Linda Aiken is arguably the most influential nurse of modern history, and she is also a Gator Nurse. Aiken received her BSN in 1964 and MSN in 1966 under the mentorship and guidance of founding dean, Dorothy Smith. Her research has had a monumental influence on patient safety and the nursing profession. In 2016, she established the Linda Harman Aiken Professorship.

This year, between Sept. 10 – 30, she challenged all UF College of Nursing alumni and friends to contribute to the Linda Harman Aiken Professorship Fund, and pledged to match all donations up to $10,000. Gator Nurses certainly rose to the challenge. With about a week left in the challenge, the original goal was met, so Aiken announced she would continue to match all gifts up to $20,000.

More than doubling the initial goal, the final amount raised totaled $41,736. This money will benefit the Linda Harman Aiken Professorship Fund, established in 2016 by Aiken to continue the legacy of excellence in leadership and research at the College of Nursing.