Educator named fellow of nursing academy

University of Illinois at Chicago nursing educator Barbara McFarlin has been named a fellow by the American Academy of Nursing.

Barbara McFarlin

McFarlin, associate professor and head of women, children and family health science, is one of 163 nurse leaders to be inducted at the academy’s annual meeting on Oct. 17 in Washington. The 2015 inductees also include seven alumni of the UIC College of Nursing.

A certified nurse midwife for more than 30 years, McFarlin has looked for ways to reduce preterm birth by investigating the processes that lead to early cervical failure. Her current studies use ultrasound to measure the ripening of the cervix to detect and prevent premature labor.

“I am extremely humbled to receive this honor, as the academy is composed of the most accomplished nurse leaders in education, management and research,” McFarlin said. “There have been several UIC educators and alumni who have received this award, and I am thrilled to join them.” Nursing academy fellows include association executives; university presidents, chancellors and deans; state and federal political appointees; hospital chief executives and vice presidents for nursing; nurse consultants; and researchers and entrepreneurs.

Throughout her career, McFarlin has received four grants from the National Institutes of Health, and has been the recipient of numerous honors, including the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research; the 2012 Jonas Salk Award for Leadership in Research; and a Fellow into the American College of Nurse Midwives.