(WILMINGTON, Del. – Nov. 26, 2024)

In recognition of their remarkable contributions and impact on the nursing profession, two ChristianaCare nurses have been inducted as 2024 Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), contributing their leadership and vision to shaping the future of nursing worldwide.

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Michelle Collins, DNP, APRN, CNS, ACNS-BC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, LSSBB, vice president of Nursing Professional Excellence at ChristianaCare and Danielle A. Sarik, Ph.D., APRN, CPNP-PC, a nurse scientist consultant at ChristianaCare, joined a distinguished cohort of nurse leaders from 37 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and 14 countries at a ceremony on November 2.

“Induction into the Academy represents the highest honor in nursing,” said Danielle Weber, DNP, MSM, RN-BC, NEA-BC Chief Nurse Executive at ChristianaCare. “This recognition highlights Michelle and Danielle’s exceptional leadership, commitment to innovation and passion for enhancing patient care.

“Their contributions and achievements embody the spirit of nursing excellence, honoring the care provided while also inspiring others within ChristianaCare and beyond to pursue excellence in healthcare.”

Being awarded Fellowship of the Academy is an acknowledgement of the substantial, sustained and outstanding impact an individual has made on health and health care.

“I am both grateful and honored to accept this induction into the AAN as an early pioneer and national leader in virtual acute care nursing,” said Collins, whose work has included establishing the Virtual Acute Care Network at ChristianaCare and developing partnerships to apply virtual nursing practices for the benefit of nurses, caregivers and patients.

Throughout her accomplished 30-year career, Collins has played a crucial role in improving how nurses practice and learn. Her leadership was significant in achieving ChristianaCare’s third Magnet® designation, highlighting her commitment to excellence. Collins’ initiatives, including pioneering a Virtual Acute Care Nursing model and securing a $1.5 million grant for nursing technology integration, have set new standards in health care innovation.

“Being recognized as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing is truly an honor and a privilege,” said Sarik. “I’m deeply grateful to the mentors who have supported me along my journey, and I look forward to continuing to lead research and advocacy efforts to address health disparities and strive for equitable health care systems for all children and families.”

Sarik’s research contributions have been integral in shaping policies that improve health care outcomes for children and families. Sarik developed and implemented the Baby Steps model, recognized by the AAN as an Edge Runner designee. This award acknowledges innovative programs created by nurses that lead to significant improvements in addressing major health challenges. The Baby Steps model addresses health equity for neonatal patients and families following discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit.

Both Collins and Sarik will join more than 3,000 Academy Fellows who have been recognized by the Academy since 1973.

The new inductees can use their FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing) credential, considered by many to be the most prestigious recognition in nursing.

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About ChristianaCare

Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, ChristianaCare is one of the country’s most dynamic health care organizations, centered on improving health outcomes, and innovating to make high-quality care more accessible, equitable and affordable. ChristianaCare includes an extensive network of primary care and outpatient services, home health care, urgent care centers, three hospitals (1,430 beds), a freestanding emergency department, a Level I trauma center and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, a comprehensive stroke center and regional centers of excellence in heart and vascular care, cancer care and women’s health. It also includes the pioneering Gene Editing Institute.

ChristianaCare is nationally recognized as a great place to work, rated by Forbes as one of the nation’s best employers for diversity and inclusion. ChristianaCare is rated by Newsweek as one of the World’s Best Hospitals and is continually ranked among the best in the U.S. in national quality and safety ratings. ChristianaCare is a nonprofit teaching health system with more than 260 residents and fellows. With its groundbreaking Center for Virtual Health and a focus on population health and value-based care, ChristianaCare is shaping the future of health care.

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