With great sadness, CU Nursing announces Dr. Loretta Ford passed away on January 22, at the age of 104, in Florida.
Dr. Loretta Ford with a nurse and newborn. |
Dr. Ford was a true visionary in the nursing profession, transforming it for the better when she co-created the first nurse practitioner program in the country at CU Nursing in 1965 with Dr. Henry Silver from the School of Medicine. Dr. Ford created the program after seeing the need for nurses to expand their scope of practice to address healthcare disparities in rural Colorado.
She lived a remarkable life, having recently celebrated her 104th birthday on December 28. Loretta joined the military in 1942, and after her service, she came to CU Nursing to earn her nursing degree. Attending CU Nursing set her on a path that changed nursing forever.
Learn More About Dr. Ford's Legacy |
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CU Nursing has several articles highlighting Dr. Ford and her legacy. Please take a moment to read through them and learn about her incredible life and contributions to the nursing profession. |
Decades later after the founding of the nurse practitioner program, there are hundreds of thousands of NPs, and thousands of students studying to become NPs, including here at CU Nursing.
Loretta was a force to be reckoned with and always knew exactly what she wanted, not taking "no" for an answer. Her sparkly and funny personality shined in everything she did, lighting up every room she was in (including when she dressed up in Superwoman and Fairy Godmother costumes).
We cannot be thankful enough for the legacy she forged for herself, for CU Nursing, and for a countless number of nurses. Loretta was named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing in 1999, further cementing her among one of nursing's best and brightest.
Loretta, our Superwoman, will be greatly missed. Her visionary work in nursing education will have a lasting impact, and we know her work will continue inspiring nurses for generations to come.
