Professor of Nursing Receives National Recognitions

Lisa Skemp, PhD, RN, Professor of Nursing at Our Lady of the Lake College, has recently received recognition from two national academic organizations, the American Academy of Nursing and the Gerontological Society of America.

During the American Academy of Nursing’s Transforming Health, Driving Policy Conference on October 18, 2014, in Washington, DC., Dr. Skemp was inducted as a American Academy of Nursing Fellow, an award that recognizes individuals for their leadership in education, management, and policy focused on improving health.  Being named an Academy fellow is a prestigious honor that is, according to the American Academy of Nursing selection criteria, based on the “extent the nominee’s nursing career has influenced health policies and the health and wellbeing of all.”

Academy fellows represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 24 countries.  In the 2014 class of 168 nurse leaders, Dr. Skemp was the only individual inducted from the state of Louisiana.

Additionally, during the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Annual Scientific meeting held on November 5-9, 2014 in Washington, DC, Dr. Skemp was awarded GSA fellow status.  GSA fellowship is peer recognition for outstanding contributions to the field of gerontology.  This distinction recognizes activities that include research, teaching, administration, and public service.

Dr. Skemp, who serves as Our Lady of the Lake College’s Sister Agnes Marie Fitzsimons Endowed Chair of Gerontological Nursing, organizes interdisciplinary participation in gerontological study and encourages student involvement in gerontology practice and research.  She draws upon her experience as a nurse scholar to promote health and quality of life for elders by encouraging regional research collaborations and conducting domestic and international research related to healthy aging.

Offering doctoral, master’s, baccalaureate, and associate degrees, Our Lady of the Lake College is a four-year, independent Catholic institution, providing a strong foundation in the liberal arts and continuing its highly-regarded health sciences and nursing programs.  Established in 1923 as a nursing school by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady (FMOL), Our Lady of the Lake College holds to a Franciscan tradition of service, offering a healing and spiritual presence for the community and especially those most in need.

For additional information, please call Elaine Crowe, OLOL College Communications, at 225-768-1700.