Dean Martha N. Hill, PhD, RN, FAAN, has handed out more than her fair share of degrees and fellowships. On April 21, it was her turn.

Hill, who leaves her post as dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (JHUSON) this summer, was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by London’s Royal College of Nursing at its 2013 Congress in Liverpool. The award is “in honor of the outstanding contribution you have made to healthcare,” said Andrea Spyropoulos, president of the RCN. “Martha is a world-renowned researcher, educator, and champion for nursing. She has made a seminal impact to the development of cardiovascular interventions in hard-to-reach groups using innovative ways of reaching out to patients.”

RCN Fellowships are awarded to individuals who are not nurses, but have had a significant impact on nursing or health care. They may also be bestowed upon nurses registered outside the UK who have made an exceptional contribution within their country or internationally.

“I don’t make a habit of looking back at what I’ve accomplished or, even more importantly, helped others to accomplish. There’s so much more to do,” said Hill, whose motto “Onward!” has defined her career path. “It’s quite flattering to know that someone else is noticing, though. I am honored, and it was great fun.”

Hill will be the guest speaker at JHUSON’s May 23 Diploma and Awards ceremony and, after stepping down as dean, will return to the teaching faculty to resume her groundbreaking research in cardiovascular health.

To watch Dean Hill receive her award, go to “Opening ceremony” at http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/congress/2013/archive_webcast (about the 1:10:20 mark).

Learn more about the JHUSON Department of Community-Public Health.