Loretta "Lee" C. nee Pflingstel Ford

Born: 1920

Died: 2025

Country of Birth: USA

Nationality: USA

Ethnicity: White

Robert Wood Johnson University Nursing Degree 1941; University of Colorado School of Nursing BS Nursing 1949, MS Public Health Nursing Supervision 1951, EdD 1961

"“Don’t forget the human interaction, that’s what helps people.” (urmc.rochester.edu); "nursing is our profession, and we carry that with us in terms of caring and professionalism, as well as coordination of care and compassion, all the things that are so basic to nursing care people. Health and wellness — that differentiates us, too, from the hierarchy in healthcare and other professions." (healthywomen.org); “You have to employ health strategies to get [the patient] to realize that they know more about their bodies than you or any other professional,” Dr Ford said. “You know how [your body] acts. You know what it needs. Your body is your temple, so to speak, and you have to take care of it. [Clinicians] can discuss risks and benefits, but patients have to make decisions for themselves.” (clinicaladvisor.com); “Hospitals are going to be for very acute care; we aren’t going to need all of these hospitals,” she predicts. “But, we could use community centers and home care, and we are learning a lot with virtual visits and telehealth.” (clinicaladvisor.com); “Now, you will see [it claimed] that the nurse practitioner came into being because there was a physician shortage. Well, I can tell you there was nothing further from my mind than to make up for the deficiencies in medicine. We were interested in the care of children.” (rochester.edu); "

— Loretta "Lee" C. nee Pflingstel Ford

Field of Study: Nursing

Institution/Corporation: University of Colorado School of Nursing; University of Rochester; American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Degrees & Memberships: Member: National Academy of Medicine (1971); American Association of Nurse Practitioners; American Academy of Nursing; Institute of Medici9ne of the National Academies

Awards: 1989 Ruth B. Frieman Award in the Public Health Nursing Section, American Public Health Association; 1990 Gustav O. Lienhard Award, National Academy of Medicine; 1999 was named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing; 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award, The Nurse Practitioner; 2003 Elizabeth Blackwell Award, Hobart & William Smith Colleges; 2011 National Women's Hall of Fame; 2012 Colorado Women's Hall of Fame; 2020 named 1 of the Women of the Century by USA Today; 2020 Surgeon General's Medallion; Second Century Award in Health Care Excellence, Columbia University School of Nursing

Achievements: 1965 co-founded the Nurse Practitioner Model with pediatrician Dr. Henry Silver; created nursing programs at the University of Colorado & University of Rochester