Celebrating Dr. Ford's 100th Birthday 12-28-2020
Posted over 4 years ago by Jean Aertker
Today, December 28, 2020 Dr. Ford celebrated 100 years young and is as busy as ever! The co-founder of the NP Role resides in Wildwood FL and this past Sunday, December 27th at noon, FNPN members and friends decorated 16 golf carts and private cars and joined in a Covid safe drive-by parade to bring birthday greetings to Dr. Loretta Ford at her home in Wildwood, Fl. It's been difficult to plan a Covid-19 safe event as the state numbers kept changing and restrictions made it a challenge! Dr. Ford was thrilled to see her visitors while maintaining mask and distance. FNPN President, Dr. Arlene Wright began the program with a welcome to all and presented her with a vase of 2 dozen red roses. AANP President Dr. Sophia Thomas flew in for the event to present Dr. Ford with a special recognition from the US Surgeon General Rear Admiral Jerome Adams and his chief of staff, Captain Joel Dulaigh APRN, who sent along a video presentation to honor her remarkable life-time achievements. She was presented with the SG Medal! Dr. Thomas also announced AANP has dedicated $50,000 to a special scholarship programs in the name of Dr. Ford- See AANP website.
Check section "About US" - FNPN PHOTO GALLERY for photos of the Event!
We were entertained by a history presentation prepared by Dr. Kim Curry, Dr. Versie Mallard, Dr. Stacia Hays and Dr. Arlene Wright all dressed in historical costume giving the history of nursing and the roles of NPs today. Dr. Ford was also visited by Suffragettes in 1920’s outfits who marched in with signs with rally signs shouting out of "Votes for Women" Dr. Doreen Cassarino led the band of disruptors including Gail Sadler, Jean Aertker, Dr. Fords daughter, Valerie Monrad and her niece Donna Breuer. Doreen shared the history of the women’s fight to pass the 19th amendment in 1920 which also celebrated their 100th anniversary this past August when Women won the right to vote! Dr. Fords daughter presented her with a 2020 election sign recognizing her vote casted this year!
Dr. Ford was well dressed for the occasion as you can see in the photo! Her costume has been used for many years to show us the fight she had to move the NP role to the future- it was not easy and she had a lot of naysayers. Do go back and read about her vision for the NP role, then know it's now up to all of us to keep the rigor in our role working together in unity to provide Evidence Based Practice care at the top of our educational preparation. FNPN Member Dr. Jacinto Garrido dedicated his original song, "Happy Birthday" for her and who remembers Willard Scott -TV personality and the Smucker Milestone Birthday ads for folks-Dr. Ford is now in the Smuckers history album. Photos of the event will be posted as they come in! You can still add your own Birthday Wishes to our FNPN MEMBERS Virtual Card on this link KudosBoard: until Dec 31st!
COLORADO UNIVERSITY NURSING: Click here to donate to Colorado University Ford Fellowships
ROCHESTER NURSING: Click Here to donate to University of Rochester Ford Fund
Superwoman Dr Ford
Smuckers Birthday Ford
