Foundation-Sponsored Kenyan Nurse Leaders Begin Fellowship Program

Palm Springs, CA (Jan 19, 2024) - The dean of a top Kenyan nursing school and a Kenyan Ministry of Health leader began a year-long senior nurse fellowship program created by the Marian K. Shaughnessy Nurse Leadership Academy at Case Western Reserve University. The two Kenyan nursing leaders received full sponsorship from the Health Carousel Foundation to participate in the Coldiron Senior Nurse Executive Fellowship.

"Health Carousel Foundation's support for our Kenyan colleagues, Drs. Aluora and Ndirangu-Mugo, is an important step forward in expanding the global reach of the Coldiron Fellowship program and uniting nurse leaders to advance health care for all. We also know that Health Carousel leaders Earl Dalton, Coldiron Fellow 2023-24, and Donita Ross, current Coldiron Fellow 2024-25, will help us in the continued journey to advance nursing leadership at the local, national, and global levels of health policy change. We value our continued partnership with Health Carousel to make the world a better place!" - Joyce J. Fitzpatrick, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN, Director, Marian K. Shaughnessy Nurse Leadership Academy

This innovative Coldiron Fellowship program is designed to empower executive nurse leaders to make healthcare more patient-centered, cost-effective, accessible, and quality-driven. The Fellowship includes six sessions presented over a 12-month period. The curriculum includes sessions on executive presence, financial acumen, care coordination, quality and safety competencies, wellness, public communication, and understanding and leading change.

The Foundation is proud to support the professional development of Eunice Ndirangu-Mugo (PhD, MSN, BSN) and Judith Awinja Aluora (PhD, MPH, BSN) as they are both shaping healthcare policy and nursing practice impacting Kenya's almost 79,000 RNs.‍

Judith Awinja Aluora, PhD, MPH, BSN, is the appointed Head of Nursing and Midwifery Services, Ministry of Health, Kenya. Dr. Aluora's most impressive achievements include the development of the National Nursing and Midwifery Policy 2022–2032. In December 2021, Dr. Aluora received The Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW), a presidential award for being a COVID-19 warrior. "The Order of the Grand Warrior" is given to those who risk their lives, at risk to save their fellow countrymen. PICTURED: Middle row, third from the left.‍

Eunice Ndirangu-Mugo, PhD, MSN, BSN, is a Professor and the Dean of the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery, East Africa. She is also the Chairperson of the Nursing Council of Kenya. In her current role as Dean and Professor in a School of Nursing & Midwifery, Eunice has endeavored to lead projects geared towards mentorship and empowering nurses and midwives. As the Chairperson of the Nursing Council of Kenya, she has spearheaded the development of critical policy and regulatory tools for nurses and midwives. PICTURED: Back row, second from the left.‍

ALSO PICTURED: Donita Ross, MSN, RN, NE BC, CGNC, VP Health Carousel International, ACNO, and member of the 2024 Coldiron class: middle row, third from the right.

"It was a privilege and honor to meet Judith and Eunice and a remarkable experience to witness their dedication to nursing . . . The knowledge and expertise they bring to the fellowship are clear. Sponsoring nursing leaders of this caliber not only aligns with Health Carousel's higher purpose to improve lives and make healthcare work better but also serves as a source of inspiration to our entire team," Donita expressed.

Earl Dalton, MHA, MSL, BSN, NEA BC, Chief Nursing Officer of Health Carousel, was also in attendance to complete the fellowship program. Earl was a 2023 Coldiron Senior Nurse Executive Fellowship member. His graduation photograph is shown below.

Earl, commenting on what the program meant to him, stated, "It is a privilege to help support the global nursing community through our support of these Kenyan nurse leaders on their lifelong learning journey. The leadership content delivered in the Case Western Reserve Coldiron Fellowship is second to none in preparing individuals for the future of senior leadership. I am sure these Kenyan leaders will make the most of this opportunity and pay it forward as they return home".

Joyce J. Fitzpatrick is pictured above to Earl Dalton's right.

About the Coldiron Senior Nurse Executive Fellowship

The Coldiron Senior Nurse Executive Fellowship was created by the Marian K. Shaughnessy Nurse Leadership Academy to enhance and expand the development of senior nurse executive leaders.

This innovative Fellowship program is designed to empower executive nurse leaders to make healthcare more patient-centered, cost-effective, accessible, and quality driven. The Fellowship was launched in March 2021 and includes five sessions presented over a 13-month period. The curriculum includes sessions on executive presence, financial acumen, care coordination, quality and safety competencies, wellness, public communication, and understanding and leading change.

The Coldiron program is a collaboration between the Marian K. Shaughnessy Nurse Leadership Academy, the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, the American Nurses Association, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

This partnership brings together some of the most respected and influential organizations in healthcare, nursing, and organizational behavior, providing participants with access to a wealth of resources and expertise, including individual coaching sessions with an executive coach.

‍