Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, president of the John A. Hartford Foundation, received an honorary nursing degree from Case Western Reserve University on May 15, 2024.
These honors recognize the recipients’ lifetime achievements in scholarship, public service and more. The conferral was held during the university's convocation and awards ceremony.
After joining Case Western Reserve as a visiting professor of nursing at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing in 1987, Fulmer quickly established herself as a pioneering figure in geriatric nursing.
She is renowned for her transformative contributions to elder care and, as president of The John A. Hartford Foundation in New York City, leads initiatives aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of older adults. Fulmer’s visionary leadership has catalyzed the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, driving systemic change to meet the unique needs of aging populations.
With an illustrious career spanning decades, Fulmer has held positions at several prestigious institutions, including serving as distinguished professor and dean of health sciences at Northeastern University and founding dean of the New York University College of Nursing. Her groundbreaking work includes the development of the national Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders program and pioneering research on elder abuse and neglect.
Recognized as the first nurse to serve on the board of the American Geriatrics Society and as president of the Gerontological Society of America, Fulmer has received numerous accolades, including the 2019 Donald P. Kent Award for exemplary leadership in aging and designation as an American Academy of Nursing Living Legend.
Beyond academia, Fulmer’s influence extends to numerous boards and advisory committees, where she continues to shape policy and practice in geriatric healthcare. As vice chair of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Special Medical Advisory Group and a trustee for various organizations, she remains at the forefront of initiatives to improve care for older adults.
A distinguished practitioner and fellow of esteemed academies, including the National Academy of Medicine, Fulmer’s impact on geriatric nursing is unparalleled. With more than 175 peer-reviewed papers and 23 edited books to her name, her enduring dedication to improving care for older adults continues to inspire healthcare professionals worldwide.