The health care and nursing community remembers renowned nursing leader and NP pioneer Loretta C. Ford, EdD, RN, PNP, FAAN, FAANP. Dr. Ford, an internationally acclaimed nurse, innovator, educator and author, passed away on Jan. 22, at 104 years old. Her legacy in co-founding the first nurse practitioner program in 1965 has left an indelible mark on the world, improving health care delivery and accessibility for patients globally.

Ford's career began as a public health nurse in rural Colorado during the 1940s and 1950s, where she recognized the pressing need for health care in underserved communities. In 1965, Ford collaborated with pediatrician Henry K. Silver, M.D., to establish the first NP program at the University of Colorado. She was the founding dean of the University of Rochester School of Nursing, where she continued to innovate with her unification model of nursing, which integrates education, clinical practice and research.

Ford continued to serve as a consultant and lecturer after her retirement, tirelessly advocating for the NP community. Among her numerous accolades, Ford was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2011 and was honored with the U.S. Surgeon General's Medallion in 2020. Today, 350,000 NPs practice in the U.S., following the framework she created to extend care to millions. 

"As nurses, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others every single day," Ford once said. "We must constantly seek new ways to improve patient care and outcomes."