Cleveland State University (CSU) is pleased to announce that Heather M. Rice, Ph.D., CPNP-PC, PMHS has been selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (Academy). Rice is an associate professor and nurse scientist at CSU. Induction into the Academy is a significant milestone in a nurse leader’s career in which their accomplishments are honored by their colleagues within and outside the profession. Fellows are selected based on their significant contributions and impact to advance the public’s health. 

The Academy is a policy organization and an honorific society that recognizes nursing's most accomplished leaders in policy, research, practice, administration and academia. Academy Fellows hold a wide variety of influential roles in health care and collectively they contribute their thought leadership to develop sound policy that helps to achieve the Academy’s vision of healthy lives for all people. 

“I am deeply honored 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 urgency of advancing maternal and infant health, particularly in addressing the persistent inequities that disproportionately affect African American families,” says Rice. “My commitment is to ensure that research translates into meaningful action, shaping policies, informing practice and creating community-centered solutions that save lives and strengthen families. As a Fellow, I look forward to joining this distinguished community of nurse leaders to collectively drive innovation, equity and excellence in nursing, and to reimagine a future where every mother and child has the opportunity to thrive.” 

Rice is a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry. Her program of research is dedicated to advancing maternal and infant health, with a focus on emotional wellness, birth equity and the prevention of maternal and infant mortality in African American communities. As principal investigator of Survive and Thrive, a multi-phase, state-funded research initiative, Rice leads an interdisciplinary team in developing and evaluating holistic, community-driven interventions that improve Black maternal health outcomes. 

A hallmark of her scholarship is the creation of Thrive, a mobile health application co-designed with community members to deliver culturally informed support for African American families throughout pregnancy and early parenthood. Her work underscores the urgent need for systemic reform in maternal healthcare, advocating for expanded access to culturally competent services such as Black midwifery and doula care. 

By centering the voices and lived experiences of Black women, Rice’s research bridges community knowledge and clinical science to inform both policy and practice. Her vision is to ensure safer pregnancies and healthier birth outcomes through evidence-based, community-centered strategies that not only address health disparities but also drive sustainable change in maternal health systems. 

“Dr. Heather Rice’s unshakeable commitment to the nursing profession, health equity and community wellness is evident in all she does,” says Stephanie Brooks, dean of CSU College of Health. “She demonstrates her devotion through consistent engagement with colleagues, research innovation and by reimagining how we deliver quality education to our students. Her work not only reflects the core values of our college but also exemplifies how faculty at Cleveland State University enhance the student experience and create infinite opportunities for student success, central to our Cleveland State United mission. I am proud to call her my colleague at Cleveland’s public research university.”  

The newest Fellows, selected from a sizeable and competitive pool of applicants, represent 42 states, the District of Columbia and 12 countries. Their unique expertise will soon bolster the collective impact of over 3,200 Academy Fellows. 

Rice and all the 2025 inductees will be recognized for their substantial, sustained and significant contributions to health and health care at the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, taking place Oct. 16–18 in Washington, D.C. during the Induction Ceremony on the evening of Oct. 18. After the ceremony, the new inductees can use their FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing) credential, the most prestigious recognition in nursing.  

Learn more about the Academy and visit the policy conference website for more details. For individuals interested in attending the Induction Ceremony, tickets can be purchased online.