Faye Glenn Abdellah was an American nurse and nursing theorist who made significant contributions to the development of nursing as a profession. She was born on March 13, 1919, in New York City and passed away on February 24, 2017.

• Abdellah received her nursing diploma from the Ann May School of Nursing in 1942 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Columbia University School of Nursing in 1945. She later earned a Master’s degree in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Columbia University.
• Abdellah served as the Deputy Surgeon General of the United States and the Chief Nurse Officer of the U.S. Public Health Service. She was the first nurse and the first woman to hold these positions. She was also a professor of nursing at several universities, including the Yale University School of Nursing, and a prolific author and researcher.
• Abdellah is best known for her theory of patient-centered care, which emphasizes the importance of addressing the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs of patients. Her theory identified 21 nursing problems that nurses could use to guide their care and interventions. She believed that nurses should be leaders in promoting health and preventing illness, and that nursing care should be based on scientific knowledge and evidence.
• Abdellah received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to nursing, including the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2000. Her legacy continues to inspire nursing education, research, and practice today.