A Tribute to Dr. Diane Billings.

I mid-August, the 2015 selection of the American Academy of Nursing’s Living Legends was announced. Living Legend (or “LLs,” as some like to call themselves) is probably the highest distinction a nurse can attain. Being inducted into the American Academy of Nursing is a challenge in itself. One has to have made consistent and distinctive contributions to the profession to become a Fellow. There are fewer than 3,000 Fellows (with the credential FAAN) in the world. If that doesn’t sound impressive, recall that nurses number more than 3 million in the United States alone (Health Resources and Services Administration, 2013)! Fewer than 100 of the Fellows have been selected to be Living Legends since the program’s inception in 1994. This year, Dr. Diane M. Billings, Associate Editor of the “Teaching Tips” column in The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing (JCEN), is among those to be honored. Dr. Billings joins Signe Skott Cooper, who was an influential leader in continuing education and JCEN Board member who received this distinction in 2003. The JCEN Editorial Board and staff join together in applauding the tremendous accomplishments of Dr. Billings. Her reach is felt internationally. The American Academy of Nursing (2015) says this about Diane: