Nursing alumna Dr. Anna Dermenchyan named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing

Dr. Anna Dermenchyan, PhD, RN, CCRN, CPHQ, an alumna of the UCLA School of Nursing, was named a 2025 Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), one of the highest honors in the nursing profession. Her election to the AAN fellowship is particularly noteworthy this year, as the academy received a record number of applications.

“Being named a fellow is a tremendous honor and a deeply meaningful milestone in my career. It’s incredibly rewarding to have my work in nursing, healthcare quality, advocacy, and policy recognized at the national level,” Dermenchyan said. “I’m excited to join a community of leaders who are shaping the future of health and to use this platform to continue driving improvements in policy, equity, and care delivery. This recognition validates years of effort and inspires me to keep advocating for meaningful change in the profession and beyond.”

Dermenchyan earned both her Master of Science in Nursing and PhD from the UCLA School of Nursing. During her doctoral program, she was selected as a Jonas Policy Scholar with the American Academy of Nursing and contributed to national policy efforts focused on healthy work environments and the prevention of workplace violence in healthcare settings. Her work included co-authoring publications that informed best practices and engaging with media outlets such as CBS News and NPR’s AirTalk to raise public awareness about the impact of patient violence on the nursing workforce. 

As an alumna‑turned‑leader, Dr. Dermenchyan now serves as Interim Chief Quality Officer for UCLA Health’s Department of Medicine. Her career began in the Cardiothoracic ICU at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and she has since led numerous systemwide initiatives to advance quality and patient safety.

Dermenchyan is deeply committed to addressing systemic gaps, improving interdisciplinary collaboration, and advancing health equity. She has held national leadership roles, including a three‑year term on the American Association of Critical‑Care Nurses’ board, serving during the height of the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Dr. Dermenchyan’s nomination to the Academy was supported by Kristen R. Choi, PhD, MS, RN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN, Associate Professor and Audrienne H. Moseley Chair in Nursing at the UCLA School of Nursing, and Beth B. Tigges, PhD, RN, PPCNP-BC, FAAN, Professor at The University of New Mexico College of Nursing and Past President of Sigma Nursing. Their mentorship and endorsement reflect the meaningful professional relationships that have shaped Dr. Dermenchyan’s career and exemplify the collaborative spirit of the Academy.