Media Release

Udupi, Jul 4: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, has congratulated Dr Judith Angelitta Noronha, professor and dean, Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), Manipal, who has been selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) as part of its distinguished Class of 2026 Fellows.

The American Academy of Nursing announced the 2026 Class of Fellows on June 25, 2026, recognising accomplished nursing leaders from across the world for their outstanding contributions to health outcomes through excellence in education, research, innovation, leadership, and health policy. Widely regarded as one of the highest distinctions in the nursing profession, the AAN Fellowship recognises individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on healthcare and the nursing profession globally.

The 2026 cohort comprises eminent nursing leaders representing 39 US states, the District of Columbia, and 17 countries, reflecting a diverse and influential community of professionals dedicated to transforming healthcare through scholarship, evidence-based practice, policy, and innovation. Dr Noronha's selection places her among this distinguished international network of nursing leaders.

Congratulating Dr Noronha on thisachievement, Dr Sharath K. Rao, vice chancellor, MAHE, said, "Dr Judith Angelitta Noronha's selection as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing is a matter of immense pride for MAHE and the Indian nursing fraternity. This prestigious international recognition acknowledges her outstanding contributions to nursing education, research, and leadership over several decades.”

Expressing her gratitude, Dr Judith Angelitta Noronha, professor and dean, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, said, "I am deeply honoured and humbled to be inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. This recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the collective efforts of my colleagues, students, and mentors who have been part of my academic and professional journey.”

The formal induction of the 2026 Class of Fellows will take place during the American Academy of Nursing's Health Policy Conference in Washington DC, from October 8 to 10, with the induction ceremony on the final day of the conference.