The American Academy of Nursing serves the public and the nursing profession by advancing health policy and science through organizational excellence and effective nursing leadership. Every day across America, the Academy and its members create and execute knowledge-driving and policy-related initiates to improve America's health system. The Academy is comprised of over 2,900 members, referred to as Fellows, which include nursing's most accomplished leaders in education, management, practice and research. They have been recognized for their extraordinary nursing careers. An annual meeting and conference, held each fall, offers Fellows an opportunity to share their work and ideas on how to implement and effect change.