By Laura Gasque
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing alumna Sheila Melander, PhD, APRN-BC, FCCM, FAANP, FAAN (PhD 1990), is the recipient of the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. Melander is a nationally recognized leader in adult-gerontological acute care, with more than two decades of experience as a cardiovascular acute care nurse practitioner.
The NONPF Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes those whose contributions have been visionary in successfully development and promoting the role of nurse practitioners.
Melander served as NONPF President from 2014-16. During her tenure, she led critical policy initiatives, including the development of the Statement on Acute Care and Primary Care Certified Nurse Practitioners and a multi-organizational white paper addressing nurse practitioner employment—both widely adopted in primary and acute care settings nationwide. She also contributed to revisions of the ACNP Scope and Standards and helped establish the 2012 and 2016 adult gerontological acute care NP competencies.
Melander started and taught in one of the earliest master’s-level ACNP tracks in the country. She is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Society of Critical Care Medicine. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the UAB School of Nursing in 1990.
“I am very thankful for the time spent at UAB and the valuable lessons learned which brought many mentors into my life and have helped guide my path,” Melander said.
In 2021, the School named Melander one of its 70 Visionary Leaders.