Be the change you wish to see in the world

-Mahatma Gandhi

Nurse practitioners are changing health care systems throughout the world in large and small increments every day. They are creating a legacy. In the everyday clinical settings, most nurse practitioners (NPs) are not thinking about our history or our future. Although we are focused on the present, we must remember that the present is built on the accomplishments of past visionaries. Those who challenged the status quo. Decisions we make today will affect the future.

To honor those who have made a significant impact on the profession, the Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) initiated the Legacy Award in 2020. The criteria included contributions that demonstrated enduring value beyond the honoree's lifetime. The specific components on which the award is based include the following:

* Vision-An articulated dream and direction that other people want to share and follow;

* Innovation-Creative thinking outside of the box;

* Courage-Challenging the status quo for the betterment of nurse practitioners and those affected by our care;

* Persistence-The tenacity to confront practice, policy, research, or educational challenges over the course of the career; and

* Inspiration-Having an inspiring effect on others to engage in activities to extend their work.

The 2020 Legacy Awardees are Dr. Loretta Ford, Dr. Jan Towers, and Dr. Delia O'Hara (posthumously).

Most are familiar with the work of Dr. Ford and Dr. Towers, but Dr. Delia O'Hara is an unsung hero. Dr. O'Hara's accomplishments throughout her lifetime exemplified the criteria for truly making a long-lasting difference in health care.

Vision

Delia received her BSN in 1965 and became certified as a family nurse practitioner in 1975. In the early days of the Nurse Practitioner Movement, she went to law school to contribute to legislation related to nursing practice and received her law degree from Howard University in 1987.

Delia was a visionary who foresaw the potential for nurse practitioners to be a powerful force in improving patient outcomes. She was instrumental in developing the Bylaws for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Her legal expertise assured that these laws would stand up to scrutiny and provide guidance for a trustworthy and influential professional organization. Recognized for her commitment, leadership, and expertise, Delia became a charter member of the Fellows and developed the Bylaws for that group to assure that there was both recognition and direction for this group of extraordinary professionals within the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). She went on to become the chair of FAANP. Delia knew that part of the obligation of any professional organization is to support and grow new professionals within the discipline. She was extremely active in the previous AANP Foundation and was the major legal consultant for assuring that the scholarships and grants were well administered and equitably awarded. Her vision legal expertise and passion for the NP role contributed to the respect and vitality that AANP now enjoys.

Innovation

Delia combined her legal and nurse practitioner experience working for the Federal Trade Commission on health care programs and used her legal expertise to create avenues for the advancement of the NP role. Throughout the years, she served on multiple committees in both the AANP and FAANP. As a committee member, she was able to find ways of being more efficient, getting better results, and making sure that we did not fall into any inadvertent legal errors. Delia personified the mentor qualities of respect and clear communication. Her admonition of "what would happen if we looked at it this way[horizontal ellipsis]" still rings true.

Courage

Delia began her career as a nurse practitioner when it was an uphill battle to be a competent professional in primary care. She was a courageous advocate for better patient outcomes. When she worked at the Federal Trade Commission, she specialized in health care issues and was a constant advocate for patients. This took courage in an atmosphere where profit and cost cutting were operant. Delia also demonstrated courage when advocating for nurses who were pioneering in practice and entrepreneur activities. She drafted and lobbied to pass the Nurse Practice Act for the District of Columbia which defined nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists as advanced practice nurses with expanded practice authority. After this major accomplishment, she went on to change the Pharmacy Act in the District of Columbia to authorize advance practice nurses to prescribe Schedule II through V controlled substances and acquire a state DEA license. In addition, she drafted the rules and regulations for NP practice that were implemented in the district. Her inspiration of practitioners in these areas has resulted in an enduring legacy of professionalization and service to patients.

Persistence

Delia personified persistence in her drive to improve health care. As a nurse practitioner, she worked in Washington DC to bring health care to those with limited access. Her experience as an NP and as an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission gave her the real-world basis for specializing in health care matters that made regulatory differences in government health care programs. She also recognized the importance of keeping the nurturing of new practitioners at the forefront of AANP's work. She was a guiding light in the AANP Foundation's work that awarded scholarships and grants for the advanced practice education.

Inspiration

Delia's energy and drive were a constant inspiration to the fellows, patients, and community members. She had the ability to combine two professions and use the expertise from both to improve patient outcomes and inspire new practitioners. She was always available to offer sage advice about the best approach to develop new initiatives and deal with the intricacies of the growing and diverse group of nurse practitioners. Delia was dedicated to international work and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Ruwenzori in rural western Uganda. She volunteered to provide health care on missions to a regional hospital and AIDS clinic in Kitojo, a remote village near the Ruwenzori Mountains. She inspired hope and caring for all with whom she interacted.

This is a profile of a charter FAANP member who was the personification of the qualities that make the very best nurse practitioners. Her legacy of advocacy, caring, innovation, and constantly striving to assure that nurse practitioners continue to improve patient outcomes will never fade.

Now is the time for each of us to contemplate our accomplishments and future goals. Our everyday actions are important and contribute to our legacy. Developing a systematic plan will assist us to reach our future goals. We must continue to learn every day from our experiences. We can look to our collective past to streamline our path to the future.

Nurse practitioners now have the advantage of technology to connect them to leaders and mentors who are willing to assist them to meet their goals and provide a roadmap to attain higher aspirations. We encourage you to be the change you want to see.