The former dean of ASU’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation was named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing last month.
Barbara Durand was honored at the opening night of the Transforming Health, Driving Policy conference in Washington, D.C. According to the academy, to be selected, one must be a fellow for at least fifteen years and have shown “extraordinary and sustained contributions to nursing and health care throughout their career.”
Durand said nursing was the natural career for her.
“My mother was a nurse and I certainly admired her,” Durand said. “Everybody in the neighborhood admired her and came to our door for advice.”
“Although she was not here to see me receive this award, I know she would have been very proud,” Durand said. She said her mother would always carry the Handbook of Pediatric Primary Care, a book she co-published.
Durand said she helped implement the doctor of nursing science program and a program that gave associate degree and diploma nurses the opportunity to complete upper-division degree requirements leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
The school was called the College of Nursing when she was there and now has added health innovation to the title. Durand said this is reflective of how much the school has grown.
The college is currently ranked No.21 by the U.S. News and World Report and their graduate nursing program was named as one of the best in the country for the first time in the school’s history under Durand.
Associate Professor Marianne McCarthy, a longtime friend of Durand, said she would describe Durand as “very smart, funny, loyal, strong and a mentor.” She said “strong” would be the first adjective she would use to describe her.
McCarthy said her favorite memory with Durand was writing and performing a talent show skit at a Western Institute of Nursing conference.
Current Dean and Professor Teri Pipe of the College of Nursing & Health Innovation said Durand provided leadership during a time when nursing was coming into its own as a science as well as a profession.
“Barbara Durand was instrumental in the growth of the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, preparing a strong foundation for NIH-funded nursing research, excellent academic nursing programs and the heightened visibility and implementation of advanced practice nursing, especially the Nurse Practitioner role,” Pipe said. “Dr. Durand and I see each other frequently and she continues to inspire me.”
Durand said she does not have any formal obligations to the school anymore, but talks with colleagues often and goes to many events.
With the chance to travel now, Durand said she has gone on 15 world cruises since her time as a dean. She said she has traveled to Singapore, met countless people and will head to Cape Town, South Africa, in January.
“I am 77 and just went to my 55th college reunion,” Durand said. “Most people my age are limping around and I couldn’t be luckier.”
Durand said she plans on continuing to accomplish her goals.
“As long as I’m on my feet and have my wits about me, I’m just going to go and do as much as I want to do,” she said.
Contact the reporter at mdlope15@asu.edu
