The Virginia Nurses Association (VNA) is thrilled to share that nine nurses from Virginia – eight of them VNA members – have been selected as Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing, including VNA’s Board Vice President, Dr. Jennifer Shepherd, DNP, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC. The Academy is a policy organization and an honorific society that recognizes nursing's most accomplished leaders in policy, research, practice, administration, and academia to advance equitable solutions to the nation’s most complex health care challenges. Academy Fellows hold a wide variety of influential roles in health care and induction into the Fellowship represents more than recognition of one's accomplishments within the nursing profession. Fellows contribute their collective expertise to the Academy, engaging with health leaders nationally and globally to improve health and achieve health equity by impacting policy through nursing leadership, innovation, and science. Congratulations to you all! 
Virginia Inductees

• Jeannie Corey, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, - James Madison University School of Nursing 
• Kimberly Elgin, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, PCCN, CMSRN, FCNS - University of Virginia Health 
• Ellen Harvey, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, TCRN, SCRN, FCNS, FCCM - Carilion Clinic 
• Andrea Knopp, PhD, MPH, MSN, FNP-BC - James Madison University School of Nursing 
• Emma Mitchell, PhD, RN, CPH - University of Virginia School of Nursing 
• Kyeung Mi Oh, PhD, RN - George Mason University School of Nursing 
• Lana Sargent, PhD, RN, FNP-C, GNP-BC - Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing 
• Jennifer Shepherd, DNP, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC - American Nurses Enterprise 
• Kathie Zimbro, PhD, RN - Old Dominion University Ellmer School of Nursing 

The entirety of 2025 Fellows represent 42 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries. Induction into the Academy is a significant milestone in a nurse leader’s career in which their accomplishments are honored by their colleagues within and outside the profession. Fellows are selected based on their contributions and impact to advance the public’s health.  
The 2025 inductees will be recognized for their substantial, sustained, and significant contributions to health and healthcare at the Academy’s annual conference, in Washington, DC during the Induction Ceremony on the evening of October 18. 


About the Virginia Nurses Association
The Virginia Nurses Association (VNA) is a professional organization furthering the interests of the more than 123,000 registered nurses throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, inclusive of all areas of specialization, clinical settings and work environments. In concert with their national partner, the American Nurses Association, VNA is dedicated to advancing nurses and the nursing profession through advocacy. Connect with VNA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
About the American Academy of Nursing
The American Academy of Nursing serves the public by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge. Academy Fellows are inducted into the organization for their extraordinary contributions to improve health locally and globally. With more than 3,200 Fellows, the Academy represents nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia.