The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing recognized four distinguished health care professionals with its annual Alumni Association awards Oct. 6, one a tireless advocate for nurses in the state of Tennessee and three who are dedicated to women’s health and practice in the Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and School of Medicine.
The school’s 2017 award recipients, Sharon A. Adkins, MSN ’88; Amy Hull, MSN ’94, RNC; Angela Wilson-Liverman, MSN ’99, DHSc, CNM, FACNM; and Bruce R. Beyer, BA ’77, MD ’81, were honored at a reception during the School of Nursing’s annual Reunion celebration.
Sharon Adkins, executive director of the Tennessee Nurses Association, received the Alumni Association President’s Award of Distinction for her contributions to nursing and the community. Adkins served as Tennessee’s chief advocate for nurses and the nursing profession for more than 11 years. In that time, she has championed the need for nurses to get involved in policy and political advocacy as well as advocated for legislative change in regulations governing nurse practice. VUSN Alumni Association President Tiffany Street presented the award to Adkins, who recently retired from TNA.
The Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing was awarded to Amy Hull, assistant professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at VUSM, for outstanding contributions to clinical, patient-centered practice. Hull is active in professional, clinical and research activities regarding urogynecology. She is t
he current president of the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates, representing more than 2,300 members and directing urologic educational standards for providers and patients. At Vanderbilt, she trains OB/GYN residents and UroGyn fellows in urogynecology and urodynamics. Hull was unable to attend the award ceremony and will be honored at a future date.
Angela Wilson-Liverman is director of the Division of Midwifery and Advanced Practice at VUMC and associate professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM). She received the Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing, which honors a leader in national or international nursing issues. Wilson-Liverman has been active in education and leadership with the American College of Nurse-Midwives on the local and national levels. An innovative and effective nurse-leader, she has developed and instituted initiatives such as the Fetal Center at Vanderbilt, expanded the Maternal Special Care Unit, and operationalized a same day work-in clinic for prenatal patients.
The 2017 VUSN Friend of Nursing Award was presented to Bruce Beyer, associate professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology and medical director of Vanderbilt Women’s Health at One Hundred Oaks. The award is given for significant contributions to 
the nursing profession by someone who isn’t a nurse or VUSN alumnus. Beyer was an early advocate of nurse and physician collaborations in providing patient care. He was recognized, in particular, for his championship of incorporating advanced practice nurses in the OB/GYN division at VUSM and for his many years as consulting physician to the VUSN midwifery practice.
Nominations for the VUSN Alumni Association Awards are made by VUSN alumni and faculty. The recipient of the President’s Award of Distinction is chosen by the nursing alumni association president. Recipients for the other awards are determined in votes by the Alumni Association Board.
Image, top right:
From left, Marilyn Dubree, MSN ’76, Executive Chief Nursing Officer at Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Sharon Adkins, MSN ’88; VUSN Alumni Association President Tiffany Street, MSN ’03; and Dean Linda Norman. Street presented Adkins with the 2017 Alumni Association President’s Award of Distinction.
Image, middle right:
Angela Wilson-Liverman, MSN ’99, accepts the 2017 Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing from Dean Linda Norman.
Image, bottom right:
VUSN Alumni Director Betsey Usher, MEd ’95, listens as Dean Linda Norman talks about Dr. Bruce Beyer’s commitment to the School of Nursing.
Photos: Anne Rayner, VU.