Williamsburg, Va. – Riverside Health System’s Kathleen "Kathy" Fletcher, RN, DNP, NP-BC, FAAN was recently honored by the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) for her dedication to the nurse practitioner practice both at the local and national level.
Fletcher, who serves as Senior Associate Researcher at the Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging and Lifelong Health (CEALH), received the 2017 Dave Butler Spirit of GAPNA Award for her many accomplishments.
David H. Butler, Vice President for Johnson & Johnson USA, was a strong advocate and supporter of GAPNA, the national organization of choice for advanced practice nurses seeking continuing education in gerontological care. The Dave Butler Spirit of GAPNA Award is given annually to one member who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to the mission and goals of GAPNA.
Fletcher was presented the award at the GAPNA Foundation Awards Ceremony in October.
“I remain passionate and proud to be a gerontological nurse and appreciate every day the opportunities that Riverside has provided me to enhance the geriatric workforce and care for older adults and their families,” said Fletcher. “It is truly an honor to receive this award from GAPNA, an organization who shares my passion for giving older adults the advanced quality care they deserve.”
GAPNA (formerly NCGNP) was founded in 1981, by a group of Gerontological Nurse Practitioners with the intention of offering the first continuing education conferences designed specifically to meet the needs of advanced practice nurses providing care for older adults. These advance practice nurses are active in a variety of settings across the continuum including primary, acute, post-acute and long-term care.
Fletcher, building on decades of clinical and academic experience, plays a key role in Riverside CEALH's mission to help older adults age successfully in a place and manner of their choosing. In addition to her research role, she is also an instructor in nursing and previously served as director of Riverside's Geriatric Nursing Clinical Practice Program.
Driving research that will ultimately make a difference in the quality of life for individuals and their family members, Fletcher is particularly interested in pilot programs that explore new ways to help dual caregivers – those who serve in the workforce as a professional and also do caregiving in the home.
Fletcher joined Riverside from the University of Virginia, where she spent more than 20 years in a number of positions including assistant professor of nursing, nursing supervisor, gerontological nurse practitioner and director of senior services.
She is also an accomplished writer, co-authoring Advanced Practice Nursing in the Care of Older Adults, among many other works.
Riverside Health System is southeast Virginia's largest provider of services for older adults, with more doctors and medical professionals providing hands-on care than any other area provider. Riverside CEALH's team is made up of a dynamic and diverse group of highly experienced professionals from medical, administrative and research backgrounds.
For more information, visit riversideonline.com/cealh