OKLAHOMA CITY – Assistant Professor Joyce Tow, Ph.D., APRN-CNP, WHNP-BC, RNC-OB, from the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, was inducted as a Fellow into the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses June 19 at the 2023 AWHONN National Convention in New Orleans. Tow is one of 33 nurses selected to join the association’s inaugural class.

The Fellow of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses  recognizes nurse leaders who have made substantive and sustained contributions to the health of women and newborns beyond the expectations of their role. They have demonstrated outstanding contributions to clinical practice, research, education, advocacy or policy at the regional, national or global level that is reflective of the organization’s mission and vision. Becoming an AWHONN Fellow demonstrates a commitment to the profession and to the highest standards of nursing care in the specialty of women’s health, obstetric or neonatal nursing.

“Dr. Tow has been heavily involved in AWHONN throughout her career in nursing in addition to other professional and community service organizations. She has been a member since 1994 and has served in a variety of roles, including on the Nebraska Chapter Educational Planning Committee and National Advisory Panel and, most recently (2023) as the AWHONN Oklahoma professional development coordinator,” said Karina M. Shreffler, Ph.D., chair for Child and Family Health Sciences with OU College of Nursing.