The July/August 2011 issue of Nursing Outlook, the official journal of the American Academy of Nursing expertly edited by Dr. Marion Broome, may be their best ever. (Disclosure: I am a Guest Editor along with Dr. Patricia Archbold and Patricia Franklin).

The issue is devoted exclusively to the Hartford Geriatric Nursing Initiative (HGNI) and Gerontological Nursing. That is, our work to advance gerontological nursing science, education, and practice.

The nine articles trace the history of Hartford’s investments and efforts to cluster excellence in geriatric nursing. The articles also detail the Foundation’s programs in geriatric nursing education (Bednash et al.), mental health (Beck et al.), and interdisciplinary collaboration (Young et al.). An article by Franklin et al. uses data from an external evaluation by Dr. Shoshanna Sofaer of the Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity (BAGNC) scholarship program to describe accomplishments of the Foundation’s 10 years of supporting the career development of leaders in academic geriatric nursing.

We are proud of the work of BAGNC alumni to grow the science and arm the next generation of nurses with the skills to care for older adults. In fact, we asked a few alums (Drs. Melissa Aselage, Kristine Talley, and Mark Toles) and their mentors to author state of the science briefs in their pioneering geriatric nursing research areas. Dr. Patricia Grady, Director of the National Institute of Nursing Research, lauds the BAGNC scholars’ work as “a vital way in which the field of nursing contributes to better health for older adults.”

Beyond the articles themselves, I am especially proud of the thoughtful responses in this issue provided by five leaders in the health care field representing the worlds of nursing, medicine, and philanthropy. Thanks to Drs. Susan Hassmiller, Catherine Gilliss, Charles Reynolds, Eric Coleman and Ms. Mary Ellen Kullman. And of course, to Dr. Donna Shalala, whose Guest Editorial praises the HGNI's “profound impact in 15 years” for having “grown the geriatrics faculty to ensure the nursing workforce is prepared in aging, produced students competent in the care of older adults, developed new knowledge that enhances the health of older adults, and enhanced practice to support the care of older adults.”

But enough of my bragging, take a look for yourself .