chief." "Over time, the synergy between JONA and ANCC's Magnet Recognition Program(R) blossomed as we worked together to showcase nursing excellence and achievement."
Dr Smith has been the editor-in-chief of Nurse Educator and The Journal of Nursing Administration (JONA) for 30 years. She recently retired from Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, the publisher of JONA, and now serves as its consulting editor. She continues in her role as editor-in-chief of Nurse Educator, a peer-reviewed journal edited for faculty and administrators in schools of nursing.
When asked about their work with Dr Smith, comments from members of Nurse Educator's editorial advisory board and review panel included the following:
* Her contributions to nursing will have a "ripple effect" for years to come.
* Suzanne encouraged me so strongly in my early writing career that I started to love writing about nursing and nursing education. I thank her for that most sincerely. I believe that she epitomizes a caring professionalism who is just stellar.
* Suzanne is my mentor, colleague, and friend. She is the one who encouraged me and guided me when I first started to write for publications. She is a true scholar and a person who is down to earth and "real." Her leadership as the editor-in-chief of Nurse Educator has made it possible for nurses and nursing educators to share their creative ideas with the world! Her leadership has promoted the image of the nursing profession and nursing education, which ultimately improves the quality of patient care and outcomes. We are so lucky to have Suzanne among us.
* Dr Smith has dedicated herself to promoting nursing excellence throughout her career. All who encounter her benefit from her wisdom; her gentle guidance; her knowledge of trends, issues, and concerns in nursing; and her never-failing sense of humor. She epitomizes nursing excellence and leadership.
We thank Dr Smith and look forward to our continuing work with her in disseminating nursing knowledge.