Remembering the Life of Winifred Logan, Executive Director at ICN 1978-1980

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Winifred Logan. Winifred was a pioneering nurse theorist, educator and leader, whose name is familiar to nurses around the world. She was also a former Executive Director of the International Council of Nurses (ICN). On behalf of ICN’s Board and staff, we give our sincere and deepest condolences to her family.

Although her time as ICN Executive Director was relatively short, 1978-1980, her leadership was truly inspiring at a time when many issues that we still face today, such as children’s rights and women’s rights, were coming to the fore.

It is without doubt that Winifred’s true legacy is her contribution to the development of the first, and most influential, UK model of nursing – one that bears her name: the Roper-Logan-Tierney model of nursing. This pioneering work influenced the development of nursing models throughout the world. But she will also be remembered for her work on the development of the first graduate and post-graduate nurse education and research programme in Europe, at the University of Edinburgh. These achievements will endure far beyond her lifespan, and will continue to be studied by nursing students around the world.

Her illustrious career also took her beyond the UK. Her work in Canada in the 1950s helped her realize the importance of biological, psychological, sociocultural and environmental factors in giving nursing care, which led to her developing the model of nursing that carries her name.  She also worked for the World Health Organization in Malaysia, Europe and Iraq, and served as Chief Nurse of Abu Dhabi, where she established nursing services.

Winifred’s incredible work has impacted and influenced nursing care globally for decades, and ICN is honoured to recognize the important role she played in our organization and in nursing worldwide.