Prestigious fellowship program recognizes innovative nurse scientists

Lauren Covington, assistant professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Delaware College of Health Sciences, is one of 16 nurse scientists accepted to the fifth cohort of the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators. This fellowship program, funded by an initial $37.5 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and an additional $7.5 million grant awarded last year to expand the program’s capacity, recognizes early- to mid-career nursing scholars and innovators with a high potential to accelerate leadership in nursing research, practice, education, policy, and entrepreneurship.

“I am honored and delighted to be awarded this prestigious fellowship,” Covington said. “I look forward to connecting with my fellow cohort members and learning from top leaders and change agents in nursing science and other disciplines.”

As part of the three-year fellowship program, fellows receive $450,000 to conduct an innovative project or study with the potential to address a gap in knowledge, meet a vital need, alter care delivery, or design a new solution to advance health. Covington’s project focuses on understanding and addressing sleep and health inequities among disadvantaged families. She aims to leverage the evidence of this project to support the investment in policies by community, coalition, and legislative members that will provide better conditions and support the implementation of health behaviors for disadvantaged families.

"The Betty Irene Moore Fellowship Program is a great opportunity for Lauren and represents the first time the University of Delaware School of Nursing has been awarded this prestigious fellowship," said Elizabeth Speakman, senior associate dean and chief academic officer of the School of Nursing. "We are so proud of Lauren; the rigorous application and selection process is testament to the outstanding work Lauren is conducting and her expanded national presence as a nurse scientist." 

In addition to the project, the fellowship program features a hybrid online and in person curriculum designed and taught in partnership with the UC Davis Graduate School of Management and national experts to enhance leadership and innovation capacity, strengthen strategic thinking and collaborative skills, expand professional networks, develop entrepreneurial skills, and propel innovative ideas to fruition. A mentor selected by the fellow and an additional mentor provided by the national program office round out the educational experience.  

“We are so excited to welcome the newest fellows to our program. Our fellows have the unique opportunity to not just conduct research within their target populations but to enhance their leadership and innovative skills. They learn to translate novel ideas into action and spearhead changes that champion equitable health care practices,” said Heather M. Young, national program director for the fellowship and Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis dean emerita. “As the next generation of nurse leaders, they possess considerable influence to transform the nursing profession, fostering inclusivity and enhancing community engagement and the quality of health care delivery for everyone.”

The fellowship program is made possible by Betty Irene Moore’s passion to advance nursing with the goal of better outcomes for individuals, families and communities. The foundation seeks to prepare nurses as collaborative leaders with the skills and confidence to inspire others, enact change and challenge the status quo. With the creation of the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators, the foundation supports nurse leaders who take ideas to scale that advance high-quality, high-value care and optimal health outcomes.