The Journal of School Nursing2024, Vol. 40(5) 467© The Author(s) 2024Article reuse guidelines:sagepub.com/journals-permissionsDOI: 10.1177/10598405241280726journals.sagepub.com/home/jsn
It is with great sorrow that we inform our JOSN (Journal of School Nursing) readers that Dr. Julia Munnich Cowell passed away after a brief illness on August 12, 2024. Julia’s devotion to, and passion for school nursing research was unparalleled, and her impact on our community is deep. She served as the Executive Editor of JOSN from 2009 to 2020, and though she retired in 2020, Julia remained the journal’s most avid advocate and reviewer, not to mention being our steadfast mentor. As editor, she made significant and impactful contributions to the already respected journal and transformed it into the prestigious school nursing research journal as it is known today, attracting scientists and authors globally committed to advancing nursing science. During her tenure as editor, manuscript submissions grew from 90 to 310 submissions per year. She worked tirelessly to encourage, guide, and support the dissemination efforts of new scientists, established researchers, and leaders, as well as encouraged the scholarly inquiry endeavors of practitioners.
Julia’s success as the JOSN editor was built on her decades of experience in advanced nursing education and research. In 1985, at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC), she developed and delivered the first online school nurse certification program, educating hundreds of Illinois school nurses to be leaders and advocates for child health. As faculty at UIC, she engaged in research and developed students into scientists while never forgetting how nursing science is developed from and informs nursing practice. She later became Department Chair of Community and Mental Health Nursing at Rush University, where she continued to advance school nursing and population health nursing science.
Julia’s professional and personal generosity is legendary. As we shared the news of her death with her academic, nursing, and school nursing colleagues, we heard countless stories about Julia’s impact on their careers. Julia was thorough and direct with her critiques, yet full of encouragement and affirmation, such that recipients always felt supported and inspired to continue with their work. She shepherded many JOSN authors through their first publication, sponsored students and faculty for professional awards, and accelerated school nurses’ careers by promoting them for highly visible roles as national reviewers and book editors. Never one to grab the spotlight for herself, Julia selflessly stood aside so that the newer generation could benefit from any recognition or accolades. Her extraordinary influence extends beyond the United States, as school nursing researchers around the globe are mourning her loss.
Dr. Julia Muennich Cowell left an indelible impact on the journal and the profession of school nursing in general. When asked in her final days what she would like to be remembered for, Julia’s response was “my commitment, passion, and advocacy for school nursing science.” She will be greatly missed, but we take comfort in knowing that her legacy is the legions of nurses she mentored over her 58-year nursing career who will carry on her passion for child health and school nursing. Her commitment, passion, and advocacy live in all of us.
Martha Dewey Bergren, PhD, RN, NCSN, PHNA-BC, FNASN, FASHA, FAAN Executive Editor, The Journal of School Nursing
Mayumi Willgerodt, PhD, MS/MPH, RN, FAAN, FNASN Member, Editorial Advisory Board, The Journal of School Nursing
Martha Dewey Bergren: Conceptualization; Investigation; Writing – original draft; Writing – review & editing.
Mayumi Willgerodt: Conceptualization; Validation; Writing – original draft; Writing – review & editing.
Martha Dewey Bergren https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8655-5418
Mayumi Willgerodt https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9874-3739
