Mary K. Anthony was an early pioneer and thought leader studying the intersection of high-profile issues linking patient and nurse outcomes by focusing on the centrality of physical, behavioral, and cognitive structures and processes integral to practice models. Through systems, workforce, and patient-centered approaches, she developed a deep understanding of the research-to-practice synergy influencing nursing science and practice in both academic and clinical settings. The significant impact of her research was pivotal in shaping national policy guidelines for delegation, fostering international collaboration on care models, and producing widely cited publications that highlight the importance of communication and leadership in patient and nurse outcomes. Her work also advanced the science of understanding interruptions. In the clinical setting, Dr. Anthony has a sustained record of influential mentoring using action-oriented mentorship models in developing and executing strategic initiatives strengthening the research-practice link. In this role, she substantially increased the number of clinical nurses engaging in active research by enhancing infrastructure, fostering a supportive research environment, and providing experiential learning opportunities. Dr. Anthony was the recipient of the 2020 AONL Researcher of the Year Award. Dr. Anthony received her BSN from St. John College and her MSN and PhD from Case Western Reserve University.