The healthcare community mourns the loss of Dr. Loretta “Lee” Ford (1920-2025), whose groundbreaking work revolutionized modern healthcare delivery. Dr. Ford, alongside Dr. Henry Silver, established the first nurse practitioner program in 1965, creating a new category of healthcare provider that would transform patient care across the globe.

Early Career

From her early career as a nurse during World War II to becoming a distinguished leader in healthcare education, Dr. Ford’s vision helped bridge critical gaps in patient care access. Her innovative program at the University of Colorado became the model for thousands of nurse practitioner programs worldwide.

Prestigious Honors

Throughout her career, Dr. Ford earned numerous prestigious honors, including induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and receiving the Surgeon General’s Medallion. Her work laid the foundation for the advanced practice nursing roles that are vital to today’s healthcare industry, including the aesthetic medicine field.

Legacy in Healthcare

Dr. Ford’s legacy continues to influence healthcare delivery across all specialties, demonstrating how visionary leadership can transform an entire industry. Her contributions have helped create the modern healthcare landscape where nurse practitioners play an essential role in providing high-quality, accessible care to patients.

The healthcare and aesthetic medicine communities remember Dr. Ford as a transformative figure whose work continues to shape how medical services are delivered today. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her vision for accessible, high-quality healthcare lives on through the thousands of nurse practitioners serving communities worldwide. 🕊️