The tragic accident on Washington, DC’s, Metrorail on Monday, June 22, 2009, claimed the life of our friend and colleague Mandy Doolittle. She began her tenure with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a senior administrative assistant. Then, after two years as the senior governance specialist at the American Nurses Association (ANA), Mandy rejoined ANCC as the senior international credentialing specialist—a position she held for nearly eight years until her death.

Mandy was uniquely qualified for her last position. After college, she traveled to Italy to see the masterpieces of the Renaissance and stayed to teach English. She had a cultural sensitivity that made ANCC’s international contacts feel welcomed and engaged in her passion of improving health care globally.

We will miss her passion for life – she was an artist, a potter, a devoted friend, sister, and aunt, who loved hiking and being outdoors. One of her friends remarked “her way of listening intently to every word you were saying made you feel like the most important person she had ever met.”

Below are a few messages that say a good deal about Mandy and her affect on the lives of her colleagues:

Message from American Nurses Credentialing Center Executive Director Jeanne Floyd, PhD, RN, CAE

Mandy brought joy to all of us each and every day. A colleague summed it up by saying, “I always felt better after talking with Mandy.” She was our good will ambassador at headquarters and around the world. In her short life, she left a legacy of genuine caring and kindness; given freely to everyone she met. The volume of calls and e-mails I have been receiving about Mandy bear witness to the difference that she made in the lives of many people. She was surely an angel among us.

Message from American Nurses Credentialing Center President Debbie Hatmaker, PhD, RN-BC, SANE-A

Today we learned the sad news of Mandy Doolittle's passing in the Metro train accident. It is a great loss for the ANCC and ANA family, as well as a profound loss for her family and friends.

ANCC is reaching out to board members and many in the international community who knew Mandy. Just last month as I visited Abu Dhabi, one of the nurses at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City asked me to give Mandy her regards.

I will miss Mandy's exuberance and passion for our work. On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am sending our thoughts and prayers to her colleagues, friends, and family. She will be missed. No one but Mandy could call me President Hatmaker with such respectful enthusiasm.

Message from American Nurses Association CEO Marla J. Weston, PhD, RN

It is with great sadness that I share the news that Mary “Mandy” Doolittle was killed yesterday in the Metro train collision. Mandy worked with us as a Sr. Program Specialist in ANCC’s International Division. Mandy started with us as a Sr. Administrative Assistant in March of 1998 and also worked as a Sr. Governance Specialist in Leadership Services. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family, loved ones, colleagues and friends of Mandy Doolittle as we mourn her tragic and sudden loss.

Message from American Nurses Association President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR

On behalf of the ANA Board of Directors, I send ANA’s sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones of Mary “Mandy” Doolittle. She was a very valued member of the ANA enterprise staff team. We greatly appreciate her service and dedication to the nursing profession.

The Board and I are truly saddened to hear of her loss and know that Mandy will be greatly missed by all of you. Please join me in extending to Mandy’s family ANA’s full support at this tragic time.