Patricia Gerrity, RN, PhD, FAAN has been Associate Dean of Community Programs, College of Nursing & Health Professions at Drexel University since 1996. She was selected as a Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow in 2002, and served as a fellow at the International Center for Health Leadership Development from 1998-2000. In 2007, she was selected as an “Edge Runner” as part of the American Academy of Nursing’s Raise the Voice Campaign.

“I am a public health nurse who has found inspiration in this quote by Victor Hugo: ‘Man is the only animal that cries because man alone sees the difference between what is and what could be.’ Many people, including academics, had assessed and surveyed the community in North Philadelphia, noted the level of poor health and commented on the variety of needs. Unfortunately, they left without providing any programs or services. In contrast, when I and my public health faculty colleagues and students began our partnership with the community residents, we listened to their problems and self-identified needs and responded with “It doesn’t have to be that way”. Seeing the ‘difference between what is and what could’ be is a hallmark of public health nursing. As a result, we went about providing services that met the community’s needs. We formed a strong partnership with them, and allowed the services to evolve to meet the needs.”

“Don’t be afraid to take risks. A management philosophy of stepping outside the box and promoting trials and risk-taking have led to the development of a successful model of community based care. Including a strong evaluative component helped to document quality and cost and began to help change policy and practice.”