Laura McRee Posthumously Inducted as Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners
Laura McRee, DNP, ACNP-BC, has been inducted posthumously as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Dr. McRee was a clinical associate professor in the College of Nursing for more than 20 years.
She was named a fellow prior to her death in late December, and the award was presented to the 2020 class of fellows in the summer.
Laura McRee, DNP, ACNP-BC, FAAN
Dr. McRee created the Bed Sled, a patented device to help patients maintain muscle mobility and prevent blood clots during times of bed rest or limited mobility. The device allows patients to move their legs by pressing on foot pedals that offer resistance, all while remaining in a bed. Dr. McRee worked with Tech Launch Arizona to patent the technology, which was expected to expand physical therapy options for patients.
“Sometimes, it doesn’t have to be a complex change that makes a profound difference to prevent adverse consequences and promote health,” Dr. McRee told the College of Nursing in 2019.
She also created an eMR Sepsis Surveillance Evaluation that was adopted by Tucson Medical Center to reduce mortality from septic shock. It improved home discharge mortality and in-hospital mortality after Tucson Medical Center introduced it to the step-down telemetry unit.
Dr. McRee was widely recognized for her successes and contributions to nursing. She was selected one of Tucson’s Fabulous Fifty Nurses in 2015, nominated for an Award of Excellence from St. Louis University in 2013, and won the UArizona Excellence in Clinical Teaching in 2007.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners names fellows each year who are leaders in nursing practice, administration and education. The distinction includes an expectation to continue influencing the practice of nursing by: enhancing the quality of health and nursing; promoting healthy aging and human development across the life continuum; reducing health disparities and inequalities; shaping healthy behaviors and environments; integrating mental and physical health; and strengthening the nursing and health delivery system, nationally, and internationally.