SU nursing professor receives national lifetime achievement award

Wanda Spurlock, professor, School of Nursing and Allied Health, Southern University Baton Rouge, received the National Black Nurses Association's (NBNA) Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented to Spurlock by NBNA Acadiana Chapter, Saturday, January 14, 2017, in conjunction with the organization's President's Scholarship Gala held at the Ramada Inn Convention Center in Lafayette.

This award honors a nurse exemplifying lifelong leadership involvement in nursing in various capacities.

"It is indeed an honor for my sustained body of contributions to the field of nursing to be recognized through this award. I view this award as an important milestone along my journey and professional commitment to improve the quality of life for persons with Alzheimer's disease while continuing to raise awareness, especially among the African American population," said Spurlock.

Spurlock, a newly inducted fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and a fellow of the National Gerontological Nursing Association, has received numerous awards and honors throughout her 40-year tenure as a registered nurse. She is recognized nationally for her expertise in dementia care and gerontological nursing leadership.

Spurlock is also recognized as an Excellence in Care Specialist through the Alzheimer's Foundation of America and is a certified TimeSlips Facilitator, a creative story telling process for persons with dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment.

The National Black Nurses Association, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1972 and today represents 150,000 registered nurses, licensed vocational/practical nurses, nursing students and retired nurses. Members are from the United States, Eastern Caribbean, and Africa, with 92 chartered chapters, in 35 states. The mission of NBNA is "to represent and provide a forum for Black nurses to advocate and implement strategies to ensure access to the highest quality of healthcare for persons of color."