Back to News Rounds with Leadership - Standing on the Shoulders of Giants Wednesday, February 22, 2017 | Rounds with Leadership Welcome to聽Rounds with Leadership, a new forum for AACN鈥檚 Board Chair and President/CEO to offer commentary on issues and trends impacting academic nursing. The celebration of Black History Month would not be complete without acknowledging the rich legacy of achievement forged by African American nurses. These pioneers recognized a strong connection between education and the ability to provide high quality, culturally competent, and accessible patient care. In this month鈥檚 column on Rounds with Leadership, we鈥檝e invited Dr. Vernell DeWitty, AACN鈥檚 Special Advisor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, to share her thoughts on some of 苍耻谤蝉颈苍驳鈥檚 forebearers who have had a lasting impact on how nurses are trained and how they practice. In 2014, Dr. DeWitty was recognized by the American Nurses Association with the prestigious Mary Mahoney Award for her work to help diversify the nursing student population as the leader of the New Careers in Nursing Program, a joint initiative mounted by 性视界and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. We are proud of Vernell and the high standard she sets for all those committed to creating an inclusive and diverse nursing workforce.聽 Standing on the Shoulders of Giants By Vernell DeWitty, PhD, RN During a recent visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, I was reminded of the contributions made by early African American nurses in advocating for better patient care, equity in education and training for all nurses by creating opportunities for nurses of color to serve our country and the wounded.聽 Sojourner Truth