Merritt receives national nursing honor

April 6, 2023 — DALLAS — Shocked. Excited. Humbled and honored. When recognized for excellence in your field, different emotions rush in at once. 

That was the case for Linda Merritt, PhD, when she found out she would be part of the inaugural class of fellows for the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nursing (AWHONN). 

“This is the initial cohort which is why I am so shocked,” Merritt said. “AWHONN is made up of amazing nurses, and I know there are so many that deserve this.”

Fellows of AWHONN are nurse leaders with substantive and sustained contributions to the health of women and newborns. To become a fellow, a nurse must have demonstrated outstanding contributions to clinical practice, research, education, advocacy or policy at the regional, national or global level.

“I love working with the babies. I love seeing the babies in my care get better after being so sick. I love the joy on parents’ faces when they hold their baby for the first time or take them home after being in the NICU [neonatal intensive care unit],” Merritt said. “At TWU, I feel inspired to conduct research to help parents cope better in the NICU and help nurses individualize the care provided to newborns and their families.”

There are just a few fellowships with this high of an honor across the field of nursing, and AWHONN’s designation acknowledges outstanding contributions and continued impact in improving care for women, individuals, newborns and their families.

“I am thrilled that AWHONN recognized Dr. Merritt as a member of their inaugural cohort of fellows,” said Interim Assistant Dean Kristine Morris, PhD. “This is a testimony to the importance and impact of her research on the field of newborn care.”

The national AWHONN convention is June 17-21 in New Orleans. Merritt and the rest of the inaugural class of fellows will be inducted in a ceremony held at the conference on Saturday, June 17.

Page last updated 4:36 PM, April 6, 2023