The problem: The U.S. elderly population is growing rapidly, and the proportion of Arkansas's population that is over 65 (14 percent in 2000) is among the highest in the country. In 1997, with a $29-million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences created a department of geriatrics and a state-of-the-art facility to house geriatrics programs. But reaching the dispersed geriatric population would require a network of regional centers throughout the state.

The proposal: Claudia Beverly, Ph.D., M.N.Sc., a professor of nursing experienced in geriatrics, became associate director of the new Reynolds Center and a vice chairperson in the new department. With a Ph.D. in nursing under her belt (1994) and having held leadership roles in community and professional groups, she turned to the Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellows Program to enhance her capability to make a major contribution to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' expanded efforts in geriatric care.

Grantee perspective/results: For her fellowship project, Beverly took a key role in developing a Center on Aging satellite center in Springdale, Ark., dedicated to providing clinical care to the elderly as well as related education and disease-prevention services. The Schmieding Center for Senior Health and Education, as it became known, opened in temporary quarters in 1999, made possible with a $15-million donation from Lawrence H. Schmieding, an Arkansas executive. By the time it moved to its permanent 27,500-square-foot building in April 2002, its interdisciplinary team of geriatric specialists had treated nearly 3,500 seniors.

In addition to developing plans for the facility and its programs, Beverly coordinated an administrative team of representatives from the partner organizations and evaluated results of the new operation. She gained experience collaborating with a range of people and disciplines—including attorneys, accountants and CEOs—and with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

"While I have a strong background bringing diverse groups to the table, this was a unique opportunity to work with so many different individuals from top-level positions," she says.

Previously one to second-guess her abilities and contribution, Beverly says the fellowship helped hone her skills and increased her confidence to interact at the top levels. It also raised her professional focus to a new level-from management aimed at achieving everyday organizational goals to leadership that encourages a diverse group of people to share the same vision and work together to realize it. "The fellowship helped me to grow," she says.

Using funds from the state's share of the national tobacco settlement, the Reynolds Center developed plans to implement six additional satellite aging centers around the state, modeled after the Schmieding facility. Beverly was named to direct implementation of this network of regional centers, known as the Arkansas Aging Initiative.

RWJF perspective: The Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellows Program was created in 1997 to capitalize on the profession's strengths and build the leadership capacity of nursing. "Nurses are in a unique position to serve in leadership roles and contribute to transforming our health care system," says Susan Hassmiller, Ph.D., R.N., RWJF senior program officer.

"The executive nurses program is part of the Foundation's building human capital strategy to attract, develop and retain diverse and high quality leaders and a work force to improve health and health care," says Hassmiller.