Dr. Marcia Andersen – a passionate and tireless crusader for the professional practice of nursing – died peacefully, Tuesday, June 5, surrounded by friends and family, at the age of 69.
A pioneer in the field of nursing, Dr. Andersen was the first ever to receive a Doctor of Philosophy in nursing from the University of Michigan. Her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing were also from the University of Michigan.
“Marcia was a brilliant nurse and a true trailblazer in the field,” said Dean Kathleen Potempa. “She made significant contributions in nursing and patient care during her life time and her work will continue to guide us into the future.”
Dr. Andersen spent the beginning of her career focused on developing the Personalized Nursing LIGHT Practice Model of care for treating substance abusers. Her LIGHT Model of care is based on the Nursing Science of Unitary Human Beings proposed by her longtime spiritual and philosophical mentor, Dr. Martha Rogers of New York University. The goal of the LIGHT model is to assist addicts to improve their health and well-being so that they can begin to heal themselves and decrease their drug use.
Dr. Andersen and her LIGHT Model have made a significant impact on the University of Michigan School of Nursing [UMSN] faculty and students. “I have many memories of Marcia, and her Personalized Nursing LIGHT Practice Model has guided me in my teaching as well as my personal life,” said Dr. Linda Strodtman, assistant professor. “Her video about the model is superb and the communication skills that she demonstrated in that film are valuable in today’s practice.”
Read more about her life and accomplishments here.
