By Pareasa Rahimi

The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing will commemorate its 75th Anniversary with a 75th Diamond Anniversary Gala, presented by the Alabama Nurses Foundation, on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 5 p.m. The event, held at the School, will celebrate the School’s legacy and honor eight individuals for their outstanding achievements, including seven distinguished alumni and a founding member of the School’s Board of Visitors. In addition to recognizing these leaders, the Gala will support future generations of nurses by raising funds for endowed scholarships.

The evening will feature a reception, seated dinner and live musical entertainment.

UAB SCHOOL OF NURSING DEAN'S AWARD FOR LIFETIME CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

In celebration of the School’s Diamond Anniversary, Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FNAP, FACHE, FAAN, is honoring seven alumni with the Dean’s Award for Lifetime Career Achievement—an award reserved for those whose life’s work and ongoing impact has set them apart.

The seven alumni are:

Joanne M. Disch, PhD, RN, FAAN (MSN 1976)

Joanne M. Disch, PhD, RN, FAAN (MSN 1976), is recognized as one of the most influential nurses in America and has shaped the future of nursing through her visionary leadership, unwavering advocacy for patient safety and nurse empowerment, and passionate advocacy for the nursing lens in health care—emphasizing the unique insights nurses bring to solving complex challenges. She served as President of both the American Academy of Nursing and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, chaired the National Board of Directors for the AARP, chaired the University Healthcare Consortium's Chief Nurse Executive Council and chaired the American Nurses Association's Committee on Nursing Practice Standards and Guidelines. Her leadership has been pivotal in elevating the role of nurses in healthcare decision-making and shaping policies that prioritize quality care and safety. Disch held key academic roles at the University of Minnesota, including interim dean and director of the Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership, and served on four health system boards, chairing two, and served on the Chamberlain University Board of Trustees for 12 years. Her contributions have earned her numerous prestigious honors, including fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing, as well as its President's Award and AAN's highest recognition as a Living Legend, the Marguerite Rodgers Kinney Award for a Distinguished Career and GE Pioneering Spirit Award from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, and two Founders Awards from Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She was honored with the UAB School of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award in 1994 and named a Visionary Leader in 2010.

Constance S. Hendricks, PhD, RN, FAAN (BSN 1974, MSN 1981)

Constance S. Hendricks, PhD, RN, FAAN (BSN 1974, MSN 1981), is a nurse educator, scholar and advocate whose leadership has shaped nursing education and advanced health equity, and she has broken barriers and built pathways for underrepresented communities in health care. A third-generation college graduate, she is a two-time alumna of the School and the first African American to earn a PhD in Nursing from Boston College. Hendricks has held influential academic roles, including Dean of Nursing at Tuskegee University, Hampton University and Concordia College Alabama. She served as the Charles W. Barkley Endowed Professor at Auburn University, becoming the first African American tenured as Full Professor in Auburn University’s College of Nursing, and held faculty positions at the University of South Carolina and UAB School of Nursing. Hendricks developed innovative nursing programs, including the first PhD in Nursing in Louisiana, the DNP program at Kentucky State University and helped establish the nursing program at the University of Montevallo. Her research focuses on health promotion among rural and minority populations and spans the southeastern United States and countries such as Liberia, Ghana, Ethiopia and Malawi. Her accolades include the Lillian Holland Harvey Award from the Alabama State Nurses Association, induction as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing and the Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame. She also was honored with the Atlantic Coast Conference UNITE Award in 2023 for her lifelong commitment to racial and social justice and has been inducted into the Tuskegee University School of Nursing Hall of Fame, The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated Regional Hall of Fame and Alabama Zeta Hall of Fame. She was named a UAB School of Nursing Distinguished Alumna in 2007 and Visionary Leader in 2010. She also authored the book, Alabama Notable Nurses.

Phyllis N. Horns, PhD, RN, FAAN (PhD 1980)

Phyllis N. Horns, PhD, RN, FAAN (PhD 1980), is a pioneer in nursing and health sciences education, and health care access across the United States. As Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at East Carolina University from 2009 to 2018, she oversaw the strategic growth and integration of ECU’s major health entities, including the Brody School of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Allied Health Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, and several research institutes focused on heart disease, diabetes and rural health. From 1990 to 2009, she served as Dean of ECU’s College of Nursing. Under her leadership, the school launched its doctoral program and several MSN tracks, becoming a national model for simulation and online learning. Prior to her deanship at ECU, she was Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the UAB School of Nursing. Horns has held influential roles in nursing education and policy, including Chair of the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, President of the Southern Regional Education Board Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing, and Treasurer of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine. Her research has focused on nursing workforce challenges including the nursing shortage; exercise and pregnancy; and policies of nursing doctoral programs and has been published in many venues including Journal of Nursing Outlook, Journal of Professional Nursing and Nursing Leadership Forum. Horns’ honors include induction as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, North Carolina Hospital Association Meritorious Service Award, one of the 100 ECU Incredible Women, and induction into the ECU College of Nursing Hall of Fame. For her service to ECU an annual lectureship within the College of Nursing was established in her honor. She was honored with the UAB School of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017 and named a Visionary Leader in 2010.

Larry G. Hornsby, BSN, BS, CRNA, FAANA (BSN 1981, BS 1985)

Larry G. Hornsby, BSN, BS, CRNA, FAANA (BSN 1981, BS 1985), is known for his groundbreaking work in nurse anesthesia, advancing CRNA autonomy, business innovation and health care policy. He has shaped the profession through leadership, entrepreneurship, advocacy and mentorship. As Past President of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Hornsby championed quality, safety and independence in CRNA practice. He held multiple leadership roles within AANA before becoming President, including serving on the AANA Board of Directors for four years, as Region 7 Director, Vice President and President-Elect, respectively. He also served as Chair of the Commission on Anesthesia Economics and Reimbursement, Chair of the Anesthesia Payment Advisory Panel and chaired the CRNA Political Action Committee for six years. His greatest achievement while with AANA was negotiating the federal supervision opt-out with the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, enabling CRNAs in 25 states to practice without physician supervision—a landmark shift in health care access. In 2013, he received AANA’s highest honor, the Agatha Hodgins Award for Outstanding Accomplishment. Hornsby founded Anesthesia Professionals, Inc., in 1991, one of the first CRNA-owned management groups in Alabama. He also was Partner and Senior Executive Vice President with Amsol, Inc., a North Carolina-based anesthesia management company, was Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Diversified Professionals, Inc. in Baton Rouge, LA, and co-owns Lower Alabama Continuing Education Seminars, Inc., educating CRNAs and students nationwide. He is currently Program Director for the Hornsby Business Institute at Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia. Hornsby serves on the School’s National Advisory Council and was its Distinguished Alumnus in 2016 and a Visionary Leader in 2010.

Wipada Kunaviktikul, PhD, RN, FAAN (PhD 1994)

Wipada Kunaviktikul, PhD, RN, FAAN (PhD 1994), is a nursing leader whose career has shaped nursing education, research, and policy across Asia and beyond. A distinguished alumna of the School, she currently serves as Professor and Vice President in Health Science at Panyahpiwat Institute of Management in Thailand and is Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at Chiang Mai University. Over four decades at Chiang Mai University, Kunaviktikul led transformative initiatives in nursing education, research, and international collaboration. As Dean for 16 years, she expanded undergraduate and graduate programs, strengthened research capacity, and produced generations of nurses who now serve communities across Thailand and globally. She also directed the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Nursing and Midwifery Development. Kunaviktikul’s research in nursing administration, health policy, quality of care, and wellness has been widely published and recognized internationally. Following completion of her PhD at the School, she completed a Takemi research fellowship at the Harvard University School of Public Health. Her honors include induction into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame by Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, received the National Distinguished Professor in Health Science Award, and the Outstanding Professional Women Leaders Award from Thailand’s Federation of Business and Professional Women. She also received national awards, including Honorary Distinguished Nurse Administrators Award, Sri Sangwan National Award for Distinguished Nurse Leader in Policy and an Honorary Doctoral Degree in Nursing from Chiang Mai University. She was honored with the UAB School of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018 and Visionary Leader in 2010. She continues to serve as an ambassador for nursing excellence and reform, inspiring future leaders through her dedication to innovation, equity, and international collaboration.

Martha G. Lavender, PhD, RN, FAAN (MSN 1984, PhD 1988)

Martha G. Lavender, PhD, RN, FAAN (MSN 1984, PhD 1988), is a nationally recognized leader in nursing education, practice and public service, with a career that spans clinical care, academia, emergency preparedness and health care policy, reflecting a deep commitment to advancing nursing practice and shaping the future of health care through education, leadership, and innovation. Lavender serves as a Visiting Professor and founding member of the National Advisory Council. From 2014 to 2019, she was President of Gadsden State Community College, overseeing six campuses and more than 800 employees. She was previously Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Jacksonville State University, where she led a $3.2 million federally funded research initiative on environmental health and developed a population-focused MSN program. She also has held senior positions with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Domestic Preparedness, developing emergency response curricula for health care professionals. Lavender has held national and state leadership roles, including President and Treasurer of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, receiving its highest honor—the Distinguished Professional Service Award. She also has served as President of the Alabama Board of Nursing. Her numerous accolades include induction as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame, named Outstanding Nurse Educator by the Alabama State Nurses Association and received the Alabama League for Nursing’s Excellence in Teaching Award. She has also been honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Gadsden State Alumni Association, named as the Outstanding Administrator by the Chancellor of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. She was named a UAB School of Nursing Visionary Leader in 2010.

Linda D. Norman, DSN, RN, FAAN (DSN 2001)

Linda D. Norman, DSN, RN, FAAN (DSN 2001), is an internationally recognized leader in nursing education whose visionary leadership has transformed academic nursing and advanced the profession. As the eighth Dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, she served from 2013 to 2021 and was named Dean Emerita in recognition of her outstanding contributions. During her 31-year tenure at Vanderbilt, Norman held numerous academic and administrative roles, including Senior Associate Dean of Academics and Valere Potter Menefee Professor of Nursing. She spearheaded innovative curriculum reforms, launched new academic programs, and led a $23.6 million expansion of VUSN’s facilities. She also co-developed a longitudinal curriculum supported by the Josiah Macy Foundation and was one of two nurses on the coordinating team for the first Institute for Healthcare Improvement Interdisciplinary Professional Education Collaborative, and she developed the curriculum and initiated a model partnership nursing program between Vanderbilt University, Lipscomb University, and Fisk University Schools of Nursing. Her collaborative partnership with Fisk University earned her the Trailblazer Award from the National Black Nurses Association. She also received the University of Virginia Distinguished Alumna Award, was honored as UAB School of Nursing Distinguished Alumna in 2022 and named a Visionary Leader in 2010. She also is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Norman has served on numerous boards, including being the first nurse on the Nemours Foundation Board, chairing its Operations, Safety, and Quality committee. She is a board member at large and Vice Chair of the World Pediatrics Executive Committee, the secretary of the Mercy Community Health Clinic Board member and currently the Leah Rose Senior Living Center Board. She served as project evaluation coordinator for the Robert Wood Johnson/Northwest Health Foundation Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future Initiative.

UAB SCHOOL OF NURSING BOARD OF VISITORS LUCKIE LEGACY AWARD

In 2020, during the School’s 70th Anniversary, the Board of Visitors established the Luckie Legacy Award to honor their founder, Robert E. “Bob” Luckie, Jr., and celebrate the positive impact that three generations of Luckie family members have had on the School. In recognition of this family’s significant contributions to the health and well-being of Alabamians through their leadership, service, and ongoing support of UAB School of Nursing students, the Robert E. Luckie Family was named as the inaugural recipient of the award. The Luckie Legacy Award is given on occasion to families, groups or individuals that have made an extraordinary impact on not only the UAB School of Nursing, but also the health and well-being of the greater Birmingham community.

Anita Smith Lunsford

Anita Smith Lunsford is the second recipient to be honored with the UAB School of Nursing Board of Visitors Luckie Legacy Award. One of Alabama’s most influential health journalists and a longtime champion of the School, Lunsford is a founding member of the UAB School of Nursing Board of Visitors, faithfully serving since 1992. Her ties to the School span decades and deans. She has written both of the School’s official history books, documenting its impact and continued leadership in nursing education, practice, and research. Her ongoing relationships with the School’s leadership have offered insight, encouragement and historical perspectives that have helped guide decades of growth and her ability to communicate impact through powerful storytelling has inspired many charitable donations. Lunsford spent 20 years at The Birmingham News, first as medical reporter and then medical editor, where she became a trusted voice translating complex medical and nursing advancements for the public. Her reporting helped shape public understanding of health care and contributed to major institutional developments, including the creation of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, inspired by her book on Governor Lurleen Wallace’s cancer journey. She has authored commissioned histories for several major institutions, including Lloyd Noland Hospital, Carraway Methodist Medical Center, Village at Cook Springs and the Lakeshore Foundation. Her consulting firm, Anita Smith and Company, Inc., specializes in health and business writing, documenting the state’s health care transformation and amplifying the voices of nurses, physicians and public health leaders. Lunsford’s contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the DL Cannon Medical Writing Award from MASA, Distinguished Alumna honors from the University of Alabama, and induction as the first journalist into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame. She has also served on advisory boards for the NIH, contributing to national health care strategy and communications.

To purchase tickets or sponsorships for the 75th Diamond Anniversary Gala, presented by the Alabama Nurses Foundation, or to make a donation toward endowed scholarships, visit https://go.uab.edu/75th-gala. Tickets are available for purchase through Wednesday, Oct. 1.