Abstract
In 2016, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association created the Nessa Coyle Leadership Fund to recognize the career achievements of Nessa Coyle, PhD, RN, as a pioneer in the field of palliative nursing and an exemplar of leadership. The first lectureship recognizing this award was presented at the annual assembly of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association in February 2017. This article is based on that lectureship and summarizes key leadership themes identified in Dr Coyle's career.