UWI lecturer is first Barbadian Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing

Lecturer in the Faculty of Medical Sciences of The UWI Cave Hill Campus, Dr Wendy Sealy has been named a 2025 Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) – a first for Barbados. 

The prestigious international recognition places her among the world’s most accomplished leaders in the profession, and is a reflection of her exceptional contribution to nursing, education, and research.  

Dr Sealy, who is the programme coordinator of the Master of Science in Nursing and Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Nursing, has played a leading role in the training of nurses in Barbados and the Caribbean. 

She said the recognition is a testament to the critical role of nurses in advancing healthcare in the region.

“Being named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing is more than a personal milestone.  It is a powerful affirmation that the work we are doing in Barbados and across the Caribbean is meaningful and globally relevant,” she said. 

“This fellowship is an honour, and also a responsibility to continue leading with purpose, to inspire student nurses, nurses and nurse leaders, to ensure that our region remains a vital contributor to the future of global health.”  

The AAN Fellowship is one of the highest honours in the nursing profession, and is awarded to healthcare professionals whose work has had a transformative impact on their communities.  

The Class of 2025 Fellows will be the largest cohort in the organisation’s history, with inductees representing 42 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries. Barbados was the only Caribbean country to have a nurse recognised this year.

The official induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 during the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference in Washington, DC. There, Dr Sealy will join more than 3 000 active Fellows who serve as thought leaders and influencers shaping health care policy globally. (PR)