Washington DC — The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is pleased to announce the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award is AWHONN’s most prestigious honor for those who have shown exemplary characteristics in the nursing care of women and newborns. This coveted award is given to an AWHONN member whose accomplishments in the specialties of women’s health, obstetric, and neonatal nursing and contributions to the association exemplify a commitment to excellence.

The 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to Diane Lynn Spatz, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN, FAWHONN.

Dr. Diane Spatz, a distinguished leader in perinatal and neonatal nursing, continues to make groundbreaking contributions to the field of human milk and breastfeeding research. With an extensive career dedicated to advancing neonatal nutrition and lactation science, Spatz has served as the principal investigator or co-investigator on over 50 research grants, including several from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She has authored and co-authored more than 265 peer-reviewed publications and more than ten book chapters, shaping the landscape of perinatal care.

“Human milk is a lifesaving medical intervention. Persistent barriers preventing families from making informed feeding choices for human milk feeding and reaching their personal breastfeeding goals. I am so honored to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award from AWHONN. I will continue to dedicate my efforts to address implicit basis and structural racism so that ALL families have equal access to evidence-based lactation education, intervention, support, and care. I dedicate this award to all the families I have had the privilege to care for, the students and nurses I have taught and mentored and learned from. I am proud to be an AWHONN member and to receive this honor,” said Dr. Spatz.

A recognized authority in lactation science, Spatz has played a pivotal role in developing professional guidelines, co-authoring position statements for leading organizations, including AWHONN, the International Lactation Consultant Association, the Society of Pediatric Nurses, and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. Her outstanding contributions to research earned her the prestigious AWHONN Excellence in Research Award and led to her induction as an AWHONN Fellow in 2023.

“Dr. Spatz’s groundbreaking contributions to human milk and breastfeeding research have transformed care for vulnerable infants worldwide. Her dedication to advancing evidence-based practices, influencing policy, and mentoring future generations of nurses and researchers is truly remarkable. We are honored to recognize her achievements and leadership in perinatal and neonatal nursing. Spatz’s work continues to shape the future of lactation science, ensuring better outcomes for mothers, parents and infants across the globe,” said AWHONN President Rose Horton, FAAN, NEA-BC, RNC-OB.

In 2004, Spatz developed the groundbreaking 10-Step Model for Human Milk and Breastfeeding in Vulnerable Infants. Recognized as an Edge Runner by the American Academy of Nursing, this evidence-based model has been implemented worldwide, leading to significant improvements in breastfeeding outcomes for high-risk infants.

Spatz’s expertise has been sought at the highest levels of policy and global health. She was the only PhD nurse appointed to the Congressional Taskforce on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women and has served on the World Health Organization’s Taskforce on Donor Milk and Milk Banking.

Continuing her leadership in human milk research, Spatz currently serves as the Treasurer of the International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation. Most recently, in 2024, she was selected to serve on the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Breastfeeding Analysis Study, further cementing her role as a key voice in shaping breastfeeding policy and research.

Dr. Spatz’s dedication to improving health outcomes for mothers and infants worldwide continues to drive advancements in lactation science, ensuring evidence-based care for the most vulnerable populations.

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