Alumni Update

Picture this - you, a nurse, are traveling by airplane from one major city with plans to arrive three hours later to another major city. You’ve boarded the aircraft and you are comfortably tucked in the middle seat. Thirty minutes into the flight experience, after departure, there is a medical emergency onboard. The flight attendant’s voice is heard over the PA system; she calls for a nurse or physician to volunteer. In this instance, what would you do?

This was a very recent experience for me. Without hesitation, I stepped up, demonstrated leadership and provided care and comfort for the patient during the entire flight. Moments after I volunteered myself, a medical doctor also came forward from several rows behind. Together, we put the patient’s needs and comfort first. After we landed a few hours later, a random passenger approached me and thanked me for providing “compassionate care”. I am confident that any UMMC SON alumnus, put in this same position, would respond in a similar way.

As Alumni Board President, I am encouraged to know that our school of nursing is successful in achieving its mission to develop nurse leaders and improve health within and beyond Mississippi through excellence in education, research, practice and service. UMMC SON Alumni continue to demonstrate excellence and leadership within our respective organizations and specialty areas. We see this demonstrated in many ways through the years, including the annual programs to recognize the Alumnus of the Year. This year, the Alumni board received a record high number of nominations for Alumnus of the Year, the most received since inception. Each of the nominees were stellar and deserving of the recognition. However, the selected Alumnus is a standout leader and a true example of the many professional opportunities available (and afforded) to nurses within Mississippi and beyond. We will announce and honor our Alumnus of the Year during our 2020 nurses’ week celebration, followed by a spotlight on our UMMC SON website and other media outlets. More details will follow on that.

During last fall’s SON Alumni Chapter Board meeting, we welcomed recently appointed Dean Julie Sanford. We are so excited about Dr. Sanford’s leadership and delighted she has chosen to lead our team. We also extended our warmest, heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Mary Stewart for serving as interim dean. Additionally, we welcomed our newest board members: Kourtland Adams, Michael Adcock, Jim Miller and Dr. Mary Stewart. They each will serve a three-year term and join our current board members: Amy Carroll, Dr. Sonja Fuqua, Dr. Michelle Goreth, Pam Farris, Dr. Eloise Lopez-Lambert, Dr. Lishia Lee, Michael Parnell (President Elect), Hollis “Tripp” Purviance and Monica White.

I am also very proud to announce that the SON Alumni Chapter Board, for the first time, reached 100% participation in the way of philanthropic contributions! Thank you for your generosity of time, service, monetary donations, engagement and leadership.

This is “The Year of the Nurse”, a designation set forth by the World Health Organization and supported by the American Nurses Association. Because of this strategic focus on a world stage, there will be a lot of attention given to our nursing profession. As alumni, we can leverage this opportunity by demonstrating excellence in each of our respective roles; thereby, increasing our “positive” impact on the lives and health of Mississippians and beyond. When we do this, we will contribute to the number one ranking, reported by Gallup for the 17th consecutive year, that the nursing profession is the most trusted profession in the U.S.

So, how can you advance UMMC SON’s important work? There are numerous ways alumni can increase involvement. For example, alumni may serve as a board member, be a guest speaker, support the school through financial giving to the Guardian Society, and/or attend alumni sponsored events. I hope you will join us at our alumni event during the annual Eliza Pillars meeting on Friday, May 1, 2020 and that you will take part in the upcoming alumni activities planned during Nurses’ Week on Thursday, May 7, 2020. In addition, remember there is no additional cost to become an active alumnus. Membership in the nursing alumni chapter is FREE! Feel free to contact me directly or the Office of Alumni Affairs if you are interested in active involvement. For ongoing updates, visit websites UMMC SON, UMMC Alumni Affairs and/or follow us on Facebook (University of Mississippi School of Nursing and UMMC Alumni Affairs). Finally, to update your contact information, please email alumni@umc.edu or call the alumni office at 601-984-1145.

I look forward to collaborating with you in support of our prestigious school.

Best regards,

Tonya Moore, PhD, RN
Nursing Alumni Board President, 2019–2021
Class of ’96 (BSN) & ’05 (MSN)
tmoore2@umc.edu
601.815.7987