The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing kicked-off its year-long celebration of its 70th anniversary February 11, as well as its celebration of the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
Since 1950, the UAB School of Nursing has advanced health care by creating compassionate, highly educated nurse leaders at its campuses in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. While the School
celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, its rich history of innovation in education, research and practice, dates back 115 years to its early roots in nursing diploma programs at Hillman Hospital, Jefferson Hospital, Jefferson-Hillman Hospital and University Hospital School of Nursing.
"As we enter the 70th year of the UAB School of Nursing, we reflect on our past accomplishments and the foundations which have moved the School forward though our programs to improve access and health care in Alabama and across the globe," said Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair in Nursing Doreen C. Harper, PhD, RN, FAAN. “As we look toward the future of nursing education, practice and research, it is a future of tremendous opportunity for our School to leverage our expertise to provide vital communication, technology and human touch necessary for the frontiers in medicine and health care.
“Our vision for the future aligns with UAB, its expanding Academic Health System and our local and global partners to improve health, health status indicators and care quality for aging, maternal-child and other vulnerable populations while building a resilient, highly educated and competent nursing workforce for generations to come.”
Throughout 2020, the School will host celebrations that highlight the accomplishments of faculty, students and alumni, as well as the importance and impact of the nursing profession, as part of the year of Year of the Nurse and Midwife. These events include an alumni gathering at the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) conference in March; Nurses Week, Florence Nightingale’s 200th Birthday, Birmingham Nurses Night Out and International Year of the Nurse & Midwife Celebration in May; and a reception at the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) conference in June. This all culminates in October with a weekend-long 70th Anniversary Celebration.
Click here for the complete calendar of events.
In addition a new podcast, "Legacy of Leadership: 70 years of UAB School of Nursing,” will release two episodes a month focusing on the faculty, staff, students, alumni and other constituents of yesterday and today who have helped the School reach some of its greatest achievements or are helping forge the future of nursing at UAB. The School also is re-launching its blog, which will feature Q&A's
with faculty and alumni who exemplify the School's dedication to innovation, research, education and community, throughout the year.
"We hope you will join us at events through the year, share your stories and accomplishments, and continue to support the School as we forge the future of nursing and nursing education," Harper added.
