By Pareasa Rahimi

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing faculty, staff and students were recognized for their contributions to nursing education, teamwork, leadership and dedication at the School’s annual State of the School. See the full gallery of the award recipients.

Nancy Smith Award for Excellence in Teaching

Assistant Professor Tracie White, DNP, CRNP, ACNP‐BC, CNOR, CRNFA, CHSE (MSN 2010, DNP 2017), and Assistant Professor Hiboombe Haamankuli, DNP, CRNP, ACNP-BC (MSN 2010, DNP 2016), are the recipients of the Nancy Smith Award for Excellence in Teaching.

This award, established in 2016, applauds excellence and professionalism in teaching and honors the legacy of Nancy Smith, who began her career in the School as a nursing associate in 1978. She returned in 2008 after an accomplished clinical career and raising three daughters to serve as an instructor in the School’s Simulation and Skills Labs.

Nancy Smith Award for Excellence in Learning

Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia Pathway alumna Angeleah Syers, DNP, CRNA (DNP 2025), and Master of Science in Nursing student Antonio L.C. McBeth, RN, CCRN, received the Nancy Smith Award for Excellence in Learning, rewarding hard work and perseverance in a student’s pursuit to become a nurse.

Florence Nightingale Award for Scholarly Work

Assistant Professor Rachel Wells, PhD, RN (MSN 2009, PhD 2019), and PhD student Madison Finch, BSN, RN (BSN 2022), are the recipients of the Florence Nightingale Award for Scholarly Work. Established in 2019 through the generosity of the Brock and MacKay families, the award provides grants to support impactful scholarly and outreach efforts that address critical health issues in vulnerable communities.

Inaugural Daisy Foundation Awards at the UAB School of Nursing

The School awarded three Daisy Foundation Extraordinary Nurse Educator Awards to Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Accelerated Master's in Nursing Pathway Kristin Ashley, PhD, RN, CNE (MSN 2015, PhD 2022); Assistant Professor Felecia Brown, DNP, CNM, WHNP‐BC, PMHNP‐BC, CNE; and Associate Professor Gregory Eagerton, DNP, RN, NEA‐BC (BSN 1985, MSN 1991).

The Daisy Foundation Extraordinary Nursing Student Awards are presented to students in the School’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing, MSN, DNP and PhD programs for their commitment to critical skill and compassionate patient care. BSN alumnus Joseph Bowen, BSN, RN (BSN 2025), MSN student Morgan Sigler, Nurse Executive DNP Pathway alumna Stephanie McDonald, DNP, RN (DNP 2024), and PhD student Fiona Agbor Besem Atem, MSN, were this year’s recipients.

Academic Nursing Early Career Teaching Award

Instructor Rebekah Day, DNP, CRNP, AGACNP‐BC (MSN 2015, DNP 2024), is the recipient of the Academic Nursing Early Career Teaching Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to nursing education through innovative and creative teaching methods, commitment to competency-based education and dedication to student success.

Teaching Award for Adjunct Faculty

Adjunct Instructor Steve Parsons, MSN, RN, CNL, CNOR, CRNFA (MSN 2017), is the recipient of the Teaching Award for Adjunct Faculty, honored for his dedication, professionalism, innovative teaching methods, and commitment to student success and the educational mission School.

Teaching Award in Innovation in Simulation Instruction

Assistant Professor Tracie White, DNP, CRNP, ACNP‐BC, CNOR, CRNFA, CHSE (MSN 2010, DNP 2017), is the recipient of the Teaching Award in Innovation in Simulation Instruction.

Teaching Award for Innovation in Didactic Instruction

Instructor Amanda Safford, DNP, RN, is the recipient of the Teaching Award for Innovation in Didactic Instruction. Safford is recognized for her dedication to enhancing student learning through innovative methods, particularly her use of an e-glass board in teaching Pathophysiology and her commitment to making complex content relatable and accessible.

Teaching Award for Innovation in Clinical Instruction

Assistant Professor Hiboombe Haamankuli, DNP, CRNP, ACNP-BC (MSN 2010, DNP 2016); Assistant Professor Sabrina Kopf, DNP, CRNP, ACNP‐BC (BSN 2009, DNP 2017); and Assistant Professor Somali Nguyen, DNP, CRNP, AGACNP‐BC (BSN 2010, MSN 2014, DNP 2019); are the recipients of the Teaching Award for Innovation in Clinical Instruction. They are recognized for developing the School’s inaugural “Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Games,” a gamified clinical education initiative that significantly enhanced student engagement, knowledge retention and satisfaction among students.

Staff Award for “Knocking it Out of the Park”

Program Manager I Lisa Theus is the recipient of the Staff Award for “Knocking it Out of the Park.” She is recognized for demonstrating exceptional teamwork, dedication and leadership.

Staff Award for Innovation and Creativity

Manager of Clinical Simulation Operations Joey Hall is the recipient of the Staff Award for Innovation and Creativity. This recognition reflects his innovative contributions to simulation-based education through creative technology solutions, 3D-printed teaching tools and enhancements that elevated student learning and operational effectiveness.

Unsung Hero Award

Project Administrator James Carr is the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award, recognizing his caring nature, commitment to excellence and high-quality service.

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Practice

Assistant Professor Brenda Mayfield, DNP, CRNP, PMHNP‐BC (MSN 2018, DNP 2022), is the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Practice. This award celebrates a School of Nursing faculty member who has shown exceptional dedication to teamwork, both within and across disciplines, and has fostered a culture of collegiality in practice. Recipients of this award are recognized for embodying the values of cooperation, innovation, mentorship and a shared vision, significantly advancing the School’s service mission through practice.

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research Collaboration

University Professor David Vance, PhD, MGS, FAAN, is the recipient of the inaugural Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research Collaboration Award. This award recognizes and celebrates the spirit of teamwork, mentorship and shared vision in research. This award honors a ranked faculty member who exemplifies the highest standards of cooperation, intra- and inter-disciplinary collaboration and collegiality in research.

Marisa Wilson Courage to Lead Award

Assistant Professor Tara Wood, DNP, CRNP, NNP‐BC (MSN 2011, DNP 2017), is the recipient of the Marisa Wilson Courage to Lead Award for her optimism, empathy and resilience. This award is named in honor of late Dr. Wilson, who joined the School’s faculty in 2015 as Associate Professor and Specialty Track Coordinator of the MSN Nursing Informatics Specialty Track, and served as Interim Chair of the Department of Family, Community and Health Systems from 2019 to 2022, as well as Director of the Nursing Health Systems Leadership Pathway from 2019 until her death on January 5, 2024.