Dr. Loretta Ford, pictured here, co-founded the nurse practitioner role in 1965, transforming healthcare access and advancing nursing practice. Source: Wikimedia Commons
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Dr. Loretta Ford (1920–2025), a visionary who reshaped healthcare by co-founding the nurse practitioner (NP) role. Her groundbreaking work expanded healthcare access and set the foundation for advanced nursing practice, ensuring that high-quality care reaches communities that need it most.
Dr. Ford’s journey began in the Bronx, where she originally dreamed of becoming a teacher. Instead, she pursued nursing—a path that would lead her to revolutionize the profession. She served as a nurse in World War II, rising to first lieutenant in the Air Force, and later worked in public health, where she saw firsthand the gaps in medical care, especially in rural and underserved communities. Determined to find a solution, she partnered with Dr. Henry Silver in 1965 to create the first nurse practitioner program at the University of Colorado. This innovation expanded nurses’ ability to provide preventive care, patient education, and holistic treatment, helping to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility.
Her vision faced skepticism, but she persisted, proving that NPs could play a vital role in primary care. Today, nurse practitioners are an essential part of the healthcare system, providing compassionate, patient-centered care nationwide. Her leadership extended beyond clinical practice—she became a founding dean at the University of Rochester’s School of Nursing, where she championed a holistic model of nursing education, research, and practice. Over her lifetime, she authored over 100 publications, received numerous accolades, and in 2011 was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Dr. Loretta Ford provides care to a young patient during her early work as a public health nurse. Source: American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
At Family Planning of South Central New York, we honor Dr. Ford’s legacy every day. Her vision for accessible, high-quality healthcare aligns with our mission to ensure that everyone—regardless of income, insurance, or background—receives the care they deserve. The path she paved continues to inspire providers, educators, and advocates working to expand healthcare access for all.
As Dr. Ford once said, “The time is ripe for NP leaders to seize the moment.” Let’s continue her legacy by advocating for patient-centered, community-driven care—for Women’s History Month and always.
Sources:
https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/remembering-dr-loretta-ford
https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/loretta-ford-former-school-of-nursing-dean-tribute-637022/