21st May 2009

Email this Page |

Professor Hugh McKenna of the University of Ulster has been appointed an International Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, an accolade that has been accorded to just two other academics in Europe and only sixteen across the world.

Dean of the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Professor McKenna’s other distinctions include being made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (1999), Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing (2003) and Fellow of the European Academy of Nursing Science (2003). 

Professor McKenna said: “Being awarded an International Fellowship of the American Academy has been a pleasant surprise and a great honour. But international distinction is seldom an individual affair.

“Colleagues right across the University of Ulster are undertaking innovative teaching and research that are having a positive effect on the health and well-being of patients, their families and communities. I am under no illusion that this International Fellowship is as much a tribute to them as to me.  

“Since it was announced, I have been approached by colleagues in three American centres of excellence who wish to discuss possible collaborations with Ulster.”

His passion for involving patients and their families in health care decision-making resulted in Professor McKenna being appointed as a non-executive director to the new Northern Ireland Patient and Client Council earlier this year. 

In 2008, Professor McKenna  was made a CBE - Commander of the British Empire - for contributions to health care and the community. He is one of only a few nurses to receive this prestigious award.

A key focus of his research is on workforce planning, and his solutions to the unregulated growth of innovative nursing roles have been supported by the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council and held up as a model of best practice by many NHS Trusts.

Professor McKenna was a co-founder of the International Network for Doctoral Education in Nursing (INDEN) and played a lead role in its growth across 34 countries.

He is an editor of the International Journal of Nursing Studies, the world’s top rated nursing journal and several of his books have been translated into Filipino, Danish, Japanese and Portuguese.

His research leadership was recognised when he was appointed Chairman of the Nursing Panel in the government’s 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. Since then he has been appointed by the Swedish Government to advise on the selection and funding of research programmes in health and social care. 

Professor McKenna was nominated to the American Academy of Nursing by Professor Mi Ja Kim, Dean Emerita at the University of Chicago and Professor Shake Ketefian, Director of International Affairs at the University of Michigan.

Professor Kim said: “Professor Hugh McKenna has had an illustrious career along many dimensions that have benefited nursing and health care in multiple ways in many parts of the world. In my 40 years of nursing experience, he is one of few whom I regard as an outstanding nurse leader.”

Professor Ketefian described him as an influential mentor and bridge builder. “He will bring a much-needed internationalist’s perspective to the Academy, enriching us all. Given his breadth of international consultations and scholarly activities, Professor McKenna understands health care and education needs in many countries. He is a very gifted international nursing leader for whom a Fellowship is an appropriate mark of distinction.”

Professor Richard Barnett, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ulster, said: “This is an outstanding achievement for Professor McKenna and the University. To be welcomed into such a prestigious academy highlights the international calibre of academics here at Ulster.”

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter