NEWS
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. - The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing is proud to announce that Diana Sturdevant, Ph.D., has been selected for induction into the 2025 class of Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN). This distinction is a prestigious honor in the nursing profession, a testament to her significant contributions to the field and healthcare globally.
A research assistant professor in the College of Nursing, Sturdevant is a nationally recognized expert in long-term care and dementia care. Her research and practice focuses on improving quality of life for older adults and advancing the geriatric nursing workforce. She currently leads a statewide dementia care training initiative through the Oklahoma Dementia Care Network. She serves as the site principal investigator for a National Institute on Aging-funded project aimed at enhancing communication in nursing homes.
“I am deeply honored to be selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing,” said Sturdevant. “This recognition reflects not only my personal commitment to advancing nursing excellence, but also the collective efforts of the mentors, colleagues, and communities who have shaped my journey. I look forward to contributing to the Academy’s mission of transforming health policy and practice through leadership, innovation, and collaboration.”
Sturdevant has received national acclaim for her leadership in reducing the use of antipsychotic medications in long-term care settings, a key issue in improving dementia care outcomes. Her expertise has been sought in multiple state advisory roles, and she is a recognized Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing by the National Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence. She is also a Fellow of both the National Gerontological Nursing Association and the Gerontological Society of America, marking her longstanding influence in the field of aging.
Most recently, Sturdevant was named to the Veteran VIP class of the 2024 McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards, which honors women with more than 15 years of impactful service in senior living, skilled nursing, or home care.
Sturdevant earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and both her Master of Science in Nursing (as a Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist) and Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences.
“Dr. Sturdevant’s selection as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing is a testament to her extraordinary leadership and vision in gerontological nursing,” said Dean Craft. “Her work exemplifies the vision of the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing—to revolutionize education, research and practice to elevate the profession and improve health outcomes
The 2025 class of Academy Fellows includes over 3,200 nurse leaders from 42 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries, representing an exceptional range of expertise in practice, policy, research, and education.
Sturdevant will be formally inducted during the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, to be held October 16–18, 2025, in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme, “Impact Through Integrity and Trust: Our Role as Navigators and Translators,” underscores the critical leadership role of nurses in shaping health policy and advancing equity and innovation in care.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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