Two faculty made fellows of professional associations
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Associate professor Janna Stephens, PhD, RN, FAHA, was elected as a fellow of the American Heart Association, and clinical assistant professor Leah Burt, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC, CHSE, was accepted as a fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Janna Stephens
Stephens, who is head of the Department of Population Health Nursing Science, has focused her research on cardiovascular disease prevention in underserved populations. She is principal investigator on an NIH-funded grant to reduce cardiovascular risk factors in Black young adults.
Her election as a fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA) means that she is being recognized for her scientific and professional accomplishments and contributions, volunteer leadership and service supporting the overall AHA mission. Earning the FAHA designation demonstrates her acceptance into one of the world’s most renowned organizations.
Leah Burt
Leah Burt is a board-certified Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner who maintains an active clinical practice within the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System’s Department of Emergency Medicine. She is also director of the Adult Gerontology Primary Care-NP program and was one of five scholars nationwide to be chosen for the Macy Faculty Scholars program in 2025.
She is one of 51 AANP members accepted as a fellow this year. Established in 2000, the program recognizes nurse practitioner leaders who have made outstanding contributions to NP education, policy, clinical practice and research. She will be inducted on June 19 at the 2025 AANP National Conference in San Diego.