Betty Irene Moore fellowship program recognizes innovative nurse scientists, supports Liebermann’s research on cervical cancer
University of Rhode Island College of Nursing Assistant Professor Erica Liebermann is one of 16 nurse scientists accepted to the fifth cohort of the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators. The fellowship program recognizes early- to mid-career nursing scholars and innovators with a high potential to accelerate leadership in nursing research, practice, education, policy and entrepreneurship.
As part of the three-year 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—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.
Liebermann’s project focuses on improving cervical cancer screening and follow-up in primary care in Rhode Island through a women-centered nurse-led model of patient education and management for cervical cancer screening. The goal is to improve cervical cancer health literacy and guideline-concordant care, increase access to screening and follow-up, reduce cervical cancer disparities and ultimately advance progress toward cervical cancer elimination in Rhode Island and beyond.
“We are fortunate to have Dr. Liebermann as a faculty member at the URI College of Nursing,” said nursing Dean Danny Willis. “Her work advances a valuable cervical screening and management project to bring about improvements in health and wellbeing. We could not be more excited Dr. Liebermann is one of this year’s recipients!”
In addition to the research 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 expert 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 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 nursing advocate 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.
Learn more about the program and all of the URI College of Nursing’s educational offerings here.