Alumni Awards

Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing: Pam Nelson, DNP’20, PMC’20, MSN’98Upon earning her MSN, Post Master’s and DNP all at VUSN, Dr. Nelson turned her attentionto practices detrimental to safe and effective psychiatric boarding. At a 700-bed urban Middle Tennessee psychiatrichospital, she led the implementation of an innovative intervention for a psychiatric consultation service run by nursepractitioners to address this issue. Her brainchild became a cost-effective practice model and decreased length-of-stayfor psychiatric patients in the emergency department. This resulted in the hiring of additional psychiatric NPs, who Pamtrained, mentored and led. Her solution both addressed a nationwide quality improvement issue and created additionalroles for NPs across the country.Pam’s research on suicide prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic earned widespread recognition, and was published asthe featured, open-access article in the Journal of Nurse Practitioners in 2020. An interview by Psychiatry Advisor in 2021 about her clinical expertise and research in the area of suicide prevention in the context of thepandemic, evolved into becoming the primary reference in the American Medical Association’s 2024 educational pamphlet toscreen and treat at-risk patients, Suicide Prevention How to Guide. This guide offers actionable,evidence-based best practices on suicide prevention for primary care providers.Dr. Nelson is a frequent speaker on mental health topics at universities and conferences. In her private practice,Nelson Psychiatric Associates, she upholds the principles of evidence-based medicine and patient-centered care,particularly emphasizing solution-focused and hope-based therapies.Thomas L. Christenbery Alumni Award for Diversity & Inclusion: Courtney Young Pitts, DNP’11, MSN’09In her current position as family nurse practitioner program director at EmoryUniversity and in her previous role as FNP specialty director here at VUSN, Dr. Pitts has masterfully createdpartnerships with grant-making agencies to work toward diversifying the nursing workforce and expanding access to healthcare for rural and underserved communities through academic practice partnerships. She received a $2.7 million grantfrom the Health Resources and Services Administration to create the Collaborative Academic Practice Program forVanderbilt FNP students, and then led a team that received $2.6 million from HRSA to expand the programs to includenurse-midwifery and adult-gerontology primary care students. These efforts increase the presence of diverse nursepractitioners and midwives serving in communities where the need is greatest.Through organizations such as the National League for Nursing and the National Organization for Nurse PractitionerFaculties, Courtney has led changes in policy that address justice, equity, diversity, inclusivity and belonging. Shehas published and spoken nationally about the need for greater nursing education workforce diversity, and in her rolesas associate editor of The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, she works to improve the recruitment and retentionof a diverse editorial board and reviewer pool.Dr. Pitts’ own clinical work has improved health equity for people living with HIV, the LGBTQI+ community, and rural andunderserved communities. She is the recipient of the Vanderbilt University Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award,the Tennessee 40 Under 40 Rising Star Nurse Leaders, and Jackson State University’s Women’s History Month Honors.Friend of Nursing: Elian Cox, MDiv, MARev. Cox is staff chaplain for VIVID Health at Vanderbilt, a program designed topromote the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of adults of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Aftergraduating from Princeton Theological Seminary, Elian became only the second out transgender person to be ordained inthe Presbyterian Church’s history.Elian’s focus has been on leading communities of faith and teaching on LGBTQI inclusion and care. At VUSN, they havelectured and hosted a seminar, “LGBTQIA+ for Interprofessional Practice,” for the last three years to talk about theirchaplaincy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the role spirituality and religion across this population. Elianhas participated in equity, diversity and inclusivity initiatives at the School of Nursing, including lunch and learnsessions open to all students.Rev. Cox is a board-certified chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains, and they have served as achaplain in pediatrics, adult care, hospice and behavioral health settings. They are well-respected throughout theVanderbilt University and Medical Center campus and have been impactful in teaching students about empathy in thenursing profession.Colleen Conway-Welch Alumni Award for National Leadership: Julia Cain Phillippi, PhD, MSN’99

Dr. Phillippi’s impact on health care is vast. In addition to serving as lead editor of Varney’s Midwifery, thegold standard of midwifery textbooks and the most widely used textbook in midwifery education, she has been published 78times, written six committee opinions in peer-reviewed journals, helped write 27 American College of Obstetricians andGynecologists practice bulletins, delivered 49 podium presentations and 26 poster presentations (national andinternational), edited a landmark midwifery textbook, authored or co-authored 16 book chapters, and has participated inor has been the principal investigator in seven research grants.The ACOG practice bulletins that Julia has authored are used worldwide to develop clinical practice guidelines, standardoperating procedures, and management protocols. Her publications have been cited 3,590 times. She has served on theAccreditation Commission for Midwifery Education Criteria Revision, the Inaugural Dean Search Committee for the newschool of nursing at Morehouse College, and other leadership roles in the American College of OB/Gyns and the AmericanCollege of Nurse-Midwives.While accomplishing all of these things, Dr. Phillippi has been teaching in the MSN, DNP and PhD programs here at VUSNand leading faculty as chair of our Family Care Community. She has been described as “the quintessential midwife:insanely intelligent, and the most humble, kind, empathetic, and patient person one could ever meet.”Catherine Hanley Class of 1912 Rising Star Alumni Award: Lauren Flagg, DNP’20, MSN’13Since graduating from Vanderbilt with her MSN, Lauren has become a passionate expert inpediatric delirium, a serious and under-recognized area of children’s health. Her doctoral-level research in this fieldhas earned her respect as an authority, presenting at national conventions such as the National Association of PediatricNurse Practitioners and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.Lauren is a nurse practitioner in the pediatric intensive care unit at Yale University Hospital as well as an instructorat Yale’s school of nursing. In each role, she has made a discernable impact. Her clinical expertise and compassionsignificantly benefit her patients and their families, and her commitment to improving pediatric health care outcomes isshown through her research. Lauren has played a leadership role in developing Yale’s pediatric acute care NP programcurriculum, based on her real-world experiences in the pediatric ICU. In addition, she is in demand as a guest lecturerfor nursing schools across the country.To quote her nominator, “Lauren is an expert in her field and a treasured nursing educator. She dedicates her time andefforts to educating the future generation of pediatric nurse practitioners.” Her “achievements not only reflect theexcellence of her education from VUSN, but also inspire those around her to strive for excellence in nursing.”Linda Norman Alumni Award for Innovation in Health Care: Hannah Wright Meurer, MSN’15Through a personal experience, Hannah realized a wanting in the American health care systemfor the care of women undergoing miscarriage. In response, she founded Haven Miscarriage Clinic, the first earlypregnancy loss clinic in the U.S., to “humanize the miscarriage experience” in an empathic outpatient setting.Under Hannah’s leadership, the clinic provides a safe, tranquil space for people during the traumatic experience oflosing a pregnancy. According to her nominator, Hannah’s clinic is pioneering and a model to “change the face of howhealth care helps to manage and navigate early pregnancy loss. This innovative idea is helping move towards improvementin the mental health crisis that exists in our country, especially for those who have experienced the trauma of loss andcan be amongst the most vulnerable of the childbearing population.”Hannah’s firsthand experiences, education and insight have led her toward serving others, many on one of the darkestdays of their lives.Alma Gault Alumni Award for Public Service: Tanya Sorrell, PhD, MSN’03Dr. Sorrell is a staunch advocate for those who are less advantaged, particularly people ofcolor. In 2019, while she was associate professor at the University of Colorado College of Nursing, she began a $5million, two-year legislative program to train advanced practice providers and assist patients needing substance usetreatment in rural areas of the state. She is featured in the American Nurses Association on-demand webcast, "How YouCan Have a Direct Impact on Reducing the Devastating Racial Disparities of COVID-19," and the ANA webcast, "BoostingVaccine Confidence in Minority Populations: Specific Strategies to Encourage and Educate Your Patients." She trainedover 5,000 community leaders in vaccine confidence for the InterFaith Youth Core.Tanya is now assistant director of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Drug Abuse Clinical TrialsNetwork—Great Lakes Region as well as director of Substance Use Disorder Community Services for the Illinois RegionalLeadership Centers based at Rush University, where she is an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.She is also on the board of directors of the Cook County Health and Hospitals System. She could not join us today, asshe is providing expert testimony before the state legislature on a substance use disorder bill.At VUSN, we appreciate her time as a speaker, most recently for the two-part Dore to Door Alumni Forum panel, “MentalHealth and Black America Today: Where Are We?” in 2021, and for her leadership in providing training on substance abuseand racial disparities.Lulu Wolf Hassenplug Alumni Award for Distinguished Career in Nursing: Suzanne McMurtry Baird, DNP, MSN’95, BSN’84 While working as a labor and delivery nurse in the 1980s at Vanderbilt University MedicalCenter, Dr. Baird developed a passion for the care of high-risk and critically ill obstetric patients that would shape a40-year career as administrator, educator, advocate and national expert in care of this vulnerable population.As founder, co-owner and nursing director of Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics, Suzanne works with an interprofessionalteam to evaluate obstetric care in hospitals across the country while simulating emergency response to maternalcompromise and developing strategies for implementation and evaluation of measurable quality improvement initiatives.CCOB develops and provides interprofessional prescriptive training to enhance knowledge, skills, communication, outcomesand unit culture in obstetrics. For example, the CCOB podcast, The Critical Care Obstetric Podcast, has over 450,000downloads across 90 countries/territories.Dr. Baird has served as an invited lecturer for over 150 international, national and regional presentations, many ofwhich are national nursing organizations. She has presented in 44 states and developed 26 education modules andwebinars. She has edited three textbooks and published 27 peer-reviewed journal articles and 35 textbook chapters. Inher role as a maternal specialist for the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Improvement, Suzanne developed,implemented and evaluated QI programs for opioid use disorder and immediate postpartum long-acting reversiblecontraception.

Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing: Ali Cocco, MSN'15, MDiv'11, BS'08,

As a certified nurse midwife at the Vanderbilt University Medica Center, Ali gravitates toward the more medically-complex, high-risk OB patients. Her nominator says she, “flawlessly coordinates complex care for these women while making each of them feel special and heard.” Her interest in updating her practice to be the most evidenced-based has led her to be a resource for CNM students and residents.

Ali is a leader. As a member of the VUMC Advanced Practice Leadership Board, the OB/GYN Preconception Care team, and the OB/GYN Research Committee, she advocates for colleagues throughout her employer. Her nominator says she has a reputation for having a robust sense of ownership for her role in her department. As assistant division director, she oversees 30 advanced practice providers to whom she provides guidance and much-needed emotional support. She developed a mentorship program for new hires, organized CME opportunities, coordinates clinical sites, and leads a “boot camp” that includes hands-on activities and simulation.

In addition, Ali is a peer-reviewer and associate editor of the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, and has served on the Diversification and Inclusion Task Force of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. She co-presented “Strength in Diversity” at VUMC Advanced Practice Grand Rounds last year.

Thomas L. Christenbery Alumni Award for Diversity & Inclusion: Shelza Rivas, DNP'17, MSN'15, BA'12

Originally from Lima, Peru, Shelza is fluent in both Spanish and English languages. During her time as a student at VUSN, she realized the importance of finding alliance and community with other Hispanic/Latinx nursing students and faculty. To fill this gap, she started the Hispanic/Latinx Student Nurses Affinity Group as a safe space for the unique academic experience that Hispanic/Latinx students encounter.

As a faculty member in the pre-specialty community health course, Dr. Rivas led the first nursing student group on a collaborative quality improvement project with a clinic in rural Guatemala. The initial project focused on increasing access to health care for remote communities through use of a mobile clinic while still maintaining a brick-and-mortar clinic. Subsequent projects were built upon this mobile clinic initiative and have included the development of health-related workshops for women and children. The initial partnership forged by Shelza has grown and evolved into a stable, sustainable collaboration between the clinic and VUSN.

Shelza has collaborated with the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center to provide several presentations about GYN-related cancers to Spanish-speaking communities within Nashville, and she has collaborated with colleagues to raise community awareness about dementia and caregiver burnout. Shelza has recorded presentations in her native language for distribution to Spanish-speaking communities. Topics included advanced care planning, caregiver self-care and dementia health care team navigation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Rivas was a vaccinator in the VUSN-led mobile clinic. In addition to providing vaccines, she served as a liaison for Spanish-speaking communities who had fears, doubts and questions about the vaccine. She has been an active participant and advocate for the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.

Friend of Nursing Award: Cassie Brady, HO'12, MD

Dr. Brady is a pediatric endocrinologist and an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the Monroe Carrol Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She has testified before the Tennessee State Senate to advocate for gender-affirming care, and is active in numerous professional organizations. Most relevant to this nomination, Dr. Brady has provided guest lectures for over six years at VUSN, primarily through the course, “LGBTQIA+ Health in Interprofessional Practice”, a two-hour elective course open to all graduate students at the university.

Following viewing a pre-taped lecture, students attend a synchronous online interactive seminar led by Dr. Brady to explore the lecture content, which includes pediatric endocrinology, pubertal disorders and differences of sex development. Her identification of the potential impact of spiritual care for this population led to the topic of “spirituality” receiving a dedicated lecture and seminar in this course from a chaplain at VUMC.

VUSN students have observed Dr. Brady to be one of the top speakers in the course, with comments such as, “Dr. Brady is an excellent resource and her dedication to patients and students was evident,” “I love what Dr. Brady said about supporting the family and ensuring to congratulate them on their baby, and how important that is in those initial moments,” and “I am so happy… that Dr. Brady's team at Vanderbilt includes spiritual care and social work to the care team.” Her nominator added that Cassie is especially attuned to and promotes the role of nurses and APRNs in caring for pediatric patients and families, and actively participates in their education.

Friend of Nursing Award: Jenna Smith, LCSW

Jenna’s nominator describes her as a trailblazer in the field of social work, particularly in the context of nursing, asserting that “her tireless efforts to bridge the gap between health care and social services have had a profound impact on patient outcomes and the overall well-being of individuals and families.”

As a social worker, Jenna works collaboratively with nurses and other health care professionals, resulting in comprehensive care plans that holistically meet the needs of patients. She recently partnered with VUSN faculty member Christian Ketel, to create the first of many “resiliency hubs” with Urban Housing Solutions, providing an important human connection to a most socially-isolated community.

Jenna actively seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge and skills, staying abreast of the latest research and best practices in social work and nursing. Her commitment to professional growth and development has not only benefitted her own practice but has also influenced and inspired countless nursing professionals and students she has worked alongside.

At VUSN’s nurse-led West End Clinic, Jenna has led the social service and behavioral health integration program for over eight years, taking numerous nursing and allied health students under her wing. Her nominator says Jenna’s “exceptional contributions to the field of nursing, her advocacy for vulnerable populations, her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, and her unwavering dedication to patient-centered care make her an exceptional candidate for the VUSN Friend of Nursing Award.”

Colleen Conway-Welch Alumni Award for National Leadership: Sharon Holley, DNP’10

Dr. Holley has held high-level administrative nurse-midwifery roles across the United States. In her 25-year career, she has been the Director of the Vanderbilt Faculty Midwifery Practice and was the Chief for the Division of Nurse-Midwifery at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, where she was the first nurse to hold an advanced practice faculty appointment. Currently she developed and leads the University of Alabama at Birmingham Nurse Midwifery program. In this role, she has created one of the top nurse-midwifery programs in the nation.

Sharon’s bounty of publications influence nursing practice and education and are focused on improving patient safety and implementing evidence-based practice. Based on this work, she became the nurse-midwife representative for the Maternal Vital Sign Triggers program hosted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynocologists, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Partnership for Maternal Safety, and the American Nurses Association. Dr. Holley also served on the American College of Nurse-Midwives Healthy Birth Initiative.

All of these national endeavors have had an immense impact on national morbidity and mortality associated with pregnancy, while on a local level, Sharon has had an impact exploring the rich history of midwifery as it connects to social and racial inequities in the South.

Catherine Hanley Class of 1912 Rising Star Alumni Award: Jason Williams, DNP'23, PMC'23, MSN'16

Dr. Williams is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where he has implemented a multifocal approach to mitigate health, social and educational disparities and inequities in African American communities, especially with males of all ages.

Jason’s commitment to community goes beyond his job’s roles and responsibilities. He is an invited speaker and expert for health events throughout Arkansas and Tennessee. These events have included the “Mental Health and Wellness: Coping and Living with COVID -19 and More”, the annual Black Male Summit sponsored by Meharry Medical College and the Urban League of Middle Tennessee, the BRIDGE to Success program at Meharry Medical College, and the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance.

Through many organizations, Dr. Williams volunteers his time to actively participate with programs designed to motivate African American children to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. He understands the importance of establishing relationships with children to have a greater impact through mentoring many young African American men.

While at Vanderbilt, Jason was elected as the president of the Doctoral of Nursing Practice Student Affinity Group. He serves as the Chapter President of the Little Rock Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association, and has served as the Arkansas State Director of Social Action of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

Linda Norman Alumni Award for Innovation in Health Care: Audra Rankin, DNP, MSN’08

Dr. Rankin has practiced nursing in a variety of compacities, including in her current positions as clinical assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Associate Faculty Director at the UNC Center for the Business of Health. She is National Health Policy Chair of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Health Policy Department Editor for the Journal of Pediatric Health Care.

Audra recently co-founded the podcast, “RISE with Emily and Audra,” where she, her co-host and guest speakers from a variety of backgrounds and fields of expertise, discuss an assortment of concepts that can be implemented into various health care roles. Its tagline is “To inspire others to think with us, learn with us, and along the way RISE UP above their day to day.”

Said Dr. Rankin’s nominator: “I highly recommend this podcast to any individual who wants to learn from a variety of different professionals [and] to become inspired to implement these life lessons into their day-to-day work. The relationships… give us listeners ways or tips to help change our section of health care for the better. The connection at the end of the podcast and how [the hosts] personally relate the interview to health care, creates a stir in the listener to ponder the same connections. It has been a game changer for me.”

Alma Gault Alumni Award for Public Service: Diane Welch Vines, PhD, BSN’67

Dr. Vines is the founder and director of the California State University San Bernardino Nursing Street Medicine Program, and organization that provides health care services to homeless, unsheltered and vulnerable people in California’s Coachella Valley, at no charge. Faculty and students from California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus school of nursing assist in the clinic, providing triage, health assessments, medication management, education, and other assistance to personnel as needed. This includes providing hundreds of vaccinations to migrant farm workers and their families.

The Program focuses on helping nursing students improve communication skills and develop empathy. Students learn primary behavioral health assessment tools for depression, anxiety, PTSD, mental status exam and cognitive disorders. Their assessments are, among other things, part of the behavioral health verification plan for their clients’ permanent housing applications.

Providing mental health services to the unhoused population in the Valley is a growing community concern, according to Diane’s nominator. In response, Dr. Vines is the co-founder and co-facilitator of a group of over 30 homeless outreach organizations, who collaborate to organize their efforts and avoid duplication of efforts. She, too, provides behavioral health assessments for the Coachella Valley Association of Governments and the Jewish Family Services of San Diego, which leads to permanent supported housing for her clients. This year, the City of Palm Desert declared August 24 as “Dr. Diane Vines Day” to honor her leadership and service to the community.

Lulu Wolf Hassenplug Alumni Award for Distinguished Career in Nursing: Betsy Babb Kennedy, PhD, MSN'93, BSN'89

Dr. Kennedy’s contributions to the profession of nursing include authorship of more than 30 journal articles and book chapters, service on the editorial board of the Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, and service on the board of directors for the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. She has authored 17 peer-reviewed articles on best practices in nursing education, from cognitive theory to promotion of equitable and inclusive learning environments.

Nationally recognized for her expertise in nursing education, Dr. Kennedy has developed and overseen curriculum strategies, evaluation practices and online teaching methodologies that have been implemented at VUSN and our peer institutions. In 2017, Betsy was selected to be a Gold Humanism and Harvard Macy Scholar at the Institute for Health Professions Educators, a competitive faculty development training program that prepares its scholars to create and implement innovative methods to teach and assess health professional learners.

As Associate Dean for Academics and Curriculum Affairs at VUSN, Dr. Kennedy designs and implements innovative strategies for faculty members who are new to a role in academia, including a 12-month-long program that orients them to the school, and a professional writing workshop series. Established faculty at VUSN have also benefitted from her commitment to professional development through the creation of a forum that provides all faculty members with opportunities to peer review and share scholarship.

Betsy has received numerous student-selected teaching awards from all of the degree programs at VUSN, including the prestigious Ingeborg Mauschk Award which she received three times. Through her teaching, mentoring and leadership, Dr. Kennedy has trained nurses across the U.S. who have, in turn, held national leadership positions and have excelled in patient care.

Erin Miller, MSN’19, recipient of the 2022 VUSN Catherine Hanley Class of 1912 Rising Star Alumni Award was recognized this year with the Early Career Professional Achievement Award from Vanderbilt University Alumni Association.

Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing: S. Abigail Morgan, MSN’05

Abigail was nominated by the medical director of the outpatient department at the Yukon Kuskokwim Healthcare Corporation in Bethel, Alaska, where she is a nurse practitioner and medical staff trainer, for her behind-the-scenes work to improve outcomes for patient and improve processes for providers.

The clinic serves a predominantly Native Alaskan population who either fly by small plane to the clinic or are visited in their villages by Abigail and the staff, also in small planes. In this remote part of the country, resources are at a minimum and logistical challenges abound.

Abigail has been a leading women's health clinician in the area, addressing very high-risk OB patients, providing gynecological care, and advancing preventative care, all the while providing better outcomes and process improvement. She has researched and identified ways to improve health disparities related to STIs in the indigenous population, streamlining the types of testing available and teaching staff.

In her behind-the-scenes work, Abigail improves processes for providers and nurses which results in improved outcomes for patients. She provides EMR training, prepares new providers in women's health clinical skills, and continuously strives to improve workflows. She is always amenable to helping out her coworkers and steps in often to make sure patients have access to the care they need. 

Thomas L. Christenbery Alumni Award for Diversity & Inclusion: Taaka Cash, DNP’13, MSN’12

Dr. Cash opened Privy Oasis, the first Black-owned mental health clinic in Southlake, Texas, in 2013 to provide equitable and accessible mental health and psychiatric care to communities of color in the Dallas area for whom such support has not been readily available. She has consciously developed and led a diverse staff with the mission of aiding an under-served and misdiagnosed community consisting mostly of people of color.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taaka expanded her clinic to include telehealth psychiatric services, further reaching patients of color residing in communities not otherwise receiving such care. This allowed her clients to continue to have accessible, individualized and cost-effective treatment during an especially stressful time.

Taaka has used social media to provide education, training, clinical commentary and informed conversations on the importance of psychiatric care and mental health services, a conversation often lacking among communities of color.

One of her nominators said, “Dr. Cash’s effort, work, support, development and heart in her life mission to open dialogue about mental health… shines from her daily and on every level. Her achievements in building accessible, innovative and actionable mental health services to her community is admirable and necessary. Dr. Cash not only walks in this service, she exemplifies her love for this work daily and there is no other that has proven themselves in the field of mental health innovation.”

Thomas L. Christenbery Alumni Award for Diversity & Inclusion: Rebekah Lee Hayes, DNP’20, MSN’16

As one of only a few Asian American students at VUSN, Dr. Hayes co-founded and was president of the first ever student group devoted to promoting awareness of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultural practices and health disparities within the health care community.

The Asian Pacific Islander & Desi American Student Nurses organization, now a registered affinity group within VUSN and organizational member of the Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association, provides networking opportunities for APIDA-identifying nursing students and serves as a means of social support for students matriculating through VUSN.

As an Instructor of Nursing at VUSN, Dr. Hayes is the faculty advisor to the organization, guiding the group’s substantial growth since its inception. The increased violence towards members of the Asian American community and the anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for APIDA-identifying students to feel safe and supported. Members of VUSN’s APIDA group have provided school-wide webinars and workshops on the magnitude and impact of anti-Asian racism during the pandemic.

In addition to her work with APIDA, Rebekah is the VUSN representative for “A3PI”, a resource hub for all Asian and AAPI-identifying members of the Vanderbilt University community. She served as a panel member for the VUSN Dore to Door event, “Supporting Nursing Students of Color: Success Strategies from Academia to Practice.” 

Colleen Conway-Welch Alumni Award for National Leadership: Karen Hande, DNP’13

Dr. Hande is a nationally recognized for her innovative teaching and learning strategies. Her work has transformed the doctor of nursing practice program here at VUSN as well as DNP programs throughout the country. She created a DNP practice hours database and project timeline template, both of which have improved the way in which students can document – and faculty can evaluate – their readiness to practice as doctorally-prepared nurses. Karen designed and implemented the DNP Appreciative Advising Model that concentrates on DNP student needs and faculty skills and knowledge to guide students through doctoral work. The model has been published in a peer-reviewed journal and was also recognized as one of Nurse Educator’s most popular articles. She has consulted with 18 schools of nursing across the country to renovate their outdated approaches to use of this model.

Dr. Hande has received national accolades for her work, including a nursing education fellowship in the National League for Nursing. She is nationally recognized as a leader in scholarship that focuses on transition to practice, faculty teaching innovations, DNP education, DNP projects, nurse practitioner fellowship curriculum and implementation, as well as translation of evidence into practice in the specialty areas of opioids, cannabidiol, pain management and mindfulness. She has been an invited speaker at a multitude of national educational and professional conferences.

Karen designed and implemented a competency-based, post-graduate NP oncology fellowship at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, the first hospital-based oncology transition to practice program in Tennessee and the third in the entire country. She also designed an opioid mitigation protocol to prevent opioid misuse, abuse and diversion at VUMC, which has become nationally recognized and is being implemented by NPs throughout the U.S. 

Colleen Conway-Welch Alumni Award for National Leadership: Cara Calloway Young, PhD’10, MSN’06

Driven by her passion for clinical translational research, Dr. Young focuses her research on developing sustainable, culturally competent strategies that promote the optimum mental and physical health of marginalized and underserved rural, Hispanic and African-American adolescents and young adults who face high rates of unattended mental health issues that jeopardize their capacity to be well-functioning and contributing adults.

In her clinical work in Texas, Dr. Young identified the extensive needs of young Hispanic females diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Through cutting-edge integration of self-management science and mindfulness-based interventions, Cara innovated and tested a feasible, cost-effective intervention that could be delivered virtually and improved self-efficacy in these vulnerable young women. She implemented a culturally-tailored intervention in a school system of over 11,000 students, mostly Hispanic and economically disadvantaged. Her work is being extended with potential scalability for underserved U.S. schools and districts.

Cara’s contributions to the understanding of the complex psychological processes among stressful life events and the development of depressive and anxiety symptoms in marginalized and underserved youth, has been widely disseminated in peer reviewed journals and quickly gained her notice as an expert and leader in this area. She has received multiple invitations to present her research and awards recognizing the significance of her work. 

Friend of Nursing Award: Gilbert Gonzales, PhD, MHA

Dr. Gonzales is an assistant professor in Vanderbilt University’s Department of Medicine, Health & Society, the Department of Health Policy, and the Program for Public Policy Studies, as well as an associate director in the Vanderbilt LGBTQ+ Policy Lab. He is an international expert on health policy, reform, disparities and LGBTQIA+ health. At VUSN, he has lectured and led student seminars annually on LGBTQIA+ health care quality, cost and policy for at least 6 years in a course that is open to all Vanderbilt graduate students, including those at the School of Nursing.

An advocate and mentor for nursing and medical students, Gilbert unwaveringly supports advanced practice nursing. His seminars are Q&A-driven and focused, and his work to actively advance equity, diversity and inclusion is consistent with VUSN's mission. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed studies in high-impact outlets, and his research has been covered by news outlets such as CNN, Reuters, the New York Post, The Guardian and U.S. News and World Report. 

Alma Gault Alumni Award for Public Service: Jade Ward Vergara, MSN’13

Jade has maintained a clinical practice since 2014, primarily working with underserved older adults living in long term care facilities in the Nashville area. As an instructor at VUSN, she has guided her students to understand the impact of social injustice and racism on underserved communities.

One example of the impact of Jade’s work occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she identified a two-pronged issue among older adult refugees in Middle Tennessee: low COVID vaccination rates and related social isolation when in-person programming closed out of fear of spreading the virus. Jade partnered Catholic Charities with the Vanderbilt Mobile Vaccination Clinic, and guided her nursing students to provide culturally sensitive vaccine education and outreach. The result was that the population’s two-dose COVID-19 vaccination rate improved to over 50%, which once again allowed for in-person social programming.

As part of this project, Jade’s students conducted qualitative assessments of loneliness and measured social isolation. Their data has determined the types of programming needed to decrease isolation and to meet the holistic health needs of these individuals in a culturally competent manner. Future in-person programming can be tailored to specific community needs, reduce social isolation, and promote participants’ health and wellbeing. 

Catherine Hanley Class of 1912 Rising Star Alumni Award: Erin Miller, MSN’19

As one of only 2 certified pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in Florida and of only 538 nationwide, Erin has improved the lives of hundreds of children who have faced sexual assault and has positively influenced care systems for these children and their families. In her position at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida, she helps children begin to heal and see their bodies as normal through careful, trauma-informed care while also collecting necessary forensic evidence.

Her expertise as a pediatric SANE, child advocate and health care leader are recognized in over 1,000 completed sexual assault exams and court testimony in over 100 cases. Erin’s interdisciplinary efforts have had immediate impact on care delivery. Using her practice as a model, providers in her agency modified their exams by altering their terminology when speaking to children to mitigate triggers and inflict secondary trauma.

Erin is a VUSN preceptor and member of the School’s SANE program advisory board, and was a panelist for two of our Dore to Door alumni panels. Her work was featured in a video viewed by hundreds of participants including members of Congress and their aides, HRSA officials, and other SANE trainee program teams. As her nominator said, Erin’s work not only demonstrates the current excellence reflective of a Vanderbilt degree, but also provides continued care and promise for unnumbered patients, families and interdisciplinary teams.

Erin’s work is best explained in her own words: “I reassure children about their bodies…I remind them they are brave, strong, smart, kind and they can do anything. I encourage them to say those words with me, in the hopes that if nothing else sticks, the truth of those words will resound inside them forever.” 

Lulu Wolf Hassenplug Alumni Award for Distinguished Career in Nursing: Amy Conklin Pettigrew, PhD, BSN’72

Dr. Pettigrew has used her 50 years since graduating from Vanderbilt to contribute to the profession of nursing through multiple publications and presentations, and through her leadership in the education of future nurses.

Amy’s career took her through a variety of clinical and leadership roles, from the surgical ICU at Vanderbilt University Hospital to assistant head nurse at the University of Virginia Hospital, to teaching medical-surgical nursing at the Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati. From there, she became a clinical nurse specialist at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, then critical care clinical specialist at Providence Hospital in Cincinnati, and then assistant professor at Xavier University. Dr. Pettigrew earned her PhD at Indiana University, and was named chair of nursing at Xavier. In that role, she led the development of new associate and masters in nursing programs and a conversion to a traditional BSN program. In her tenure, enrollment grew from 29 to over 200 students.

Amy returned to the University of Cincinnati as executive director of graduate programs, associate director of the Institute for Nursing Research, and director of the Center for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning in Nursing. She served as interim director of school’s Undergraduate Curriculum Design, Implementation & Evaluation Team.

In 2010, Miami Dade College of Nursing named Dr. Pettigrew dean. She served in that role for 6.5 years, leading a diverse program where 92% of the faculty are people of color and students hail from over 60 countries. Since retirement, Amy now sits on the National League for Nursing’s Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, and takes medical mission trips to Zambia and Brazil.

Honorary Alumna: Bonnie Pilon, PhD

While leading VUSN's practice division at Vanderbilt, Dr. Pilon started many successful clinical practices that are serving patients throughout Tennessee today, and whose staff impact an immense number of vulnerable individuals.

Recognized as a beloved and dedicated colleague, teacher, mentor and friend to thousands of students, alumni, faculty and staff during her time at VUSN, Bonnie has sacrificed countless hours and resources to elevate our faculty, staff and, most importantly, students.

Dr. Pilon came out of and delayed her well-deserved retirement to fight Nashville’s COVID-19 pandemic. She has worked with both VUSN and Vanderbilt University Medical Center to trace and vaccinate the Vanderbilt student body and the Nashville community. She is a living legend in the realm of nurse-led, public health endeavors both within the local community and also on the international stage.

Her nominator said it best: “Bonnie deserves to be awarded the distinction of VUSN Alumna in light of her contribution and sacrifice to Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She loves and is loved by our Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and Vanderbilt University. I have difficulty identifying one of our VUSN family that has had a larger impact on the Nursing School and the larger Vanderbilt community.”

Linda Norman Alumni Award for Innovation in Health Care: Laura Logsdon Buchanan, MBA, BSN’84

Laura co-founded the Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design in 2008 to create and build a network of nurses interested in evidence-based design for health care organizations. Her co-founder explained that they felt isolated in their interest to improve physical health care spaces, but knew there were nurses who shared their passion. Motivated to build a community of like-minded nurses who also felt alone and were looking for support, Laura developed the organization’s website as a platform for nurses to be educated about health care design as well as a database of resources.

The institute became a non-profit in 2010, and over the years has grown into an entity of over 150 members from around the world, ranging from young to retired clinicians, and includes architects and designers from other disciplines.

Says Laura’s nominator, “This national organization has provided the clinical voice to be at the table for the design of health care environments. It has created a resource for nurse leaders in health care design and built a reputation in the industry as a champion of nurses having a seat at the table for design discussions. Laura is a pioneer and an innovator who expands the boundaries of nursing. She sees a problem and is not afraid to tackle it.”

Alma Gault Alumni Award for Public Service: Carrie Plummer, PhD, MSN’05

At Vanderbilt, Carrie is known for encouraging and providing opportunities for her students to volunteer for constructive community work, using their skills to help those in need. Nowhere has this been more apparent than during the recent pandemic. Carrie worked with the Tennessee Department of Health to organize and run Nashville’s first COVID-19 mass vaccination event in March 2021. Her work to recruit and organize a very large group of volunteers from Vanderbilt resulted in over 10,000 people being vaccinated in one day.

Carrie has since coordinated over 100 mobile vaccine events (so far), devoting countless evening and weekend hours to this endeavor. The Vanderbilt Mobile Vaccine Program, led by Carrie and instructor Christian Ketel and staffed by School of Nursing and Medical Center volunteers, has grown to be a major player in vaccine distribution in Tennessee. Working through schools, clinics, substance abuse recovery programs, low-income housing organizations and other nonprofits, Carrie and her volunteers have immunized almost 4,000 Middle Tennesseans and provided the vaccine to underrepresented populations for whom access has been a challenge.

Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing: Krista Koleas, MSN’03 (posthumous)

As a certified dermatological nurse practitioner, Krista helped to manage the expansion of physicians, nurses and auxiliary staff at Nashville Skin, where she took on her own patient caseload and the role of clinic manager. Simultaneously, she volunteered at Siloam Family Health for 20 years, first as a nurse and then as liaison between it and Nashville Skin, to provide more extensive care to underserved populations in Middle Tennessee.

Nashville Skin founder Brent Pennington said, “Krista had many achievements in her clinical work, showing up always with enthusiasm and positive energy that is hard to describe. It was contagious and she inspired everyone to be the best version of themselves. It's impossible to measure how many lives she impacted for the good.” Morgan Wills, medical director of Siloam Family Health, added, “While Krista never drew a paycheck, she poured her heart and soul into this place that cares for ‘new neighbors’ from many nations.”

During the nomination period for the 2021 VUSN awards, Krista passed away. Nominator Carol Etherington said of her, “It was stunning to realize this very brave and beautiful young woman would face her own death at the age of 45. People close to her have commented that through the months of her illness, ‘she has taught me how to live my life differently and better, and she has taught me how to die.’ What else can be said about clinical achievement, life achievement and the joy of achieving all that as a nurse?”

Catherine Hanley Class of 1912 Rising Star Alumni Award: Rishi Mistry, MSN’15

Rishi’s career since graduation has been one of many firsts. He is the first and only nonphysician medical director at Yakima Pediatrics, paving the way for other nonphysicians to take leadership roles within the parent organization, Community Health of Central Washington. When he was appointed as clinical site director, he was the youngest practitioner at his clinic. And he is the first and only nurse practitioner to serve as a trustee on the board of the Washington State Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a physician-led organization, creating a friendly space for other nonphysician providers to join.

Within his clinic, Rishi developed a comprehensive asthma program to help reduce emergency and inpatient admissions, and he created procedures for screening for adverse childhood experiences, maternal depression, developmental delays and harmful social determinants of health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he developed the organization’s telemedicine program and curbside visit protocols. Community Health of Central Washington has adopted many of Rishi’s innovations throughout the organization.

Rishi was named best pediatrician in his community in 2019 and runner up in 2021.

The Colleen Conway-Welch Alumni Award for National Leadership: Terrah Foster Akard, PhD’08, MSN’01

Terrah’s research provides evidence-based strategies that enhance the lives and decrease the suffering of infants, children and teenagers facing advanced cancer, and their families. Her work has been cited over 1,000 times, establishing that legacy interventions are possible and can improve the quality of parent-child communication and care.

Children with advanced cancer from lower-income families are at greater risk for poorer quality of life, according to Terrah’s research, and parent-child communication problems worsen over time following a child’s initial cancer diagnosis. Her team is examining the efficacy of digital storytelling intervention for children with life-threatening conditions living in rural areas. Terrah’s research provides invaluable insight into the need for such interventions for rural families who have limited resources for home-based, end-of-life and palliative care.

Terrah has partnered music therapists with families to write song lyrics about their child, which are then recorded on DVD. She is the first investigator to use Facebook to reach out to children with advanced cancer and their parents, resulting in a 400% increase in enrollment in randomized clinical trials. Her expertise caught the attention of multiple researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing their own studies to continue using her remote recruitment strategies.

The lives of children with advanced cancer and those of their families are forever changed by Terrah’s leadership in pediatric palliative care research.

Friend of Nursing Award: Lauren Beach, JD, PhD

Lauren is a research assistant professor in the Departments of Medical Social Sciences and Preventive Medicine, and the interim director of the Evaluation Data Integration and Technical Assistance Program (EDIT) at the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, all at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Her many publications, presentations and research projects reflect her expertise in LGBTQIA+ health, legal and ethical considerations, epidemiology, and the delivery of culturally competent care.

For the past six years, Lauren has provided lectures for VUSN students on issues relating to LGBTQIA+ health research and advocacy. Faculty at Vanderbilt remark that her presentations are well-received, and that she understands and speaks to the role that nursing and advanced practice nursing play in public health. Her lecture topics include “Legal and Ethical Considerations in the Provision of LGBT Health,” “LGBTI Health and Interprofessional Practice,” and “Intro to LGBTQI Identities,” some of which are available to graduate students across Vanderbilt University.

The School of Nursing has greatly benefitted from, and is grateful for, Lauren’s expertise and advocacy.

Honorary Alumna: Paddy Peerman, MS, RN

Paddy has been a stalwart member of the VUSN family for decades, starting in 1982 when she was hired as an instructor in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She was appointed by Dean Colleen Conway-Welch to usher students and alumni through the politically and emotionally sensitive time when the school discontinued its BSN program. Paddy held various administrative roles over the years, most of which utilized her talent around delicate and challenging issues. As head of admissions, she saw master’s student enrollment grow from 38 students to almost 500 each year. She became known for running a tight ship, ensuring her staff used their time wisely to attract the best and brightest nursing students to Vanderbilt.

In addition to her leadership regarding the admissions office, Paddy served as faculty adviser to the VUSN Honor Council from 1985 until mid-2021. She retired this past summer after 39 years of loyal service to the School of Nursing.

Paddy has received many accolades, including the VUSN Leading Forward Award for showing “personal initiative and politically astute collaboration that proves consistently effective in such a way to establish a new standard, or pathway to higher achievement for the institution.”

The Linda Norman Alumni Award for Innovation in Health Care: Alane O’Connor, DNP’10

Alane’s interest is in the care of pregnant women with substance use disorders. As the first director of perinatal addiction treatment at Maine Medical Center in Portland, she leads the medical center’s growing access to substance use treatment through a variety of clinical programs. Alane has developed an inpatient consulting service, linking patients with appropriate treatment through advanced practice nurses and resident physicians who are not addictions specialists but whom she has trained.

Alane has published numerous national and international peer-reviewed articles on infant outcomes following exposure to buprenorphine during pregnancy. She is the medical adviser to the Maine Maternal Opioid Misuse (MaineMOM) Initiative, and was appointed by the governor to co-chair the Maine Opioid Response Clinical Advisory Committee. In addition, she maintains a part-time practice in addiction care at the Kennebec Behavioral Health’s Opioid Health Home in rural Skowhegan, Maine.

Alane is a leader in clinical practice, program development, the education of new clinicians, and addressing statewide policy issues that make all the difference for those with substance use disorders.

Lulu Wolf Hassenplug Alumni Award for Distinguished Career in Nursing: Susan Germann Yackzan, PhD, BSN’86

Associate vice president and nurse scientist for the Baptist Health System in Kentucky, Susan collaborates with others to research and publish a vast number of articles related to oncology nursing.. She is the primary author of 26 published articles, two book chapters, and many local, regional and national presentations. For nurses and other practitioners, she designed and published “pocket guides” on injectable chemotherapeutic agents.

Since 2019, Susan has been the associate editor of the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, and is a reviewer of abstracts for the Mid-Career Scientist Award. She has served as clinical and volunteer faculty at both the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. In her previous position as director for Baptist Health Lexington Hospital, she received funding for four major projects, managed fourteen unfunded research projects, and mentored other nurse colleagues, for which she received the Celebration of Care Award from the Baptist Health Lexington Foundation.

Susan earned her PhD from the University of Kentucky and holds certifications in oncology and advanced oncology. This year, she was elected as chairperson of the National Oncology Nursing Society Congress.

The Thomas L. Christenbery Alumni Award for Diversity and Inclusion: Tom Christenbery, PhD’04, MSN’87 (posthumous)

Tom was widely and deeply known for his enthusiastic and deliberate support of all students, alumni, faculty and staff at VUSN, celebrating individuals and groups regardless of – and because of – their race, gender and other demographics. He was especially interested in ensuring that underrepresented segments of the population were recognized and encouraged.

Tom's work led directly to VUSN being recognized as a “Best School for Men in Nursing” from the American Association of Men in Nursing, and he founded the Middle Tennessee/Vanderbilt chapter of AAMN. He helped establish VUSNPride and served as faculty adviser, and was an outspoken member of VUSN’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force.

Tom was very well-known among generations for students and alumni. VUSN Assistant Dean Mary Ann Jessee said, “I truly believe that there are those individuals that so deeply influence and emulate the culture of an organization, that when they exit, the organization is forever changed. Tom is one of those few, valuable individuals.”

Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing: Heather Quaile, MSN’01

When asked by Marty Kemp, wife of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, to create, implement, and lead the medical program for a human trafficking center for teenagers, Heather rose to the task.  Wellspring Living is the first of its kind in the state of Georgia, and Heather implemented its medical intake system.  She now leads its multi-disciplinary team to support comprehensive, holistic care and placement for each participant.  When necessary, she provides Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner assessments for patients and appears in court as an expert witness to testify on behalf of program members.

In addition to that work, Heather is founder, owner and clinical director of the Sexual Health Optimization and Wellness (aka SHOW) Center outside of Atlanta.  She conceived of the facility to provide “a safe, non-judgmental place for patients with sexuality concerns and looking to achieve optimal wellness.”  This includes offering services for sexual health, menopause, sex after birth and sexual trauma.

Heather is on the board of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health and adjunct faculty at Georgia State and Vanderbilt.  We are grateful that she precepts many of our students!  Throughout all of her work, Heather has published and gives lectures, and is involved in legislation and lobbying at the Georgia Capitol on issues affecting advanced nursing practice, rural health care, human trafficking and women’s health.  She received her DNP at Chatham University in Pittsburgh.

Alma Gault Alumni Award for Public Service: Michelle Ruslavage, MSN’10, DNP’13

Early in her career, as a certified diabetes educator at Claremore Indian Hospital in Oklahoma, Michelle provided comprehensive diabetes education and care to over 4,000 Native American patients.  Hers was one of the first sites in the Oklahoma Area to participate in the Diabetes Audit, a national aggregate of clinical outcomes, which led to the improvement of patient tracking and standards of diabetes care.

Working at United South & Eastern Tribes, Inc, an inter-tribal organization, Michelle managed a $2.5 million grant leading to the implementation of a national certified electronic health record in nine Indian Health Service areas.  Her work improved workflow efficiency, increased productivity, provided a comprehensive immunization record, and decreased over and under immunization in patients.  She developed the curriculum for Indian Health Service public health nursing informatics training, funded by the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009, and then implemented this program at ten sites.

Michelle has been deployed by the Indian Health Service to assist Tribes affected by California wildfires and provided emergency health services to over 100,000 athletes and spectators at the North American Indigenous games in Denver.

She has recently taken on a new role with the Centers for Disease Control and was stationed at Boston Logan International Airport in the early days of COVID-19, to lead the team that conducted screening of all arriving international passengers.  She is on faculty at VUSN, preparing the next generation of informatics nurses in a time when they are becoming increasingly needed.

Alumni Award for Diversity and Inclusion: G. Rumay Alexander, MSN’77

Rumay is a person of many firsts.  She has spent the greater part of her career helping others to be conscious of how each person’s circumstances and experiences affect who they have grown to become.  At the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill – the oldest public university in the country – where she started as the director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at the School of Nursing and recently served as associate vice chancellor and chief diversity officer for the entire university, Rumay has coached faculty, staff and students to be open to views other than their own.

Her enthusiasm is “for equity of opportunity and… for holding courageous dialogues to steward and promote human flourishing.”  On this topic, Rumay has written multiple articles and book chapters, and served on numerous commissions and initiatives.  She is a speaker, a teacher and a mentor.  Her work is utilized by many varied organizations striving to foster equity and inclusion of people from multiple backgrounds.

Rumay served as president of the oldest nursing organization in the U.S., the National League for Nursing.  She received the American Organization of Nurse Executive’s Prism Award for workforce diversity leadership and the Southern Regional Education Board’s M. Elizabeth Carnegie Award.  In 2019, Rumay served as a consultant to VUSN where she spoke to faculty, staff and students about inclusive excellence.

Currently Rumay holds several positions at UNC-Chapel Hill: professor in the School of Nursing, special assistant to the dean of the Adams School of Dentistry, and former associate vice-chancellor for diversity & inclusion and chief diversity officer.  She holds a doctor of education in administration and supervision from Tennessee State University in Nashville.

Catherine Hanley Class of 1912 Rising Star Alumni Award: Jessica Walker, MSN’15, DNP’17

Jessica graduated with her MSN as VUSN’s Founder's Medalist.  She began working at the Homeless Psychiatry Consultation Liaison Service in the Vanderbilt Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences while a student in our DNP program.  In January 2020, she was named team lead for advanced practice providers at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, where she was the very first psychiatric nurse practitioner to be promoted from the nurse practitioner track to that of clinical assistant professor.

Jessica is a leader within multiple organizations, such as chair of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Practice Council, secretary for Sigma Theta Tau's Iota Chapter, president of Vanderbilt's chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and co-chair for VUMC's Advanced Practice Professional Development Committee.

Jessica’s nominator commented, “To say that Jessica is a rising star and has outstanding promise in health care is a marked understatement.  She is not only the best colleague with whom I’ve ever worked and supervised, but she is the most clinically attuned, socially conscious, patient-centered advocate that Vanderbilt, as a whole, has likely had and will have for many years.  She has been at the center of many ethically complex cases over the last several years.  Where others may have stepped away, she will step in.  I have watched as she has quietly gained the respect of students, nurses, residents, physicians and the community.  Given this award honors someone with outstanding promise in health care, I can think of no better person to represent the School of Nursing in this area.”

Friend of Nursing Award: Rachel Lane Walden

Rachel is a reference and instruction librarian at Vanderbilt’s Eskind Biomedical Library and serves as the library liaison to VUSN.  In that role, she collaborates with faculty and students of all nursing specialties and degree-levels, to explore phenomena of interest and develop high quality, sound search strategies.  She has a broad reputation for being especially responsive, informed and dedicated.

Students in our DNP program consistently report that Rachel is an invaluable resource.  They rely on her expert librarian skills to guide their literature searches.  She goes above and beyond her professional responsibilities by offering students support to be successful.  They note that she has a keen understanding of nursing students’ scholarly work, and facilitates their learning in a way that complements course’s didactic components.

Rachel Lane Walden is truly a Friend of Nursing.

Alumni Award for National Leadership: Katy Lanz, DNP’10

Katy is a member of Vanderbilt’s inaugural DNP cohort.  In 2014, she partnered with Senator Bill Frist, MD, to found Aspire Health, where she served as chief clinical officer.  Under her leadership, Aspire trained over 800 advance practice providers, doctors, nurses and social workers across the country, growing to be the largest palliative care practice in the U.S.  Katy coached countless nursing leaders, each building their own army of community palliative providers.  In a short time, the Aspire model was adopted by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid and transformed reimbursement and policy norms.

As founder and CEO of TopSight, LLC, Katy educates health care partners to build models of community-based support for aging populations.  Confronting the COVID-19 pandemic, she has designed training for providers on having difficult conversations concerning life or death decisions about patient care.

Among her many leadership positions, Katy is currently director of the board of the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization and has been in significant roles within the Hospice & Palliative Nurses Association, the Center to Advance Palliative Care and the National Coalition for Quality Care.  She is a contributor and author of the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing.

Her nominator stated that Katy’s “disruptive innovation, compassion and gritty entrepreneurial leadership have touched hundreds of thousands of both providers and patients across America and led to major value-based policy changes that continue to support Medicare beneficiaries and families suffering from serious illness today.”

Alumni Award for Innovation in Health Care: Melissa Geist, MSN’96, EdD’04

Melissa is a full professor in the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing at Tennessee Tech and a practicing family and pediatric nurse practitioner in Cookeville, Tennessee.  As a founding member of the Renaissance Foundry Research Group – a team of interdisciplinary scholars dedicated to advancing innovation-driven learning – Melissa designs courses and opportunities for students to create tools that solve health care problems.  Many of these projects combine the nursing curricula with those of engineering, computer science, professional studies and education so that students from multiple disciplines collaborate to create prototypes of innovative technology that address a health care-specific challenge.

Melissa has published on innovations in nursing education, interdisciplinary education opportunities and the connections between research and application.  She has received many accolades for promoting collaborative innovation in health care, such as the Mandala Award for Global Humanitarian Service, the Anne Floyd Koci Award for Excellence in Research, the Tennessee Tech Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching, and the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing Outstanding Professor Award (which she has received multiple times).

In addition to her MSN and doctorate of education from Vanderbilt, Melissa holds post-secondary degrees in biomedical engineering and chemical engineering.  Her nominators say, “We are very privileged to have Dr. Geist as such an amazing colleague and collaborator and we are extremely proud of her for this and all of her wonderful achievements and contributions to the intersection of the fields of nursing, engineering and education.”

The Lulu Wolf Hassenplug Alumni Award for Distinguished Career in Nursing:  Kuei-Ru Chou, PhD’97

Kuei-Ru bears the distinction of being Vanderbilt University’s very first recipient of the PhD in Nursing Science.  She currently serves as dean and distinguished professor at the Taipei Medical University College of Nursing.  Her interest in mental health, geriatrics and nursing education have propelled her to prominence throughout Asia and internationally as both a scholar and a leader of nursing pedagogy.

As a passionate leader in the development of advanced practice nursing and doctoral education in Taiwan, Kuei-Ru’s teaching and mentoring abilities have been recognized with multiple awards including the Outstanding Professional Nurse Award from the Taiwan Union of Nurses Association.

She has participated in multiple committees and consultations managed by various ministries of the Taiwanese government.  She was executive director of the Taiwan Nurses Association and has served among the leadership of the Lambda Beta at Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau in Taiwan.  She was recently honored to be elected as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

Having published over 100 scholarly articles, Kuei-Ru has served on the editorial boards of both the Scientific World Journal and the Journal of Nursing Research where she received the Top Author Award in 2011.  Her body of research is so prolific that, in 2018, she was inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame by Sigma Theta Tau.

Honorary Alumna or Alumnus: Robin Steaban

Robin has been a stalwart supporter of VUSN for many years.  As chief nursing officer of the Vanderbilt Adult Hospital, she is well-known for her leadership over multiple committees and groups that place nurses and nurse practitioners in roles that improve patient care and drive operational change across a multitude of clinical areas.

After receiving her MSN from Wayne State University in Detroit, Robin was a staff nurse and clinical nurse specialist at hospitals in Michigan, New York and Rhode Island.  She came to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 1990 to serve as the nurse coordinator for the 7-North Cardiology Unit where she stood out as a leader among her peers.

In time, she became associate chief nursing officer and chief administrative officer at the Vanderbilt Heart & Vascular Institute.  In 2014, Robin was promoted to the newly-created position of chief nursing officer for Vanderbilt University Hospital and Clinics.  In an interview, VUMC Executive CNO Marilyn Dubree marveled that “Robin has been a transformational leader for nursing and patient care at Vanderbilt since her arrival.”

She has published and interviewed for multiple topics such as patient safety, nurse leadership and breaking down barriers to care.

The Alma Gault Alumni Award for Public Service: Ginny Moore, MSN’90

Ginny is director of VUSN’s women’s health specialty.  Her first practice role with VUSN was at DeeDee Wallace, where she established a health clinic for adolescents in residential state custody, and served as the sole NP.  For her DNP project, she focused on increasing the communication skills of vulnerable women, starting with survivors of domestic violence, prostitution, addiction and homelessness at Magdalene here in Nashville, where she helped develop their confidence and trust when interacting with health care providers.  She replicated her project at The Next Door, a transitional residence for women recovering from addiction and mood disorders.

Her interest in serving the underserved women of Nashville has brought her to other organizations such as The Clinic at Mercury Court and All About Women.  Ginny volunteered at the Sexual Assault Center’s crisis line and encouraged VUSN students to do the same.  But, the organization’s training program was a barrier for distance students, so Ginny developed a curriculum that allowed our non-local students to take part.

Ginny is a key faculty member on a HRSA grant for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner training, to nationally increase the number of SANE-certified professionals administering care for survivors of sexual assault, collecting evidence and providing legal testimony, especially in rural and underserved areas.

The Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing: Marlee Crankshaw, DNP’10, MSN’01

Marlee is the administrative director for neonatal services at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where she oversees a team of nearly 400 staff.  She is known for encouraging innovative patient-centered ideas from her colleagues by hosting town hall meetings, annual staff retreats and a monthly collaborative meeting that includes physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacy, dietary, social work, case managers, quality and safety, physical therapists, child life specialists and nursing.

Marlee’s desire to improve patient outcomes has resulted in numerous innovations at Vanderbilt.  These include creating single-patient rooms so families can stay with their babies, training newborn nursery and NICU nurses to be certified lactation counselors, and developing a donor breast milk program for NICU and pediatric cardiac ICU patients.

Marlee advocated for a NICU nurse to complete the End of Life Care Train the Trainer program; that nurse is now offered throughout VUMC on a regular basis.

Marlee is a board member of the Ronald McDonald House and the Family Involvement Team of the state Quality Care Committee.  She is an active member of the TN Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, Middle TN Organization of Nurse Executives, Friends of Children’s Hospital, March of Dimes, Academy of Neonatal Nursing, and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses.

The Alumni Award for Innovation in Health Care: Aimee Chism Holland, MSN’02

As a women’s health NP with the National Health Service Corps, serving underserved and rural populations with limited access to health care, Aimee saw first-hand numerous unmet health care needs of women, including reduced access to providers with specialty training.

Utilizing her clinical practice expertise performing office gynecology procedures and her desire to increase and expedite women’s access to specialty care, she created one of the very first gynecology skills workshops for primary care NPs utilizing clinical practice simulations.  This workshop provides an opportunity for NPs to practice, refine and validate office gynecology skills in an environment conducive to learning.

These workshops have been attended by well over 2,500 NPs, PAs, midwives and physicians at numerous national and regional conferences.  Aimee recently received a grant to provide a telehealth gynecology skills workshop for rural primary care providers.

The Alumni Award for National Leadership: Katherine Abraham Evans, DNP’12

Katherine is the chief nursing officer at United Healthcare, where she goes the extra mile to facilitate collaboration between United Health Group and the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, building and strengthening preparation of the advanced practice nursing workforce to care for an aging population.

As president of GAPNA, Katherine led the organization to create a national certification exam for the gerontological advanced practice nurse specialist, identifying APRNs who have the experience, knowledge and skills to manage frail older adults with complex health issues.  She was an important contributor throughout the process of writing the exam, administering pilot testing and delivering its first testing.

Katherine continues to be heavily involved in the work of GAPNA, giving presentations at its annual national meeting and serving on its Leadership Institute steering committee.  She is a mentor and helps colleagues strengthen their leadership skills within the gerontological advanced practice nursing community.

She received the University of Memphis School of Nursing "50 Leaders in 50 Years" award, was selected as a fellow of the American Association of Nursing Practitioners, and has been identified as a content expert by the Iowa John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.

The Catherine Hanley Class of 1912 Rising Star Alumni Award: Christina Cardy, DNP’17, MSN’16

According to one of her colleagues at the University of South Florida where Christina is director of advanced practice providers, her professionalism quickly garnered her the respect of her physician partners as a fully engaged colleague and peer.  Christina was able to break down boundaries, demonstrating to her physician partners the value an expansion of the traditional nurse practitioner’s scope of practice brought to their practice.

Christina successfully facilitated the merger of USF Cardiology with a large, private cardiology practice by creating standardized note templates and treatment protocols for common cardiology consults, restructured the practice’s answering service to increase patient access, and optimized provider efficiency and charge collections by transitioning the entire department from paper to electronic billing.

Her DNP project from VUSN helped to significantly reduce the 30-day readmission rate for atrial fibrillation and Christina became the first published nurse practitioner in the USF Department of Cardiology with her related publication in Heart & Lung.

An independent study led Christina to propose a formal leadership structure for APPs to the highest level of USF Health’s administration.  She now regularly participates in clinical integration and operations initiatives in collaboration with the highest level of USF Health administration.

The Friend of Nursing Award: Chad Gentry

Chad is an associate professor at the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy.  He is known as an advocate of collaborative care in both the clinical and academic setting, and has been influential in shaping the interprofessional practice environment in Davidson County and throughout Tennessee.

Chad partnered with the School of Nursing during the creation of the Clinic at Mercury Courts.  He has worked closely with VUSN to integrate pharmacy into clinical care while respecting the desire to maintain the clinic’s nurse-led philosophy.  Along the way, he has become an outspoken advocate for nursing and its unique perspective on health care.

Chad is on the faculty of the Vanderbilt Program for Interprofessional Learning and the Meharry-Vanderbilt Interprofessional Student Collaborative.  He is in high demand as a contributor because of his passion and commitment for collaborative practice, and his belief that the key to health care reform is through educating the next generation of providers in the skills needed to breakdown practice silos and work together as equal members of the health care team.

One of Chad’s nominators said this about him: “His work is not only shaping clinical pharmacy today but is also the model for the interprofessional provider of the future. Most importantly, his respect, commitment and loyalty to our profession make him a true friend of nursing.”

Honorary Alumna: Mavis Schorn

Mavis is the senior associate dean for academics at VUSN as well as a professor and a nurse-midwife in the School’s faculty practice.  Since she arrived at our doorstep in 2002, she has been a tireless advocate for Vanderbilt nursing students and the role of nursing within the health care arena.

As a clinician, faculty member and researcher rolled into one, Mavis has been an asset to VUSN, first as associate professor and then, in 2006, as director of our nurse-midwifery specialty.  Her visionary leadership and management skills elevated our nurse-midwifery program to Number 3 in the nation as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Mavis was promoted to senior associate dean in 2013 and continues to practice as a nurse-midwife in Nashville.  She is an advocate for interprofessional education.  She is also the principal investigator on a $1.43 million HRSA grant to develop and implement a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program for emergency NP students, thereby increasing the number of SANE-trained and certified APRNs in emergency departments in rural or underserved communities in the U.S.

Mavis is widely published, is a fellow in the America College of Nurse-Midwives, and has received many awards, such as the VUMC Credo Award.  Her academic degrees are from UT Austin, Texas Women’s University and University of Kentucky.

The Lulu Wolf Hassenplug Alumni Award for Distinguished Career in Nursing: Cathy Madigan, BSN’77

Cathy is the chief nurse executive for the University of North Carolina Health Care System and associate dean for practice at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing.  She joined UNC Hospitals in 2003 as director of cardiac services and, in 2013, was promoted to vice president of nursing and associate CNO.  She took on the responsibility of supervising all of the system’s nursing enterprises as well as quality and patient satisfaction initiatives for UNC Hospitals.  That was no small feat.

Prior to coming to UNC, Cathy served as director of the children’s cardiac program at the Denver Children’s Hospital and then at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  She has authored and co-authored numerous articles in nursing and medical peer-reviewed journals and served as principal and co-investigator for clinical research.  In 2007, Cathy was recognized as one of the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina.

Her nominator said that Cathy “has always brought enthusiasm, intelligence and dedication to everything she does in her personal and professional life.  She embodies what VUSN teaches and the expectations VUSN instills in students/alumni while being an engaging and effective leader, parent and nurse.”

The Lulu Wolf Hassenplug Alumni Award for Distinguished Career in Nursing: Randolph Rasch, MSN’79

Randy is dean of the Michigan State University College of Nursing, a position that he has held since 2015. He has built a reputation on student success and faculty empowerment. Dr. Rasch started his extensive academic career at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and then came to VUSN as the director of our family NP program, before moving to be department chair for the school of nursing at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. While at UNC-G, he was recognized for his unique leadership abilities and was invited by the provost to serve as the interim chairperson and visiting professor in the Department of Nursing at North Carolina Central University in Durham.

Randy's research and practice center around community and mental health nursing and caring for the elderly. He was the first statewide director of nursing services for the Tennessee Department of Correction, and the first African-American male to serve as a public health nurse in Michigan's Berrien County Health Department.

Additionally, as dean, Dr. Rasch has an informative blog, Behind the Bow Tie, where he shares his thoughts on a variety of topics, from nursing careers to positive thinking to items in the news.

The Alumni Award for National Leadership: Jessica Van Meter, MSN’07, DNP’15

Jessica collaborated with nursing and physician staff at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in Guyana while completing her DNP and graduate certificate in Global Health at Vanderbilt. A LifeFlight nurse at Vanderbilt, Jessica was drawn to the project after witnessing first-hand the heartbreaking aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans.

The demand for continuous nursing education lead to the development and delivery of a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Nursing program for nurses at Georgetown. The curriculum was drafted by VUMC nursing and physician staff with the nurse resident’s degrees conferred by the University of Guyana. It’s the first of its kind in the Caribbean and, perhaps, the world, and Jessica serves as its program director.

A class of 15 Guyanese nurses are scheduled to graduate in November 2018; nurses in the program, who range in age from 22 to 50, work in an environment faced with tropical infectious diseases, trauma, snakebites, complicated pregnancies, cardiac and stroke patients, pesticide poisonings and the highest per capita suicide rate in the world. Jessica oversees VUSN students who collaborate with the Guyanese nurse residents on various quality improvement initiatives.

In May 2018, Jessica received the Global Impact in Nursing Award from the International Nurses Association.

The Alma Gault Alumni Award for Public Service: Annie Moon, MSN’03

Annie is Supervisor for the Department and School Health Services – DASH – in the Chinle Service Unit in Arizona. There, she manages the clinical services to underserved Native American adolescents in 5 high schools and 3 middle schools. She is also the only Native serving on the staff at Chinle Hospital. Annie is fluent in Navajo and cares for her patients by integrating modern medicine with the Navajo traditional way of life.

Under her stewardship, outreach to area schools has grown in quantity of schools served, quality of care given and number of services provided. In fact, her school-based clinic program was recognized in April as having one of the highest HPV vaccination rates in the country!

Annie leads an initiative to prevent obesity, diabetes and related consequences by promoting healthy, productive lifestyles for Navajo youth ages 10 to 19 years. Her aim is to create a program that can be replicated in other service units and settings. She serves as a sexual assault nurse examiner, collecting evidence for prosecution and using her expertise and clinical skills to help victims of sexual violence.

Annie was instrumental in a program that lead to the opening of site-based clinics at the local Youth Corrections Center and Adolescent Treatment Center. She also expanded school-based mental health services by developing a position, securing funding and hiring a licensed clinical social worker for her department.

The Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing: Jennifer Parker Kurkowski, MSN’09

Jennifer works as a women’s health NP specializing in adolescent gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She has provided numerous professional presentations on a variety of topics within the adolescent gynecologic specialty, and, as a much sought-after preceptor, Jennifer is flooded with requests from prospective students for clinical placements. And she offers her services as a preceptor to Vanderbilt students before accepting those from other programs.

Jennifer is active with the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. The organization offers a grant for advanced practice nursing students interested pediatric and adolescent gynecology. Through her encouragement, 2 of our women’s health students have applied for and been awarded this grant. In 2016, Jennifer received the annual Inspiration in Women’s Health Award from the Nurse Practitioner’s in Women’s Health organization.

The Catherine Hanley Class of 1912 Rising Star Alumni Award: Jordan Plaxico, BA’14, MSN’16

In the summer of 2017, the Clinic at Mercury Courts recruited Jordan to develop and implement a HRSA-funded initiative to integrate behavioral health into primary care in a severely economic and socially vulnerable community. Jordan jumped at the opportunity to be involved with something innovative and potentially paradigm-shifting for nursing and the health care system as a whole. According to her coworkers, Jordan has demonstrated a professional, scientific and ethical maturity well beyond her experience and career development. Says one: “Acquiring her for this critical position in this implementation was possibly miraculous and definitely fortuitous. She has been just the right person for the job.”

In her role, Jordan has created and implemented a screening process for mood and substance abuse disorders that has been especially successful in detecting patients with suicidality. While using this system at Mercury Courts, the rate of detection for suicidality have increased dramatically. The clinic has been able to care for patients accordingly, most of whom came in for other primary care medical services. Jordan is developing an evidence-based suicidality manual for use in other primary and ambulatory care practices, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The Alumni Award for Innovation in Health Care: Anna-Gene Chalfant O’Neal, BSN’88, MSN’92, MBA’92

As CEO of Alive Hospice in Nashville, Anna-Gene recognized that health providers are not taught how to discuss death and dying with patients and their families, and, instead, tend to learn on the job. And so she founded a program called Alive SHARE which helps health care providers open up and talk about this difficult topic with their patients.

Through the program, Alive Hospice hosts training sessions for nurse practitioners, social workers, case managers and doctors. Students learn skills and build their confidence when talking with patients and families about topics such as breaking difficult news around terminal illness as well as sudden death, realistic care plans, and the inevitable conclusion that death is imminent.

The Friend of Nursing Award: Wright Pinson, MD’80.

Dr. Pinson is Deputy CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and has a long history of supporting advanced practice RNs and of VUSN. Years ago, as a new transplant surgeon at VUMC, he insisted on a nurse practitioner being a key member of his team. His exemplary partnership with our late alumna, Jerita Payne, who served as Assistant Director of VUMC Clinical Transplant Services, is a shining example that helped create the exceptional practice environment for advanced practice that exists at Vanderbilt today.

Recently, in Wright’s senior leadership role at VUMC, he has been supportive of the School of Nursing and our nurse faculty practice sites. He is enthusiastic about the concept of nurse-managed practices and the importance of this model to increase primary care access for VUMC.

The Honorary Alumna: Marty Sutherland

Marty has held positions within the School of Nursing faculty practices, starting at the Vine Hill Community Clinic where she was Clinical Practice Manager, and then at the Metro Nashville Public Schools Employee and Family Health Care Clinics. She has also served as preceptor to VUSN students throughout spring and summer semesters for 20 years.

Patients, peers and students alike have spoken of Marty’s excellent care and instruction. One says, “She is a perfect primary care nurse practitioner and teacher; the NP that others call or go to with questions on patient care and management.” Her experiences have provided her with knowledge of “the system” for the benefit of her patients, peers and students alike.

The following awards will be presented by Dean Linda Norman at the VUSN Reunion Wine and Cheese Reception on October 6, 2017. Nominations for the awards were made by VUSN alumni and faculty; recipients were determined in a vote by the Alumni Association Board.

Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing: Angela M. Wilson-Liverman, MSN 1999

Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement: Amy Hull, MSN 1994

Alumni Association President’s Award of Distinction: Sharon A. Adkins, MSN 1988

Friend of Nursing: Bruce R. Beyer, BA 1977, MD 1981

Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing

The Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing is presented annually to a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing for outstanding contributions in clinical, patient-centered practice. This year’s recipient is Sally Yeagley.

Upon receiving her BSN from Vanderbilt in 1966, Sally joined a private obstetrical practice in Nashville, and, as a full partner – which was unique at the time – implemented her vision for patient-centered maternity care. She initiated a program (approved by the Tennessee State Regulatory Board) to allow children to be present in the birthing room—and she played a vital role in opening the first birthing room in Tennessee, at what was then Hendersonville Hospital.

Sally came back to Vanderbilt to receive her MSN in 1986. She is credentialed in reproductive health and specializes in the care of infertile women and women who have experienced sexual abuse. One of her nominators said, “Sally was an advanced practice nurse before we even coined this term, and remains a clinical leader and role model for those who are coming along today.” Another nominator made the observation that she “is known for her loving spirit, gentleness, thoroughness and sense of humor.”

Sally is being honored today by VUSN for her dedication to a vision, ability to sell that vision to colleagues at all levels, and capacity for making that vision a reality. Because of her, the birthing process in Tennessee has been greatly improved.

Congratulations, Sally Yeagley.

Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing

The Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing is presented annually to a School of Nursing graduate who is a national or international leader in nursing issues. This year’s recipient is Britney Broyhill.

Britney did her undergraduate work at Vanderbilt, and graduated with her MSN in 2008, and her DNP in 2013. At Carolinas HealthCare System, she has developed the largest post-graduate transition-to-practice NP training program in the country. And, when she discovered there was no post-graduate APRN fellowship credentialing body, she organized APRNs from across the U.S. to create the Association for Post Graduate APRN Programs.

Britney has published extensively, speaks at conferences, has testified before the National Institute of Medicine regarding the Future of Nursing report, and actively lobbies for full practice authority in North Carolina. One of her nominators said, “Dr. Broyhill’s work and dedication to all of the nursing initiatives she’s involved with, result in benefits felt by so many in the profession.” Another wrote, “She is actively working to change the perception of ‘mid-level providers’ to catapult them to being recognized as providers on the front line of medicine that are making a difference in patients’ lives.”

Congratulations, Britney Broyhill.

Friend of Nursing Award

The Friend of Nursing Award recognizes significant local or national contributions, or both, to the profession of nursing from an individual who is not a nurse or Vanderbilt University School of Nursing alumnus. This year’s recipient is Vereen Bell.

Vereen has taught at Vanderbilt since 1959 as a professor of English (now Emeritus). He has received numerous teaching awards, published multiple books and articles, and lectured internationally. He taught Advanced English to members of the VUSN Class of 1966, a course that, as one nominator said, “Began the process of learning to think critically, an altogether new experience that we have carried forward in our lives as nurses and humans in the world. He was the epitome of the reasons we were at Vanderbilt – intellectual stimulation and a beacon for where we might go in the world.”

Another member of the Class of ’66 said, “In my two working careers and in my personal interest, my working and communicating have benefitted from those early lessons in Dr. Bell’s class.” A third nominator added, “I often reflected on Dr. Bell’s uncompromising expectations, which I tried to emulate when I was teaching nursing students.”

Congratulations, Vereen Bell.

President's Award of Distinction

The President's Award of Distinction is presented to a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing who is recognized for distinguished contributions to nursing and to the community. This year’s recipient is Cynthia Cameron.

Cynthia completed her undergraduate work at Vanderbilt, and received her MSN here in 2010. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself not only to patient physical care, but also to their emotional well-being. Near the beginning of her career, at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, she went the extra mile to provide counseling to patients’ families. She has continued along that vein in positions in Nashville, Maryland and Washington D.C.

Since 2012, Cynthia has used her “spare” time to treat wounded military veterans at Passport Health in Bethesda, Maryland. She is able to help ease the severe backlog of V.A. cases while providing health care, nutrition and fitness training for injured veterans.

Cynthia’s full-time position is as an NP at the Dermatologic Surgery Center in D.C. One of her patients there said this: “She was so nice, friendly and reassuring, that I immediately trusted her diagnosis. Cynthia does very much exemplify the absolute best in her profession.”

Recently Cynthia was honored by Washingtonian Magazine as one of 33 finalists for its Excellence in Nursing Award.

Congratulations, Cynthia Cameron.

The following awards were presented by Dean Linda Norman at the VUSN Reunion Breakfast on Saturday, October 24, 2015.  Nominations for the awards were made by VUSN alumni and faculty; recipients were determined in a vote by the Alumni Association Board.   

Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing: Cara Osborne, MSN '01

Cara Osborne is a certified nurse-midwife and co-founder of Maternity Centers of America.  The company has launched birthing centers across the country, including one here in Nashville in conjunction with VUMC, called Baby + Co. Her goal is to bring together professionals from a variety of backgrounds including business, real estate, construction and health policy to find innovative ways to make birth centers a fundamental part of the American health care system.

Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement: Lindsay Trantum, MSN '07

Lindsay Trantum collaborated with the palliative care team and nursing staff in the VUMC Neuro ICU to create an end-of-life protocol for her unit that makes the transition from treatment to comfort care as smooth as possible for the patient, family and providers. She lead a team that changed the comfort care order set in her unit to include more appropriate medications; initiated a “time out” checklist for terminal extubations; and wrote a pamphlet that educates families about end-of-life and connects them with community resources in preparation for the passing of a loved one.  

Alumni Association President’s Award of Distinction: Nancye Feistritzer, DNP '13

Nancye Feistritzer’s innovative nursing leadership skills in effectively working with interdisciplinary teams came into play as Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Emory University Hospital in 2014 when Emory received its first Ebola patients. She immediately became a national resource to other impacted health care facilities and the public in general. While coordinating efforts at Emory, Nancye was interviewed by numerous news channels from NPR to Forbes.  She worked with the CDC to set the stage for national standards of caring for Ebola patients.

Friend of Nursing: John Schnelle, PhD

As director of the Vanderbilt Center for Quality Aging, John Schnelle has supported, mentored and provided guidance for VUSN nurse researchers and nurse practitioners for the past 8 years. It has been said that John recognizes that nurses provide the vast majority of direct care to older adults, and therefore have the greatest potential to effect change and improve care at ground level.  With that mindset, he encourages nurses to take leadership positions and join collaborative teams where they have a strong voice.

Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing Doreen Wise BSN 68

Doreen Wise, BSN '68, is the founder, chairman and former chief executive officer of Medical Research Consultants (MRC).  MRC is a certified women-owned business, and is preferred vendor for several major manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies, including DuPont and Pfizer.  Prior to founding MRC, Wise spent six years as an assistant professor at the University of Texas School of Nursing.  Wise worked as a psychotherapist in private practice for 12 years and as a nurse on the pediatric floor of a Southern California hospital while attending California State University. 

Wise founded Gabriel's Gifts, a foundation that provides support and assistance to families who have a missing person. 

In memory of a nursing classmate, Wise helped to establish the Janice Ambrey Stalcup Memorial Scholarship at VUSN, and in 2004, she was a co-founder of the Pass It On Scholarship. 

"When I started the consulting company, I recall sitting in a Sandler Sales System classroom, thinking I would learn something new.  About halfway through the first hour, I realized I was hearing the nursing process repackaged as sales strategy and delivery.  I thought, I already know how to do this!  And so it has been all of my career, and my personal life." 

"I owe Vanderbilt an inestimable debt.  The scholarship package generously offered paid for the bulk of my undergraduate education.  The faculty influenced my practice; my friends have influenced every aspect of my life.  And the mentor I have in the ever dauntless Clo McGill, Class of 1947A, is PRICELESS!  What a gift of grace for me to have been blessed with a Vanderbilt education.  I am deeply grateful each day for the treasure that is Vanderbilt."

Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing Ellen Davis, BSN'63

Ellen B. Davis, BSN'63, has a passion for making a difference.  As a diabetes clinical nurse specialist and certified diabetes educator, David has, through the Duke University Health System, taught and supported thousands of people with diabetes, for 35 years.  Her desire to help people live a quality like led her to use and promote individualized communication ling before "patient-centered" became the norm.  She knew early in her career that all patients with diabetes need education that is unique to their particular diagnosis and circumstance. 

Davis' work does not stop at her patient interactions.  In her position at a teaching hospital, Davis has the opportunity to coach, mentor and teach countless health care provides, from staff nurses to resident physicians to endocrinologists, in the more effective ways to support their patients. 

Her passion for improving the lives of those living with diabetes has moved Davis to foster research and increased knowledge in the medical field.  Her work has caused a ripple effect on the entire medical community.  Her publications in over 100 venues have helped nurses, doctors, administrators, dietitians, pharmacists, and others succeed in reaching thousands through their own publishing and presenting at national conferences.  

Davis serves as an adjunct faculty member at the schools of nursing at Duke, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and East Carolina University, where she continues to spread knowledge and improve skills working with undergraduate and graduate students.  At Duke, she has presented grand rounds to many groups including nurses, endocrinologist, psychiatrists and physicians. 

Davis has received awards from the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, Duke University, and the State of North Carolina.  Her passion for patients makes Ellen Davis extraordinary. 

President's Award of Distinction J. Michael Briley, MSN'94

J. Michael Briley, MSN'94, graduated Cum Laud with a B.S. in Biology/Chemistry in 1990 from Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee.  In 1994, he graduated Summa Cum Laud from VUSN as a family nurse practitioner.  He completed a doctoral residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing, graduating in May 2006. 

Since 1996, Briley has been the director of Primary Care Services in Jackson, Tennessee, and has served his community in many ways: 

• With student health at Youth Town of Tennessee
• With campus health at Freed-Hardeman
• As past chairman of the Health Policy and Governmental Affairs Committee for the State of Tennessee
• As a member of the faculty at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy
• As a former member of the Board of Directors of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Tennessee. 

The Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing Frances E. Likis, BS’93, MSN’94, Dr PH

The Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing is presented annually to a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing who is a national or international leader in nursing issues. Frances Likis is specifically recognized for her dedication to evidence-based best practice and contributions to knowledge in the challenging domain of women’s health care.

This dedication is particularly visible in her work as a co-editor of Women’s Gynecological Health currently in its second edition. The book has twice received the Book of the Year Award from the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).

The results of her independent and collaborative work have been published in well-respected, peer-reviewed journals. The results have been cited as evidence in support of the adoption of policy directives that benefit women’s health clinicians and the women and families whom they serve. She was the recipient of the highly competitive Kitty Ernst Award given to young professionals by the ACNM for creative and innovative work in women’s health. At the University of North Carolina, Likis was selected for the Royster Society of Fellows, a multi-year fellowship program for the most promising doctoral students across all of the university’s graduate programs. Likis was named as a VUSN Top 100 Leader during the school’s centennial celebration. In 2012, she was inducted as a fellow of ACNM.

Likis was deputy editor before assuming the post of editor-in-chief of the internationally respected Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health in 2008. As such, she works closely with a wide variety of researchers and clinical writers, mentors new writers, organizes special issues of the journal, and now includes representatives of other professional groups on the editorial board. Recent reports indicate that the profile of the journal has significantly risen thanks to Likis’ hard work and visionary insight.

Likis has had an unconventional, yet highly influential career in which she has distinguished herself as a national nursing leader in midwifery and women’s health. She is an asset to her profession and nursing in general.

The Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing Ellen Martin, BSN’69, MS, CNM, FACNM

The Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing is presented to a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing for proficiency in clinical, patient-centered practice.

As a staff nurse, head nurse in labor and delivery, and certified nurse midwife, Ellen Martin has been caring for women and infants during the perinatal period for more than 40 years and has delivered more than 4,000 babies.

Martin created the role of nurse midwife in OB/GYN practices in Dalton, Ga., and Atlanta in the 1970s and 1980s. She was director of nurse midwifery at Southeastern Health Service/Meridian Medical Group in Atlanta for 17 years. She was one of the first nurses/midwives to deliver babies at Northside and West Paces Ferry hospitals in Atlanta, and was one of the first nurses to serve on hospital committees while in this position.

Martin has supported the education of nurse-midwives as a preceptor for students from several schools and as a faculty member at Emory University. Her devotion to mothers and babies has never wavered, even as nursing and nursing’s role in midwifery changed. She has been a leader not only in the practice and establishment of midwifery in the hospital and in private practice, but also in her professional associations. She is a member and fellow of the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM), serving locally in Atlanta and the state of Georgia as well as nationally. Her recent leadership position has been with the ACNM Foundation, raising money for student scholarships and grants. She has served on the board as vice-president, president and treasurer. Her long history on the foundation has brought great understanding of the importance of a foundation as an investment for midwifery.

Once asked about her practice, Martin shared that she is now delivering the children and grandchildren of some of her former clients and patients. This speaks well of her caring attitude and her commitment to her patients generation after generation.

Friend of Nursing Emanuel O. Doyne, MD

The Friend of Nursing Award recognizes significant local or national contributions to the profession of nursing from an individual who is not a nurse or Vanderbilt University School of Nursing alumnus. Dr. Emanuel Doyne has been a community pediatrician in Cincinnati since 1976 after serving as a pediatrician (major) in the United States Air Force for two years. He is a well-respected pediatrician in the Cincinnati area and is passionate about teaching medical students, residents and nurse practitioners alike.

Doyne is an adjunct professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). Since 2009 he has trained 12 pediatric or family nurse practitioner students from various colleges, including University of Cincinnati, St. Louis University, Otterbein University, Wright State University and Vanderbilt University. The nurse practitioner students he has trained have positively impacted the greater Cincinnati community. One is a nurse educator in the PICU at the CCHMC; one is the care coordinator for tracheostomies at CCHMC; several are employed in the emergency department, and others are in private practice in Cincinnati. Doyne is also a lecturer for the University of Cincinnati in the College of Nursing Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program. He is a leader in the medical field in Cincinnati, and he has made it his goal to teach and guide nurse practitioners with the hopes of advancing patient care and changing the patient outcomes.

Doyne is very active in the world of pediatrics and has broadened his world of teaching to include nurse practitioner students. He is a trail blazer, setting an example for physicians everywhere with the hope that this will greatly impact their acceptance and utilization of nurse practitioners to better patient care for the pediatric populace. 

Honorary Alumnus/a Kathy Rivers

The Honorary Alumnus/a is awarded by the Vanderbilt School of Nursing Alumni Association in recognition of significant contributions to the school by an individual whose academic credentials were obtained elsewhere. The Honorary Alumnus/a for 2012 is Kathy Rivers, VUSN director of communications and editor of The Vanderbilt Nurse magazine. Below are some comments about Rivers from the leadership at the VUSN:

Becky Keck, senior associate dean for operations and administration and chief administrative officer: “Kathy has a strong commitment to the school and is gifted in reflecting a very positive image of the school in all that we do. She defines the word professional in everything that she does.”

Linda Norman, senior associate dean of academics: “Kathy has become so familiar with our work that she can ‘think like a nurse’ now. She has learned about the nuances of the different specialties in the M.S.N. program, and the D.N.P. and Ph.D. programs.”

Bonnie Pilon, senior associate dean for clinical and community partnerships:  “Kathy is always available, enthusiastic, and committed to each and every community-based program that VUSN offers. She gives wise counsel on how best to tell our story and to whom it should be told. She is always upbeat, positive, cheering on my team of providers who often work with patients and families living in some of the poorest conditions in Middle Tennessee. Kathy embraces it all. She is one of us in the most fundamentally important ways. We could not be successful without her efforts on our behalf and her belief in what we do. Bravo, Kathy!”

Sarah Ramsey, assistant dean for student affairs: “Kathy has exceeded the expectations of everyone as VUSN director of communications and taken the position to a new level. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.”

Mavis Schorn, assistant dean for academics: “Kathy has had an integral role in elevating the nurse-midwifery program from No. 13 to No. 3 in the country. Her continual identification of select media opportunities for nurse-midwifery faculty or students has provided a national influence on exposure for the program. Kathy is highly-appreciated and an asset to the VUSN!”

Betsey Usher, program manager: “Kathy attends a large number of events hosted by faculty, staff or students with her notebook and a photographer. Through her efforts, Kathy has indeed put the School of Nursing in the spotlight, both on campus and beyond.”

The President’s Award of Distinction Marie H. Thomas, BSN’77, MSN, PhD

The President’s Award of Distinction is presented to a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing who is recognized for notable contributions to nursing and to the communities.

Marie Thomas works tirelessly to promote nursing, never being satisfied with the “status quo” while seeking to improve outcomes in the associate degree nursing program at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, N.C. After receiving her Ph.D., she obtained national nurse educator certification. She has been teaching for more than 20 years. Thomas has served as president of the faculty senate at Forsyth and she was recently selected as one of North Carolina’s Great 100. She presented a poster on pacing strategies for taking the NCLEX-RN at the 2008 National Organization of Associate Degree Nursing conference and was selected to participate in the NCCC Leadership Program in 2011.

Thomas has published articles in three peer-reviewed journals, authored one chapter and edited chapters in 15 textbooks since 2007. She serves on many professional, college, division and departmental committees, including those related to computers, technology, research, distance learning, testing and curriculum.

Upholding the integrity of nursing and encouraging student success has been demonstrated by Thomas in numerous ways. Utilizing ATI resources, she implemented program-wide changes which resulted in a 100 percent NCLEX-RN pass rate. She spends many hours working with students individually to ensure their success. Her students attest that they are challenged by her expectations, yet encouraged by her methods.

Thomas exemplifies caring and commitment to community service while volunteering every week for the past six years at a local elementary school tutoring children. She has participated in the Foundation for Hospital Art, traveling to Ireland, Pakistan and France. Whether assisting students and colleagues on an individual basis, teaching or representing nursing in the community, Thomas exemplifies the essence of a professional educator.

The Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing Donna Behler McArthur, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP MSN’77

The Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing is presented annually to a Vanderbilt University School of Nursing graduate who is a national or international leader in nursing issues.

Donna McArthur, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, has shown a continued commitment to the education of advanced practice nurses at the local and national levels. She teaches and mentors students in her current position as director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Vanderbilt. She has been a member of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties for more than a decade and is currently serving on the curriculum leadership committee and on a number of committees for other national nurse and nurse practitioner organizations. McArthur has received numerous awards and honors, including the Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Arizona College of Nursing. In 1999, McArthur received a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to participate in a national program aimed at developing a model for educating nurse practitioner students in a managed care setting.

The Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing Kate Moore, RN, DNP, ARNP-BC MSN’96

The Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing is presented to a Vanderbilt University School of Nursing graduate for proficiency in clinical, patient-centered practice.

Kate Moore, RN, DNP, ARNP-BC, is currently an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing where she teaches in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program and maintains a practice as an acute care nurse practitioner. She has improved quality of care as well as advancing educational experiences for nursing and medical students. A colonel in the United States Army Reserve, Moore continues to serve on the Tri-Service Nursing Research Advisory Council, which reviews all Tri-Service nursing grants and makes funding recommendations. The council also provides input to the military nursing research agenda. While serving on active duty, Moore was the head nurse for a 25-bed ICU at the busiest United States Army trauma center in Iraq. She also was a leader of a burn care training course for Iraqi physicians and nurses. Moore has presented 17 papers in regional, national and international forums. She is an American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Ambassador and a Sigma Theta Tau International Virginia Henderson Fellow. Moore is pursuing a Ph.D. and has received grants from the MedEVAC Foundation International.

Friend of Nursing Robert E. McNeilly Jr. (Bob) BA’54, MAT’55

The Friend of Nursing Award recognizes significant local or national contributions to the profession of nursing from an individual who is not a nurse or Vanderbilt University School of Nursing alumnus.

Robert E. McNeilly Jr. is a dedicated supporter of Vanderbilt and the School of Nursing. He served as the Vanderbilt Reunion chair for the Class of 1954 and as the founding co-chair of the Coalition for the Canby Robinson Society, a fundraising committee that supports all areas of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is the past president of the Canby Robinson Society, past co-chair of the Shape the Future Medical School Scholarships Committee, and past president of the Vanderbilt University Alumni Association.

McNeilly makes a practice of investing in and promoting scholarships for nursing students as a way to prepare for a brighter health care future. McNeilly was recognized by Dean Conway-Welch for his efforts on behalf of nursing as a past chair of the Julia Hereford Society. He was one of 12 co-founders of Pinnacle Financial Partners in 2000 and serves on its board of directors. He is the chairman of the Metropolitan Action Commission and a board member of Montgomery Bell Academy and the Tennessee Performing Arts Foundation.

Honorary Alumnus Barbara A. Murphy, MD

The Honorary Alumnus is awarded by the Vanderbilt School of Nursing Alumni Association in recognition of significant contributions to the nursing school by an individual whose academic credentials were obtained elsewhere.

Barbara A. Murphy, MD, is associate professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and director of the Pain and Symptom Management Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is a medical oncologist who specializes in head and neck cancer as well as pain and symptom management control. Murphy’s respect of nurses as colleagues fosters a healthy exchange of ideas.

VUSN Senior Associate Dean Ann Minnick writes, “Dr. Murphy has been a supporter and research mentor for School of Nursing faculty, postdoctoral fellows and predoctoral students. Her efforts have increased our participation in interdisciplinary projects at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. She has a true appreciation of nursing research, including the ability of nurses to be principal investigators. In addition to her championship of nursing efforts to assist patients with pain and symptom management, she has served as a role model of compassionate care especially in her area of specialization, upper digestive cancer.”

The President’s Award of Distinction Claudia Stoffel, MSN BSN’72

The President’s Award of Distinction is presented this year to two graduates of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing who are recognized for distinguished contributions to nursing and to their communities.

Claudia Stoffel, MSN, has excelled in meeting the challenges of providing nursing care, innovative nursing education and nursing leadership on local, national and international levels. She began her nursing career on a pediatric oncology unit at the National Institutes of Health. In 1992, she found her true calling when she began teaching in the associate degree program at what is now West Kentucky Community and Technical College. She became a full professor in 2008 and is currently the program coordinator for the college’s Practical Nursing Program.

Stoffel has contributed to nine textbooks. She was twice an item writer for the National Council for State Boards of Nursing licensure exam for registered nurses in 2010. She has also been published in RN Magazine and Exceptional Parent magazine.

In 2004, Stoffel presented a four-day course to nurses and physicians in Mexico on meeting the needs of terminally ill patients. She administers a refresher course for registered nurses that she developed and instituted.

The President’s Award of Distinction Gail Kuhn Weissman, EdD, RN, FAAN BSN’60

Gail Kuhn Weissman, EdD, RN, FAAN, earned her master’s degree from Columbia University while working full time in pediatrics and surgery and later as a supervisor. She went on to earn her doctoral degree while vice president, nursing, and associate director of inpatient services of the Mount Sinai Hospital and Medical Center in New York City. She is in Columbia University’s Nursing Hall of Fame. The New York State Nurses Association awarded her the McMullen-Isani Award for Distinguished Service to Nursing and the Jane Delano Distinguished Service Award.

Her interest in improving nursing care has led her to Nigeria, China, Romania, the Dominican Republic, Russia, Chile and Japan for consultations and presentations. She has authored and co-authored more than 30 articles in professional journals. Interest in nursing research is seen in her board membership at the Harvard Nursing Research Institute at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Since her retirement, she has developed and taught leadership and change management courses to senior health care administrators and nurse managers. She also teaches classes on resolving management conflict in the workplace, quality issues, the patient service connection and project management.

The Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing: Ann H. Tescher, BSN '77

The Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing: Ann H. Tescher, BSN '77

The alumni award for Excellence in Nursing is presented annually to a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing who is a national or international leader in nursing issues.

Ann Tescher is a clinical nurse specialist (Surgical/Trauma Intensive Care Unit) and a Researcher Engaged in Practice, in the Department of Nursing at Mayo Clinic. She is an assistant professor of nursing, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.

Dr. Tescher has served as a long-standing mentor and represents Mayo Clinic at international nursing conferences. She is recognized for multi-disciplinary collaboration in practice, quality improvement, and research.

A commander in the Navy Nurse Corps, Captain Tescher transferred to Retired Reserve on December 1, 2008. She has four Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals and one Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Tescher reported to duty March 5 in the intensive care unit at the Navy Hospital in Bremerton, Washington.

The Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing: Anne A. Moore, BSN '76, MSN '81

The alumni award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing is presented to a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing for proficiency in clinical, patient-centered practice.

Anne Moore is a certified women's health nurse practitioner and Professor of Nursing at VUSN. She developed the women's health nurse practitioner program at VUSN in 1992. Moore is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health and serves on the editorial board of Women's Health Care: A Practical Guide for Nurse Practitioners.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Moore practices in Nashville as a certified colposcopist and specializes in well woman care. Moore has made presentations regionally and nationally at the National Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Symposium, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Annual Meeting and the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates. She has been president of National Practitioners in Women's Health and is a fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Friend of Nursing: Robert E. Taylor

Robert Taylor was husband to Ann Schuh Taylor, BSN '51. They spent 55 years together and Dr. Taylor always said that his wonderful wife, Annie, was his best friend. He said, "Vanderbilt University School of Nursing enhanced her basic personality of service and gave her the abilities she needed to effectively touch the lives of so many people. Her first love was pediatrics followed by public health nursing." Dr. Taylor cherishes the VUSN as he believes that the School played a very important role in his life and in the life of his family.

Taylor invested in the renovations of the Godchaux Hall Living Room is his late wife's honor because he and his wife had "courted there for 18 months" and he has sweet memories of laughter and friends. Also, as a memorial to his wife who passed away in 2007, Dr. Taylor established a scholarship fund in memory of his wife to make it possible for future deserving nursing students to have an opportunity of the education that was so important to her.

Taylor is a Vanderbilt University graduate and is a retired bio-chemist from the University of Alabama. The Taylors have two children and four grandchildren.

Honorary Alumnus: Harry Gwirtsman

The Honorary Alumnus is awarded from time to time by the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Alumni Association in recognition of significant contributions to the nursing school by an individual whose academic credentials were obtained elsewhere.

Harry Gwirtsman, MD, has been a member of the Vanderbilt University Department of Psychiatry since 1995. He was Director of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine from 1998 until 2006. He currently serves as the Director of Inpatient Services and the Psychiatry-Medical Unit (PMU), as well as the Consultation-Liaison Service, and is also Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Program at the Nashville Veterans Administration---Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. He is board certified in Adult Psychiatry, and has subspecialty boards in Geriatric Psychiatry.

According to Whitney Wormer, MSN '03, "Dr. Gwirtsman has been a wonderful asset to Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Students who have had the pleasure to work with Dr. Gwirtsman as part of their clinical experiences recall how encouraging he has been to them as they gain their psychiatry skills and how much of an expert he is in delivery of care."

Gwirtsman is celebrating this honor today with his wife, Karen Rosenthal-Gwirtsman, MSN '02.

The President's Award of Distinction: Beatrice Goodwin, BSN '55

The President's Award of Distinction is presented to graduates of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing who are recognized for distinguished contributions to nursing and to their communities.

After graduating from Vanderbilt in 1955, Beatrice Goodwin went on to earn a doctorate at New York University College of Nursing where she received their prestigious Founder's Award.

Dr. Goodwin is spearheading the New York University College of Nursing's work in Latin America on curriculum consultation for 28 universities in Colombia, Argentina and Chile. Dr. Goodwin assists faculty in critiquing and revising their curricula. In addition, she has worked in Bogota, Colombia, assisting faculty in the design of basic research on elder care. She helped two Colombian universities develop master's programs in geriatric and mental health nursing. At a new university, in Bucaramanga, Colombia, she has helped a nursing program become the first department to be nationally accredited.

Goodwin has served as Chief Nurse, Aeromedical Evacuation Flight with the New York Air National Guard; professor of nursing and department chairperson at Herbert H. Lehman College in Bronx, NY; Senior Advisor to the Dean at the New York University College of Nursing. In 2008, NYU College of Nursing honored Goodwin as the Distinguished Nurse Alumna.

The Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing: Donna M. Herrin, MSN ’91

The alumni award for Excellence in Nursing is presented annually to a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing who is a national or international leader in nursing issues.

Donna Herrin, vice president for Patient Services for Methodist Health Systems, created the Nursing Institute of the MidSouth. This 501(c)(3) brings together nursing practice and academic leaders to address nursing workforce issues facing the Shelby County area.

A long-time member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), this year Herrin serves as president. She is widely published in peer-reviewed journals, and she serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Nursing Administration. She is a clinical associate professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and holds faculty positions at the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences. She is currently a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and certified as a Nursing Administrator, Advanced by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing Sara H. Hampshire: BSN ’71, MSN ’75

The alumni award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing is presented to a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing for proficiency in clinical, patient-centered practice.

Sara Hampshire is a family nurse practitioner with Tennessee Women’s Care in Nashville. Obstetrician/Gynecologist Phil Bressman, MD, has practiced with Hampshire for 27 years and said, “for the past four years, we have worked together exclusively in collaborative practice. I am truly fortunate to have her as a colleague and as a dear friend.”

She currently volunteers with Siloam Clinic and anticipates future opportunities to assist and mentor young children with their reading skills. A wife and mother of two, Sara has serves as a model for peers and patients with her ability to balance work, life, family and fun.

The President’s Award of Distinction: Sheila H. Ridner, MSN ’00, PhD ’03

The President’s Award of Distinction is presented to graduates of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing who are recognized for distinguished contributions to nursing and to their communities.

Since 2003, Sheila Ridner, PhD, has given presentations on Lymphedema at the Annual Oncology Nursing Congress, the First International Lymphedema Network Patient Summit and the National League for Nurses International Conference on Lymphedema. She has spoken at the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, Hardin Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Center and at various YMCAs for their After Breast Cancer Programs. Sheila has numerous peer-reviewed articles, including in Oncology Nursing Forum, Journal of Advanced Nursing Research, and Supportive Care in Cancer.

In addition to receiving her MSN and PhD from Vanderbilt University, Sheila earned a Master of Health Services Administration from the College of St. Francis Graduate School.

Her fundraising efforts have brought in more than $500,000 to fund Lymphedema research.

Friend of Nursing: James (Jim) Carell

For over 40 years, Jim Carell has looked ahead to health care needs and provided options to meet them. Carell is a longtime supporter of the Vanderbilt School of Nursing. His daughter graduated from the School of Nursing in 2005 as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. In that same year, he and his wife Jan established the James and Janet Carell/Tina Marie McIntosh MSN, CPNP Scholarship for Nurses to benefit nursing students demonstrating merit and financial need. During recent renovations at VUSN, Carell generously provided one of his own buildings for the students to use.

From his leadership as general agent of a Mutual of Omaha agency to his founding of CareAll (a home health-care agency primarily for seniors) in 1985, Carell has insisted that employees must provide high-quality value to chronically ill patients and their families.

Honorary Alumnus: Patricia Champion Frist

The Honorary Alumnus is awarded in recognition of significant contributions to the nursing school by an individual whose academic credentials were obtained elsewhere.

Patricia Frist is a community volunteer. She has served on the boards of the Nashville Community Foundation, YWCA, Harpeth Hall, Ensworth School and Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC). A partner at Frist Capital and president at Frisco, Inc., Frist is president of the Patricia C. Frist and Thomas F. Frist Jr. Foundation. She has been an independent director of SunTrust Banks Inc. since 2000.

The Frist family invested in the Patricia Champion Frist Hall at VUSN. The 25,000 square foot building includes a student lounge, an 80-seat multi-media classroom, two multi-purpose rooms, a 30-seat classroom, 35 faculty offices, three conference rooms and the state-of-the-art Frist Nursing Informatics Center.

The Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing

• 1980 Eloise R. Lewis, BSN’41
• 1981 Dorothy E. Johnson, BSN’42
• 1982 Julia Jane Hereford, BSN’36
• 1983 Virginia P. Crenshaw, BSN’42
• 1984 Kathleen Andreoli, MSN’59
• 1985 Margaret Jacobson, BSN’54, MSN’58
• 1986 Amelia M. Maglacas, BSN’53
• 1987 Virginia Trotter Betts, MSN’71
• 1988 Mary Louise Donaldson, BSN’51, MSN’61
• 1989 Gail Kuhn Weissman, BSN’60
• 1990 Kathryn Wolf Nelson, BSN’46 MSN’61
• 1991 Anne Baile Hamri, BSN’70
• 1992 Mary Fran Hazinski, BSN’74
• 1993 Margo McCaffery, MSN’61
• 1994 Nan H. Troinano, MSN’87
• 1995 Viona Smith Rice, MSN’79
• 1996 Joan E. King, BSN’72, MSN’75
• 1997 Charlotte McDaniel, BSN’67
• 1998 Lisa Mandeville Staggs, BSN’78, MSN’88
• 1999 Carol Etherington, BSN’75
• 2000 Larry Lancaster, MSN’71, EdD’82
• 2001 Catherine Garner, BSN’76, MSN’82
• 2002 Karen Starr, MSN’83
• 2004 Leah Albers, BSN’71, MSN’74
• 2006 Poppy Pickering Buchanan, BSN’61
• 2007 Sue A. Morgan, BSN’71, MSN’72, PhD’87
• 2008 Cynthia Gregory Waller, MSN’97

The Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing

• 1993 Catherine Garner, BSN’76, MSN’82
• 1994 Kathryn S. Skinner, BSN’56
• 1995 Kitty Cashion, MSN’83
• 1996 Susan Welden Caro, BSN’77, MSN’82
• 1997 Ginger Manley, BSN’66, MSN’81
• 1998 Nancy Anness, MSN’86
• 1999 Adrienne Ames, MSN’75
• 2000 Marilyn Dubree, MSN’76
• 2001 Elizabeth Dayani, BSN’71, MSN’72
• 2002 Jacquelyn McMillian-Bohler, MSN’97
• 2004 Susan A. Murphy, BSN’69
• 2006 Susan Philbin Walsh, BSN’61
• 2007 Beth Towery Davidson, MSN’91
• 2008 Diedra Freeman, MSN’93

The President’s Award of Distinction

• 1992 Mary Jarnigan Bradley, BSN’42, MSN’75
• 1993 Diane Welch Vines, BSN’67
• 1994 Virginia George, BSN’47B
• 1995 Mary Evelyn Kemp, BSN’56, MSN’63
• 1996 Frances M. Edwards, BSN’53, MSN’76
• 1997 Barbara Lockridge Mason, BSN’55
• 1998 Melissa Coate Hauck, BSN’72
• 1999 Nancy Travis, BSN’47A
• 2000 Beth Brooking, BSN’77, MSN’81
• 2001 Leanne Crabtree Busby, MSN’87
• 2002 John Michael Briley, MSN’94
• 2004 Helen Iola Manoogian, BSN’47B, and Cloace Ferguson McGill, BSN’47A
• 2006 Hollie Whitmore Potts, MSN’94
• 2007 Susan Roberts Cooper, BSN’79, MSN’94
• 2008 Elizabeth Cleino, BSN’44

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Honorary Alumnus

• 1993 Luci Baines Johnson
• 1994 Colleen Conway-Welch, PhD
• 1996 Joyce Kemp Laben, JD
• 1997 Sally Wamsley
• 1999 Karen and Allan Rankin, MD, and Janie Daddario
• 2000 Linda Norman, DSN
• 2001 Peter Buerhaus, PhD
• 2002 Bonnie Pilon, PhD
• 2004 Diane Welch Vines, BSN’67
• 2006 Betsy Weiner, PhD
• 2007 Jim Carell and Vicky Brown Gregg
• 2008 Naji Abumrad, MD

Friend of Nursing

• 1994 Dorothy S. Goldstein
• 1995 Frank A. Godchaux III
• 1996 Burton Hummell
• 1997 Roscoe R. “Ike” Robinson, MD
• 1998 Robert K. Zelle
• 1999 Julie G. Boehm
• 2000 Linda Torres-Webb
• 2001 Barbara Murphey
• 2002 Lewis Lefkowitz, Jr, MD
• 2004 Kathy Wood-Dobbins
• 2006 Andrea Higham
• 2007 Louise Browning and Alan L. Graber, MD
• 2008 Rhonda Greer