UCLA Nursing School Dean Recognized for Tobacco Free Nurses Project

The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) has recognized Linda Sarna, dean of the UCLA School of Nursing, as an Edge Runner for her Tobacco Free Nurses Project on World No Tobacco Day 2017. Sarna’s co-collaborator Stella Aguinaga Bialous, associate professor at the UCSF School of Nursing, was also recognized for her contributions.

Their model is called Tobacco Free Nurses (TFN) and provides national and international tobacco cessation education to practicing nurse clinicians, tobacco control resources for patient care, smoking cessation support and assistance to nurses and nursing students, and methods to enhance nurse leadership and advocacy in promoting a tobacco free society. The tobacco free initiative also includes a pocket guide called Helping Smoker’s Quit – A Guide for Clinicians.

Academy President Bobbie Berkowitz, PhD, NEA-BC, FAAN, commended the project on Newswise.com: “Designing and implementing a project which reduces the use of tobacco, the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide, is a valuable and noteworthy achievement. Dr. Sarna and Dr. Bialous are commended for designing Tobacco Free Nurses for improving the health of those called to the nursing profession, as well as the patients for whom they care.”

AAN’s Raise the Voice Edge Runner initiative recognizes nurse-designed models of care that impact cost, improve quality, and influence policy. TFN has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for their advocacy in tobacco control, especially among the healthcare and nursing communities. Over 6,000 nurses have participated in TFN educational and policy efforts in eight countries including the United States.

For more information about the Tobacco Free Nurses Project, visit www.tobaccofreenurses.org.