Professor Awarded Honorary Degree by University of Dundee
Anne Marie Rafferty, Professor of Nursing Policy at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, has been presented the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from the University of Dundee in recognition of her influential leadership and research in the field of health policy and reform.
Anne Marie, who is originally from Fife, began her nursing career at the University of Edinburgh, in the first academic nursing department in the UK. Her career has focussed on research particularly in the fields of history, health policy and workforce reform, and in 2010 she served on the Prime Minister’s Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery.
Speaking of the honour, Linda Aiken, Professor and Director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research atUniversity of Pennsylvania said:
“This is wonderful news. Professor Anne Marie Rafferty is one of the world’s most distinguished nurse historians. Her work is unique and highly influential as we confront the health care challenges of ageing populations and growing prevalence of chronic illnesses in a constrained economic climate. Professor Rafferty’s research has created the evidence base to improve policy decision making about investments in human resources in health to achieve better health outcomes.”
Professor Rafferty said:
“I am honoured to have been recognised by the University of Dundee, along with some other leading names in medical and life sciences. I have been privileged to work with some inspirational figures throughout my career and I hope that newly registered nurses will continue to take up the mantle of research. My advice to current and future nurses is to question everything and never give up your sense of curiosity. Research should be driven by uncertainty and the thrill of the chase, and it is an incredibly rewarding field in which to work.”
At the Graduation Ceremony on Thursday 21st June, Professor Pete Downes, Principal of the University of Dundee, said:
"Our Honorary Graduands reflect the vision and ambitions of the University itself, people who have transformed lives in the UK and around the world.”