Apr. 4, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Lauren Shaham, AAHSA, (202) 508-1219
Sarah Mashburn, 202-508-9492

McHugh Long-Term Care Nursing Academy to Honor Excellence and Promote Leadership in Geriatric Nursing

The Institute for the Future of Aging Services (IFAS) was recently selected by the Joan Anne McHugh Memorial Foundation to establish and manage the new Joan Anne McHugh Long-term Care Nursing Academy. The academy, established in memory of Joan Anne McHugh and her commitment to geriatric nursing, will support the development of quality nurse managers and leaders in aging services.

The academy's mission is to support the development of quality nurse mangers and leaders across long-term care settings through continuing education, research and best practice approaches to geriatric nursing care.

"Joan Anne McHugh was a woman whose compassion, knowledge and professionalism helped elderly patients receive the care and respect that they deserved," Robyn Stone, DrPH, executive director of IFAS and senior vice president of research, AAHSA said. "With this support from the foundation, we will help others understand and value the rewards of working in geriatric nursing."

One of the academy's first initiatives is the report, "Scanning the Field: Nursing Leadership in Long-Term Care." This report explores the landscape of existing management training and leadership development programs and highlights major observations, cross-cutting themes, promising practices and issues for future consideration and action.

Another initiative of the Academy is the Joan Anne McHugh Award for Leadership in long-term care nursing. The award, which includes a $1,000 scholarship, will recognize an outstanding nurse whose practice demonstrates superior knowledge and leadership and enables seniors to enjoy optimum health and quality of life. The nomination process will begin Apr. 4, 2006 during the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging's (AAHSA) Future of Aging Services Conference. There, geriatric nurses from across the country will learn more about the academy and IFAS' work to achieve its mission.

"We chose IFAS to manage the Academy because we knew it would ensure that Joan's leadership in geriatric care would be perpetuated and that her legacy will continue to benefit the elderly, the nursing profession and the community," Joan M. McHugh said. "IFAS' commitment to evidence-based research on aging services is a perfect fit for the McHugh Academy."

For more information about the Joan Anne McHugh Academy, please visit the IFAS Web site at www.futureofaging.org.


About IFAS
The Institute for the Future of Aging Services (www.futureofaging.org) is a policy research institute whose mission is to create a bridge between the practice, policy and research communities to advance the development of high-quality health, housing and supportive services for America's aging population. IFAS has three signature areas: advancing quality of aging services, developing a quality workforce and enhancing residential options for older adults. IFAS is the applied research arm of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org). AAHSA members serve two million people every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. AAHSA's commitment is to create the future of aging services through quality people can trust.