Program History

Program History

The U.S. health care system serves a large and growing population of older adults. Within the next 20 years the numbers of older citizens will not only challenge the traditional notions of "old age," they will also test the capacity of the nation's health care system.

The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) Board of Trustees recognizes the centrality of nurses to the care of older adults. Since 1996 the Foundation has to date committed over $74 million dollars to prepare gerontology nurse researchers, educators, practitioners as well as gerontology nursing curriculum.

In 2000, and in partnership with the American Academy of Nursing, the JAHF launched the multi-million dollar Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity (BAGNC) Program to produce expert researchers, academicians and practitioners who will lead the field of gerontology nursing and ultimately improve the care of the elderly. The program includes nine Hartford Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence and the distinguished Scholar & Fellow Awards Program.

The BAGNC program attracted additional partners, also committed to improving care for the elderly. In 2004, The Atlantic Philanthropies of New York City infused support into the Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards and now supports 50% of all selected Fellows. In the same year, the Mayday Fund provided additional funding for selected Scholars and Fellows who focus on the study of pain in the elderly.

Claire M. Fagin, PhD, RN, FAAN was the first Program Director of BAGNC. On July 1, 2005, Patricia Archbold, RN, DNSc, FAAN, and Elnora E. Thomson Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the Oregon Health & Science University, assumed the role of Program Director.