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Cheryl Nimmo, the program director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia at the �Թϱ���, recently was selected as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.  

Nimmo, D.N.P, MSHSA, CRNA, FAANA, implemented the transition of the �Թϱ���’s Nurse Anesthesia program from a master’s to a doctoral program in 2022. She also oversaw the program’s reaccreditation, in which it received a 10-year accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) — the maximum accreditation time span awarded by the council.  

The American Academy of Nursing is a policy organization of nursing experts who work to advance health policy and practice to effect positive change in the overall health care system. Its 3,000 honorary fellows constitute some of the greatest thought leaders in nursing research, administration, practice, and academia. The 2024 Class of Fellows represents 37 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and 14 countries. Of the 57 Fellows in the 2024 cohort, only five are certified registered nurse anesthetists.  

“Being selected as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing is a career milestone that validates one’s contributions to nursing practice, education, and policy development. We are all so proud of Cheryl,” said Jen Morton, D.N.P, M.P.H, PHNA-BC, dean of the Westbrook College of Health Professions, who was inducted into the Academy’s 2023 Class of Fellows.  

Through Nimmo’s leadership, �Թϱ���’s Nurse Anesthesia program — the only D.N.P program in Northern New England — quickly became one that emphasizes clinical experience and a supportive learning environment that aims to develop the next generation of health care leaders.   

Starting in 2022, the COA required that students in a COA-approved nurse anesthesia education program receive a practice doctorate degree. Nimmo helped develop �Թϱ���’s D.N.P program into one that meets the highest standard of patient care and provides students with a deeper understanding of the overall health care system. Today, the 36-month program includes a dynamic mix of academic courses, first-hand clinical experience, and lab work in the clinical simulations of �Թϱ���’s cutting-edge Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center.  

Nimmo noted that the COA’s 10-year reaccreditation attests to the program’s rigorous standards and high level of excellence.  

“It is an honor to be chosen to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing,” she said. “I have had the privilege of working with amazing mentors and colleagues throughout my career. The support and encouragement received throughout my professional life have made these accomplishments possible. I hope to continue to contribute to the overall health policy landscape through the Academy.” 

Nimmo has served as �Թϱ���’s nurse anesthesia program director since 2018. Before that, she spent six years guiding the program as its assistant director. She also brings experience as a certified registered nurse anesthetist who has worked in clinical settings in both community hospitals and trauma centers.   

In addition, Nimmo is an active member of several health organizations. She has served as the president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the Rhode Island Association of Nurse Anesthetists and has been chair of the New England Assembly of Nurse Anesthetists.  

Nimmo will be honored along with the entire 2024 Class of Fellows at the academy’s annual Health Policy Conference from Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2024, in Washington, D.C.