Ruth Nelson Knollmueller

Outstanding Achievement Award Recipient

School of Nursing, May 10, 2006

Ruth Nelson Knollmueller is a 1959 BSN graduate from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. After graduating, she went on to become a public health nurse, educator and administrator for more than 45 years. She is considered a leader nationally in public health nursing and home care. She served in faculty positions in nursing at Yale University, University of Kentucky, University of Connecticut, and the University of Texas at Galveston. At Yale University, she was instrumental in creating the first family nurse practitioner program in Connecticut and the first NP program in the state to be based in a graduate program. She also worked to establish the American Nurses' Association's (ANA) Council of Primary Care Nursing and co-authored the ANA's first scope of practice statement and standards of practice for adult and family nurse practitioners. Because of her leadership, the Connecticut Association of Public Health Nurses (CAPHN) was formed. She has authored or co-authored seven books and over 50 articles. In addition, she is the recipient of several distinguished awards such as the "Josephine Dolan Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Practice," the highest honors that the Connecticut nursing community bestows.

Biographies are as-of time of award presentation.