Recognition

Faculty and Staff

Each spring before the end of the academic year, a select few faculty, staff and community partners are honored by the college for their exceptional efforts in moving forward with the mission of the University of Kentucky College of Nursing. Below are the 2011 award winners.

Louise J. Zegeer Award

Wanda F. Lovitz

Wanda Lovitz, MSN, RN, APRN, joined the UK nursing faculty in 2001. Through her years of service she has demonstrated highly effective teaching, both in classroom and clinical settings. She has demonstrated versatility including providing clinical supervision for undergraduates in medical-surgical nursing and teaching RN-BSN students in health assessment. Her perfect 4.0 student evaluations for clinical instruction are a common occurrence. Students describe her as knowledgeable, organized and enthusiastic. As an expert teacher, Mrs. Lovitz applies clinical scenarios to classroom content. As noted by one of her nominators, she “role models professionalism and is well-liked and respected by course faculty and students.” Mrs. Lovitz embodies the characteristics of the Louise J. Zegeer Award and we greatly appreciate her contributions to the undergraduate nursing program over these past ten years.

Gloe L. Bertram Award

Phil M. Hampton

Mr. Phil Hampton is commended for his contributions to the College of Nursing. As noted by a colleague, “Although Phil does excellent work, it is his nature that I wish to exemplify… Phil always does his work with a sense of calmness and serenity. Even if the outcome of his assistance is in question (e.g., software incompatibilities, physical constraints), he never becomes bothered or disheartened… Finally, when a job is complete, Phil never departs without saying, ‘Let me know if you need anything else.’” Another colleague wrote, “In the Clinical Simulation Center we have a lot of sophisticated simulators, media centers in each classroom and a variety of additional computers. Anyone who teaches or presents knows when you get a classroom ready to present and suddenly technology fails it is a crisis moment. Phil always comes to the rescue and helps.” Mr. Hampton’s work is not highly visible; however, his service to the college is immeasurable.

Employee of the Year Award

Mary E. Gregory

Ms. Mary Gregory is best known as the person who welcomes visitors to the College of Nursing serving as our receptionist. This is no small task given the diversity of requests that she receives on an hourly basis. A colleague shared the following about Ms. Gregory’s work – “I know Mary greets individuals who enter our doors with a helpful, graceful and professional attitude and makes everyone feel at ease.” Ms. Gregory actively contributes to activities that keep our students connected – for example, her work on the “Weekly Dose” provides undergraduate students with important information in a consolidated format and it is also helpful for faculty and staff. She also plays an important role in the college’s Pinning Ceremony as our students’ transition to being alumni. On behalf of the college, we thank Ms. Gregory for her passion for serving students and for creating a welcoming culture.

Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award

Dorothy A. Brockopp

Dorothy Brockopp, PhD, RN, joined the nursing faculty in 1988 and has demonstrated excellence in teaching, curriculum development, and mentoring students in the college’s graduate programs while at the same time truly valuing and advancing baccalaureate nursing education. Throughout her time at the University of Kentucky, she has actively supported nurses to engage in clinical inquiry. As noted by her colleagues, “Dorothy’s greatest contribution to the PhD Program has been her mentorship of PhD students. She is fully invested in their success…” and within the DNP Program, “she developed and taught core courses that influenced the development of capstone projects beyond her own advisees.” In recent years, Dr. Brockopp has returned to the bedside through her work as an evidence-based consultant with Lexington's Central Baptist Hospital. This work has created opportunities for UK nursing students and also engaged nurses to further their education. We thank Dr. Brockopp for her vision, unwavering commitment, and exceptional mentorship.

Excellence in Part-Time Teaching Award

E. Allen Sizemore

Allen Sizemore, MSN, RN, APRN, has provided clinical instruction to undergraduate students in NUR 863 since 2009. As noted by the course coordinator, “I wish I could bottle up what he has and give it to every clinical instructor. His approach with students is very inviting, non-intimidating but also gets through to them and makes them understand what is going on with their patients and how they have an opportunity to impact their patients’ lives.” One of his first BSN students wrote, “Allen made the semester memorable, informative, and enjoyable. I will never forget the values he instilled in us and his intense passion for nursing and teaching.” Another student wrote, “Allen is the type of instructor that will teach you, tell you, show you, and let you try skills in the clinical setting and always stays positive regardless of the outcome. It seemed as if almost every day Allen would make some kind of comment or put us into some situation in which he could remind us that we all will be going back to school to further our education because he knows that the possibilities are endless.”

Excellence in Clinical Practice Award

Audrey K. Darville

Audrey Darville, MSN, RN, APRN, CTTS, joined the nursing faculty in 2008 as the University of Kentucky HealthCare Tobacco Treatment Specialist, supporting UK’s tobacco-free medical center and campus. She provides more than 120 consults per month to patients as well as employees and students. Widely recognized as an effective collaborator and team member, Mrs. Darville is an active member of a variety of committees (for example, UK’s Tobacco Treatment Advisory Group, the Tobacco Policy Research Team, and the Secondhand Smoke Campaign Steering Committee). She also participated in the Joint Commission pilot project for new tobacco and alcohol screening and treatment measures. Mrs. Darville is engaged nationally, serving as secretary of the National Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence. She is also active in the college’s teaching mission–precepting nursing students and guest lecturing. Her unwavering enthusiasm and optimism are invaluable.

Excellence in Undergraduate Precepting Award

Rachel Scott

Since 2008, Rachel Scott, BSN, RN, has contributed to educating the next generation of professional nurses as a preceptor for Synthesis experiences in Labor and Delivery at Saint Joseph East Hospital. As noted by the course coordinator, “Rachel’s patience with novice students and willingness to take a back seat in patient care to promote student learning are two of her teaching strengths. Labor and Delivery can be challenging, exciting, and, in some instances, intimidating. Rachel helps the students face these challenges while role modeling excellence in patient care.” A BSN alumni wrote, she “demonstrates professionalism on a daily basis and serves as a role model to students and peers alike. She is respectful and kind to all patients, families, and coworkers. She is a valuable team player and a fantastic individual while maintaining her patient advocate role... I will strive to practice with the same amount of passion and patience… and hope to be half the nurse Rachel is as I progress throughout my career.”

Excellence in Undergraduate Unit/Agency Award

UK Good Samaritan Hospital, 5 Main

The College of Nursing depends on clinical sites and their nursing staff to provide the next generation of professional nurses with outstanding learning environments. The nurses on 5 Main are commended for their commitment to the work that they do every day to meet the needs of patients. The NUR863 course coordinator said, “Our sophomore students rave about their experiences at Good Samaritan because the nurses are very warm and frequently ask students to come with them to observe or assist with procedures. They include the students in everything from day-to-day nursing care to quality improvement projects. They never tire from answering students’ questions. Students at Good Samaritan often say they are starting to feel like real nurses because of the opportunities they are afforded.” An undergraduate student captured it well: “This experience has taught me that nurses never stop asking questions and learning. In the future if I have student nurses work with me I hope to be as informative and helpful as the 5 Main nurses.”

Excellence in Graduate Clinical Precepting Award

Samantha A. Todd

Samantha Todd, MSN, RN, APRN, FNP, an alumna of the UK Master of Science in Nursing Program, is a family nurse practitioner at Saint Joseph Healthcare where she provides primary care to uninsured persons. The part-time clinic provides care to more than 3,600 persons annually and welcomes our family nurse practitioner students to gain hands-on experience. Her nominator wrote that, “Precepting students is Samantha’s way of giving back to the profession and also keeping her practice relevant. She is an exceptional supporter of student learning, including critical thinking skills.” Student comments further illustrate the support she offers–“Samantha was very patient and always–always answered my questions thoroughly,” “She challenged my thinking and always gave feedback on my documentation,” and, “She gave me ample time to learn the electronic documentation system and I never felt uncomfortable or pushed when learning it.” Ms. Todd is “an outstanding role model for professional nursing practice and committed to clinical excellence while serving the most vulnerable of populations.”

Teaching Excellence in Support of Professional Nursing Award

Paul A. Kearney

Paul Kearney, MD, FACS, professor of surgery, Paul A. Kearney Endowed Chair in Trauma Surgery, and section head, Acute Care Surgery, Trauma and Surgical Critical Care in the College of Medicine, is well-known for the exceptional patient care that he provides in UK HealthCare’s acute care surgery service. It is from this strong foundation that he engages the next generation of health care professionals, including the College of Nursing acute care nurse practitioner students. As noted by his nominator, Dr. Kearney “regularly provides outstanding learning experiences for our students by challenging them to perform to a high standard while patiently shepherding them through the maze of managing the acutely ill surgical patient. Dr. Kearney takes an individual interest in each graduate nursing student, pays particular attention to their needs to become expert in critical care and in critical thinking. He brings them into the team and respects them as one of his own.” We are grateful for his strong advocacy for our ACNP students and the invaluable learning experiences that he provides.

Excellence in Research/Scholarship Award

Kristin B. Ashford

Kristin Ashford, PhD, RN, APRN, has established herself as a nurse scientist in the area of prevention of preterm birth. Her selection as a Scholar in the “Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) program allowed Dr. Ashford to conduct interdisciplinary research and write grant proposals with senior mentors from the Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry. As noted by her nominator, “This research on levels of prenatal inflammatory markers in saliva, serum, and cervico-vaginal fluid of women who have preterm births compared with women who have term pregnancies is cutting edge and may lead to early identification of women at risk for preterm birth.” Dr. Ashford has also played an instrumental role in developing and evaluating the Kentucky GIFTS (Giving Infants and Families Tobacco-Free Starts) Program, which is now available in all counties in the Commonwealth. This program is designed to reduce the prevalence of smoking and pregnancy and in doing so, improving birth outcomes. Knowing the value of mentorship, Dr. Ashford works closely with undergraduate research interns–supporting their development as potential future nurse scientists.

Dean’s Recognition Award

Kathy Wagner

Kathy Wagner, EdD, RN, exemplifies the spirit of this award with her unwavering support of students, faculty and staff. An essential part of the fabric of the college, she approaches her work with a “can do” attitude. She is not one to shy away when asked to assume leadership roles in the college and has served on key undergraduate committees as well as Faculty Council, Faculty Search Committee, and provides curriculum consultation to the undergraduate program. As noted by her nominator, “Kathy is very generous with her time to new as well as seasoned faculty. Faculty members often drop by for advice on student issues, test item writing tips, or effective teaching strategies. Dr. Wagner is a prolific writer, recently publishing an award-winning high acuity textbook. More importantly, she supports scholarship in other colleagues by reviewing and editing drafts of their written scholarly work.” Dr. Wagner also has an open door policy for students and “is the consummate teacher, always changing and improving her teaching strategies. Students remember the effect Dr. Wagner had on their learning long past graduation. They say she is one of the best teachers they have ever had.” She epitomizes colleagueship, selflessness, and dedicated service that contributes to a positive work culture and supportive environment for faculty, staff and students.