For release: October 17, 2011
For press information, contact Curt Guenther, 901-678-2843

Dr. Toni Bargagliotti

The induction ceremony took place Oct. 15 during the Academy’s 38th annual conference in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Lin Zhan, dean of the U of M’s Loewenberg School of Nursing, who was also at the conference, said of Dr. Bargagliotti’s induction, “ We are very proud of this high honor given to Toni. Her contributions in nursing education permeated state and national educational systems that had impeded access to nursing education. The Kellogg-funded clinical preceptorship study (1979-1982) was the first of its kind, but it is now an accepted standard across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Toni has made great contributions to advance nursing education by removing barriers and facing challenges. 

“She has put her heart and soul in nursing.  I am so thrilled that the Academy recognizes Toni’s contribution and welcomes her to join the rank of Academy; it is a well-deserved honor and recognition. The American Academy of Nursing provides visionary leadership to serves the public and nursing profession by advancing health  policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge, and Toni will continue doing what she has done so well, advancing nursing education.”

Dr. Bargagliotti was nominated by Dr. Brother Ignatius Perkins, FAAN, dean and professor of the Aquinas College Department of Nursing, and a prominent bioethicist in the healthcare field, and by Dr. Cathleen Shultz, FAAN, dean of the Harding University Carr College of Nursing and past president of National League for Nursing (NLN) of New York.

Dr. Bargagliotti’s selection was based on her many contributions to, and the impact she has had on, the advancement of nursing.  From 1978 to 1982 she was a faculty member of Kellogg funded project team that implemented the Ohlone Model and conducted the first research on clinical preceptorships.  At that time, there was a waiver from the CA Board of Nursing to have students in the clinical setting without a faculty member present. The work using the Ohlone model was disseminated through the largest satellite teleconference held in the world at that time.

In 1985, as an associate dean, she implemented the first MSN/MBA program in the United States and the third accelerated BSN program in the nation.   And in 1995 under her leadership, the first competency-based BSN program in the United States was implemented.

In 2000 Dr. Bargagliotti collaborated with Leslie West Sands to design and implement the first dual degree ASN/BSN program in the country, and in 2004 she was one of six founding deans of six rural/urban universities that implemented the MSN online program.

In 2005 she was elected president of NLN, and under her leadership the first certification program recognizing nurse educator expertise was implemented.  Also during her presidency, the Academy of Nursing Education was created in 2006 to recognize the achievement of outstanding nurse educators.

Dr. Bargagliotti initiated the Special Interest Group for nursing education as part of the International Council of Nursing.  The only other special interest group was for regulation.  She also chaired the task force from the Southern Council on Collegiate Nursing Education that developed the work on the nurse educator role that was used by RODP for this concentration. 

Dr. Bargagliotti currently serves as chair of the Regents Online Degree Program Master of Science in Nursing curriculum committee and provides consultation to the advancement of nursing education throughout the United States.

The Loewenberg School of Nursing is recognized for excellence in nursing education, research, and practice, and is noted for its comprehensive, innovative academic programs that are responsive to the health challenges of the global community.

When the family of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Loewenberg wanted to honor their parents, they established a U of M Chair of Excellence in their honor. Mr. Loewenberg, well known for his support of the nursing profession, asked that the chair be endowed in nursing because he believed it would accomplish the greatest good in that area.

The Loewenberg School educates nursing professionals who share a common goal of promoting the health of the global community.  This commitment is reflected in high quality programs built on the core values of excellence, competence, and caring. 

Also, as a nursing school within a large urban community, the Loewenberg School of Nursing’s educational programs are responsive to the health care needs of Memphis and its surrounding areas.