Pam Jones, DNP, NEA-BC, senior associate dean of Clinical and Community Partnerships, received the Rebecca Clark Culpepper Education and Mentorship Award given jointly by Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nursing during VUMC’s annual Nursing Honors awards Friday, May 25.
Jones directs the School of Nursing’s working relationships with VUMC and oversees VUSN’s practice opportunities, including community outreach programs. She serves as an expert and liaison to VUMC for the development, mentorship and succession planning process for nurse leaders.
In addition to advising DNP students and teaching, she chairs and serves on scholarly project and DNP curriculum committees. She is a subject matter expert and adviser to the MSN Health Care Leadership program.
“Pam is the epitome of a humble, servant leader,” a colleague wrote when nominating Jones. “In addition to encouraging, facilitating and supporting the professional development of peers, she assures that she continues to grow and expand her knowledge and insight in multiple domains — administration, education and research.”
The Culpepper award recognizes a nurse or faculty member who exemplifies nurse education and professional development. Its namesake, Rebecca “Becky” Culpepper, was a VUSN professor and VUMC nursing administrator credited with bringing staff development to the nursing administration team during her nearly two decades at Vanderbilt. Culpepper’s vision was to bring education to all levels of nursing. Those who receive the Culpepper award continue her mission through mentorship of fellow nursing staff, students or faculty, actively promoting the nursing profession and being committed to professional development for all nurses.
Prior to her VUSN senior associate dean role, Jones was chief nursing officer for Vanderbilt University Adult Hospital. She also holds three Vanderbilt degrees, earning her BSN in 1981, MSN in 1992, and DNP in 2013.
Top image: Left, Dean Linda Norman, Pam Jones and Marilyn Dubree