Joan Loftus, director and chair of nursing at Colby-Sawyer College, has been named the top Academic Nurse Educator/Researcher in New Hampshire Magazine’s 9th Annual Excellence in Nursing Awards  issue.       

New Hampshire Magazine collaborated with the New Hampshire Nurses Association to highlight nurses’ vital contributions in 16 specialties, from pediatrics and public health.  

Loftus said being selected for the award means a great deal because it reflects her commitment to nursing education and to preparing future nurses. “It also directly reflects the never-ending support and incredible hard work of my colleagues here at CSC,” she said. 

The Academic Nurse Educator/Researcher Award is presented to a nurse in academia who educates students at the associate, bachelor's, master’s or doctoral levels and who integrates best research, clinical expertise and patient values in making decisions about the care of patients. 

Loftus teaches courses in Colby-Sawyer's Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. 

Nursing and nursing education, she said, have evolved from concentrating on tasks and skills to emphasizing clinical judgment and patient outcomes in an evidence-based discipline. 

“As healthcare becomes even more complex due to an aging population and advances in technology, educators are continually challenged to prepare nurses today in new ways,” she said. “In our work, we focus on building confidence, critical thinking and compassion that students will need to care for patients in today’s complex healthcare environment.” 

The associate professor told New Hampshire Magazine that listening is also a critical attribute of nurses and educators, and that excellence in the field grows from relationships, continuous learning and a genuine desire to serve others. 

“By listening carefully to students and colleagues, I can build trust, support meaningful learning, and make decisions grounded in real experiences and needs,” she said. “In many ways, listening is at the heart of nursing as it is how we show empathy, respect and genuine care for the whole person.” 

An independent committee of nursing leaders from adjoining states selected Loftus as the winner based on nominators’ comments about her leadership, advocacy, communication and collaboration, ethical practice and professionalism. 

Colby-Sawyer Assistant Professor Arianna Anton was one of a number of colleagues who submitted nominations in support of Loftus. Anton also spoke at a recent surprise party that celebrated Loftus’ latest accomplishment. 

Anton said Loftus elevates those around her and leads with integrity, emotional intelligence and deep respect. Loftus, she said, has created not just programs, but also a culture where students, faculty and partners can truly thrive. 

“One of my favorite reflections, shared in the nomination by Sue Reeves ’88 [chief nursing executive for the Dartmouth Health system], described Joan as the kind of leader who doesn’t need to ‘fill the room,’ but, instead, quietly leads meaningful, lasting change,” said Anton.  

"As someone who has experienced her mentorship firsthand as a student and now as a colleague, I can say that her impact is both profound and enduring.” 

In addition to teaching, mentoring, advising, expanding degree offerings, collaboratively developing curricula and helping bring an international nursing honor society to campus, Loftus recently worked with advancement colleagues to secure scholarships to make college more accessible to nursing students. 

Peter White, dean of the School of Nursing & Health Sciences, said Loftus’ vision, commitment and dedication are examples for colleagues across campus. “Dr. Loftus has created a successful environment in which our faculty, staff and students can excel,” White wrote.  

One example, he said, is the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing students’ 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for two consecutive years. 

Former faculty colleague Joan Huber, who was a senior White House nurse for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, described Loftus as “the epitome of a nurse educator.”  

Huber said Loftus keeps the nursing program — which has expanded considerably during her tenure — “on a steady course of excellence.” 

Loftus' areas of expertise include critical care nursing and geriatrics, particularly the care of patients with dementia and delirium.

“I was drawn early in my baccalaureate program to the fast-paced, dynamic environment of the ICU (intensive care unit) and the never-ending opportunities for learning it offered,” she said. 

“At the same time, the aging process has always fascinated me and led me to focus on improving outcomes for older adults in critical care. These experiences have certainly carried into my work in nursing education, where we help students learn how to provide compassionate and high-quality care to all patient populations. It is exciting to see students discover their own passion for nursing.” 

Loftus holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Wilkes University, a Master of Science in Nursing with a geriatric nurse practitioner certification from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wilkes College. 

Three Colby-Sawyer alumnae who work within the Dartmouth Health  system also earned an Excellence in Nursing Award: Alison Patten ’87, Erin Ryan ’18 and Rebecca Socci ’16.  

Patten, who has worked in the intensive care nursery at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center since 1987, was recognized in the Maternal-Child Nursing category. Patten told the magazine she tries to make one of the most difficult times in a family’s life a bit better. 

Ryan, a clinical nurse at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, New Hampshire, was honored in the RN category. Ryan co-chairs the med-surg unit-based council and cares for patients with delirium. She is also a preceptor and assists newly licensed and experienced nurses transition to nursing at APD. 

Socci, who directs clinical education at New London Hospital, earned the Professional Nurse Educator Award. She told the magazine that nursing centers around the needs of her patients, which inspires her to strive for excellence. 

Loftus, Patten, Ryan, Socci and the other winners will be recognized at the New Hampshire Nurses Association annual fall meeting.