News — HOUSTON 鈥� today announced a $9 million gift from the F. W. Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler Foundation to establish the F. W. Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy.
The Wheeler Foundation’s gift supports MD Anderson’s innovative efforts to cultivate the next generation of oncology nurse leaders as part of the . The Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy will focus on providing the coaching and mentoring infrastructure to ensure nurses are equipped with the unique skills to position them as successful leaders.
“Nurses play a vital role in MD Anderson’s ability to deliver exceptional patient care. The Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy is a powerful endorsement of our commitment to support and empower the 5,000+ incredible nurses who provide best-in-class cancer care to our patients every day,” said , president of MD Anderson. “We are deeply grateful for the Wheeler Foundation’s generous gift and the many contributions to the nursing profession that will stem from this gift for years to come.”
Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy
The Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy will help nurses align their passion for clinical excellence with their desire for lifelong learning, social impact and work-life balance. The academy will solidify educational and leadership development opportunities for nurses at MD Anderson at every level of their career, empowering them to reach their personal and professional goals.
“Nurse leaders should be prominently represented across the institution, from the front line to the executive offices, to incorporate their unique perspectives,” said Kim Slusser, chief nursing officer ad interim and associate chief nursing officer at MD Anderson. “The Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy will provide opportunities for our nurses to learn, develop and enhance their leadership skills, enabling them to reimagine their positions — and themselves — in new ways.”
The Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy will work closely with MD Anderson’s to create curriculum focused on the needs of oncology nurses throughout their nursing careers. The program will adopt a dynamic mix of learning approaches, including in-person sessions and virtual learning, complemented by self-directed study and mentorship opportunities.
With a strong emphasis on longitudinal learning, the curriculum will be structured to provide ongoing, progressive learning opportunities. The program also will bring external experts and specialists from various fields to provide fresh insights, innovative practices and an enriched learning environment.
Transforming the future of nursing
The Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy is the latest addition to the Meyers Institute, which launched in 2023. The Meyers Institute represents a $50 million joint commitment by MD Anderson and the institute’s namesake, Howard Meyers, to advance the field of oncology nursing through a first-of-its-kind institute focused on educational, professional and wellness-based resources tailored to oncology nurses and nurse scientists.
Both the Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy and the Meyers Institute build upon MD Anderson’s existing reputation as a premier institution for nursing. Since 2001, MD Anderson has earned five consecutive Magnet Recognition Program® designations from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which recognizes health care organizations for superior patient outcomes, teamwork and innovations in professional nursing practice.
This designation contributes to MD Anderson’s consistent ranking among the nation’s top hospitals for cancer care in . With more than 5,000 registered nurses and the largest active cancer clinical trials program in the country, MD Anderson offers a unique, collaborative environment for nurses to lead in the administration of research and management of cancer care.
“MD Anderson is uniquely positioned to transform oncology nursing by driving industry change and improving the health care system at large,” said , senior vice president and chief operating officer at MD Anderson. “The Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy is the next step in setting the nursing gold standard for cancer centers around the world.”
An enduring legacy of impact
“Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler believed in the power of education and the critical role that nurses play in health care,” said Donald A. Adam, president and chairman of the F. W. Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler Foundation. “This gifting opportunity is a meaningful tribute to their legacy, as they experienced firsthand the compassionate care of dedicated nurses later in life. The skilled professionals who cared for them enhanced their well-being and extended their lives. In keeping with their values, we are committed to stewarding the foundation funds in a way that honors the wishes of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler and their enduring impact.”
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