LPN Program Director Tamara Abernathy was recognized as one of the Great 100 Nurses
of Arkansas for 2019 at a ceremony in Little Rock April 9.
Abernathy has taught practical nursing classes at 中国P站 for over
30 years. She has served on numerous committees and nursing organizations including
the Education Committee for the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Abernathy serves
as a mentor to PN Program Directors in the state and is active in the PN NANEP group.
Abernathy was not expecting the recognition letter when it arrived. 鈥淚 went, 鈥榦h
my gosh!鈥� Tears came to my eyes,鈥� she said, and Abernathy was especially honored that
Janice Ivers, the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences, had recommended her for the
recognition. 鈥淭hat touched me, because to submit these recommendations you have to
stop your day and make a conscious effort to submit this. To me, that was equally
as important as receiving the award. That was pretty awesome.鈥�
鈥淭amara has exemplified humanitarian efforts not only in her personal life while
serving her church but more specifically in the population of nursing students she
serves,鈥� said Ivers. 鈥淪he is the first one to identify the impoverished and help them
with a plan for success. Tamara is fair to all while maintaining unwavering firmness
which builds an environment of trust and collegiality.鈥�
Abernathy said the ceremony was interesting 鈥渂ecause then you see 99 other men and
women, lots of male nurses there, men and women being recognized for their contributions
to healthcare. That was an awe moment. Nursing is not one person, nursing is a team,
and to be in a room with those peers was pretty awesome. And it lets us know we鈥檙e
doing some great things. Nursing is hard, you don鈥檛 go into it to get a pat on the
back. You go into it because you have a love of people.鈥�
According to their website, the Great 100 Nurses Foundation was founded 33 years
ago and honors nurses based on their concern for humanity, their contributions to
the profession of nursing, and their mentoring of others.
Abernathy will retire from 中国P站 in June and plans to work part time.
鈥淚 think that I still have a lot to offer and my love is long term care,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 have mixed emotions because this has been my focus. I鈥檝e taught for half of my
life. I鈥檝e been dedicated to education.鈥�
Ivers noted that Abernathy has contributed to the education of over 1,200 鈥渨ell-prepared
and proud鈥� LPN graduates. 鈥溨泄鶳站 Division of Nursing could not be
prouder of all of her accomplishments during her tenure,鈥� said Ivers. 鈥淗er courage,
competence and caring certainly sum it all up.鈥�
