Geraldine "Polly" Bednash

Geraldine "Polly" Bednash (nee Parrott) is an American nurse practitioner. She is the former Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and former head of the association’s legislative and regulatory advocacy programs as director of government affairs.

Geraldine "Polly" Bednash
Born
Texas, US
Spouse(s)
Francis Bednash
​
(m. 1967)​
Academic background
EducationBSN, nursing, 1965, Texas Woman's University
MSc, nursing, Catholic University of America
PhD, higher education policy and law, 1989, University of Maryland
Academic work
InstitutionsAmerican Association of Colleges of Nursing
George Mason University

Early life and education

Bednash was born in rural Texas where there were limited opportunities for women. She chose to enrol at Texas Woman's University (TWU) to become a nurse after her best friend chose the career.[1] Bednash graduated from TWU in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and was named a Distinguished Alumna in 1997.[2] Following this, she married Francis Bednash[3] and joined the United States Army Nurse Corps travelling to Vietnam.[1]

Upon returning to North America, Bednash enrolled in a Master's degree nursing program at Catholic University of America and earned her PhD in higher education policy and law at the University of Maryland.[1]

Career

Bednash served as the chief executive officer and executive director of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing from December 1989 until June 15, 2014. While serving in this role, she was "credited with establishing AACN as the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing education" and grew membership from 411 member schools to 742 schools.[4] Bednash was also among the founding members of the Global Alliance for Nursing Education and Science and facilitated nursing exchanges throughout Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.[5] Prior to her retirement, Bednash was chosen to receive the National League for Nursing President's Award in acknowledgement of her "stature and distinction within nursing education and the wider stage of American health care."[6]

Following her retirement as CEO, Bednash served on the Board of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation from 2014 until 2018.[7] In 2019, Bednash was appointed to the Board of Stewardship Trustees for Common Spirit Health[5] and was honored by the American Academy of Nursing as a "Living Legend" in recognition of her "work advancing nursing education."[8] She was also honored by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation at the 2019 International Nurses Day at the United Nations.[9]

References
  1. Klainberg, Marilyn; Dirschel, Kathleen M. (March 19, 2009). Today's Nursing Leader: Managing, Succeeding, Excelling: Managing, Succeeding, Excelling. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. p. 206. ISBN 9781449662301. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  2. Flores, Matt (August 5, 2019). "Nursing Group names TWU alumna 'Living Legend'". twu.edu. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  3. "Miss Parrott, T.F. Bednash Are Married". Corpus Christi Times. June 27, 1967. Retrieved December 16, 2020 – via newspaperarchive.com.
  4. "Dr. Geraldine Polly Bednash to Retire as CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing". businesswire.com. October 28, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  5. "Geraldine (Polly) Bednash". nurseswithglobalimpact.org. 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  6. "National League for Nursing to Honor Dr. Polly Bednash at 2014 Nursing Education Summit". nln.org. June 10, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  7. "Geraldine Bednash: Board member 2014-2018". gold-foundation.org. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  8. Dailey, Dennis (July 30, 2019). "American Academy of Nursing Designates Five Nurse Leaders as Living Legends". mobilehealthtimes.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  9. "Gold Foundation honors nursing leader Polly Bednash at 2019 International Nurses Day at the United Nations". gold-foundation.org. April 30, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
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