Associate professor, researcher, and mentor is the latest IHP faculty to join an esteemed group

Clara Gona thought she was living her dream. After all, she is an associate professor in the MGH Institute’s School of Nursing; she is mentoring young faculty and students here at the IHP and Massachusetts General Hospital; conducting research with Zimbabwean immigrants and she travels every year to Africa to teach and mentor students pursue. With three of her loves rolled into one job, Gona thought life and her position in it couldn’t get much better. 

Then came the email from the American Academy of Nursing notifying the veteran nurse that she had been selected to be a Fellow, the highest honor bestowed on a nurse from the world’s most prestigious nursing organization. Being named a Fellow speaks volumes of one’s career and accomplishments and of one’s impact in healthcare.

“I think this is the pinnacle of a career that people outside of my institution respect,” said Gona. “It doesn’t feel like I have arrived, but instead, it’s confirmation that the work I do matters.”

Gona, a Zimbabwe native, joined the MGH Institute in 2011 and has been a nurse since 1988; currently, she is a nurse practitioner at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Brighton. While the work she has done in her 36-year career has been varied, she thinks it’s the research on African immigrants, mentoring, and her efforts at ensuring equity that resonated with the Academy. 

“I think this is really like the cherry on top,” said Gona. “It’s like this little girl who had dreams - I never thought I could reach this level. It was good enough for me to get my PhD, and I'm teaching, and I'm doing research. But for me to be recognized by others, it's the cherry on top. It's great.”

Gona, who was nominated by then School of Nursing dean Ken White and Director of Faculty Development Elaine Tagliareni, will be formally inducted on November 2 at the AAN’s annual ceremony that will be held in Washington, DC. 

“I am honored to support recognition of Clara’s community-engaged research and advocacy for practitioners and students to better serve marginalized communities and to address existing health inequities,” said Tagliareni. “Clara has been influential in inspiring global and regional nursing students to consider conducting research and raising clinical questions that address the needs of diverse patient populations. She truly embraces the American Academy of Nursing’s mission to achieve health equity by impacting policy through nursing leadership and science.”

As it does every year, a Fellow’s selection comes after a rigorous process that includes seven layers of evaluation before a submission is even voted on. Gona’s inclusion brings to 12 the number of IHP faculty members who are Fellows in the Academy.

Gona is well aware of what being a Fellow means, but she’s also aware of the support that provided the boost to make it possible. 

“My colleagues at the IHP have mentored me so I think this is also a testament to the type of institution that we are,” concluded Gona. “They could see something in me really when I sometimes I couldn't even see it myself. And they nurtured me and helped me along the way to where I am now. I appreciate it. 

“Usually when you see people who are from diverse backgrounds, most of the time they don't have anybody to mentor them. But I've been lucky - I have received fabulous mentors and as a result, I feel like I have to pass it on and mentor other people. The IHP has been fantastic.”

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