Nursing Educator Becomes American Heart Association Fellow

A prominent USF College of Nursing associate professor known for her research and expertise in cardiovascular disease in older adults was recently inducted as a fellow of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing.

Harleah Buck, PhD, RN, FPCN, FAAN, was recognized with the distinction on Nov. 10 during the AHA’s scientific sessions held in Chicago.

Dr. Buck was nominated for the designation because of her extensive scientific work focusing on gerontology, cardiovascular disease and palliative care nursing.

“Dr. Buck’s program of research has greatly increased the body of knowledge about the experience of older adults with heart failure and the all-important role of informal and family caregivers,” wrote Corrine Jurgens, associate professor and director of cardiovascular nursing research at Stony Brook University’s School of Nursing.

In her nomination letter, Dr. Jurgens described Dr. Buck as an exceptional academic leader and a wonderful colleague.

She noted Dr. Buck’s recent work on two important writing groups for scientific statements and her role as invited faculty for the council’s annual scientific sessions for three years. She mentioned Dr. Buck’s work as a peer reviewer on AHA study sections as well as her review of manuscripts for influential cardiovascular and gerontological journals as reasons to support the nomination.

Dr. Jurgens also said Dr. Buck’s visible leadership in many high-profile professional groups, including the American Heart Association, the Heart Failure Society of America, the American College of Cardiology, the American Academy of Nursing, the Gerontological Society of America, and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, makes her an ideal fellow.

“Bridging the gap between life-limiting illness, especially heart failure and palliative and end-of-life care is critical, and Dr. Buck does this exceptionally well,” she wrote.

Story by Elizabeth L. Brown, USF College of Nursing