Jo Anne Horsley

Jo Horsley passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at University of Michigan Hospital. She was born in Bay City, Michigan to Fern and Lee Horsley and grew up in MIdland where her father was a chemist at Dow Chemical Company. She is survived by her brothers Herbert (Emelie) Horsley and Geri Horsley, her sister Barbara (Steven) Hauck, and her friend Joyce Crane. Jo enrolled in the School of Nursing at the University of Michigan in 1958, completing her BSN in 1962, her Masters of Science in Psychiatric Nursing in 1968, and her PhD in Educational Psychology in 1971. She was always very proud to be a three-time University of Michigan graduate and an avid fan of Michigan sports, especially football.

Her professional academic career began at Indiana University School of Nursing (1971-73), she returned to the University of Michigan School of Nursing (1973-81), then was recruited to the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Nursing (1981-97).

Jo taught Psychiatric Nursing and conducted research related to the development and implementation of a model to facilitate the use of scientific nursing knowledge in clinical practice at both the University of Michigan and Oregon Health Sciences University.

Jo’s most recognized contribution to the nursing profession was the Conduct and Utilization of Research in Nursing (CURN) Project. The CURN project with Dr. Joyce Crane as Co-Investigator, was landmark and innovative for its day as it was one of the original, if not the first funded study of research utilization in practice. It was also innovative for its collaboration across the Michigan State Nurses’ Association, the University of Michigan School of Nursing, The Michigan State University School of Nursing, and 34 departments of nursing in hospitals in Michigan. The extent of the dissemination for the project was exemplary and remains available today in the scientific literature and on the internet. The CURN project has also provided sustained recognition of nursing research at the University of Michigan School of Nursing.

Dr. Horsley’s recognition as a national leader is evident in that she was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing in 1981, within the first five years of the Academy. In 1990 she received the University of Michigan Medical Center Alumni Society Award for Outstanding Service. Mentoring of colleagues and the next generation of clinicians, researchers and scholars was central to her career. The impact of Jo’s vision, leadership and scholarship continue today.

After retiring from Oregon Health Sciences University, Jo returned to Ann Arbor in 2003 to live at University Commons and to enjoy once again everything that Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan have to offer.

At Jo’s request, there will not be a Memorial or Celebration of Life event in Ann Arbor or in her home town of Midland, Michigan. A private burial will take place in the near future in Midland.

Memorial gifts to honor Jo may be made to the Jo Anne Horsley Faculty Research Fund at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 400 N. Ingalls, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482; by calling 1-888-518-7888; or by going to this online giving link at:

https://victo.rs/2IecD5m