In recognition of your
tireless work on behalf of nurses throughout the state of
Colorado, it is our great pleasure to inform you that the
Awards Committee of the University of Colorado School of Nursing
Alumni Association has chosen to honor you and your work with
a Special Commendation for your efforts in addressing the
workforce issues facing nurses and nursing education in our
state.
Through your dedicated
efforts to establish the Colorado Center of Nursing Excellence,
your extraordinary efforts to secure funding for the Center,
your vision in partnering with likeminded individuals in state
and regional government, and your efforts in supporting nursing
research, evidence based practice, nurse retention, use of
simulation for teaching nurses, and your commitment to expanding
the numbers of nursing faculty are not only laudable but serve
as a beacon to other individuals hoping to enable nurses to
meet the healthcare needs of the citizens of Colorado. Your
political acumen in positioning the Center as neutral and
nonbiased has enabled you to bring nursing and healthcare
leaders together to discuss nursing shortage issues and discover
solutions to these increasingly intense problems. It is your
belief that the highest quality of healthcare begins with
knowledgeable, skilled, compassionate nurses which enables
you to negotiate funding support for better education, improved
work environments and adequate numbers of nurses to provide
care for the people of Colorado.
Linda
F. Smith, RN, MSN, MSHA (MS '89) receives the Distinguished
Alumna Award.