2024 Faculty and Staff Honors Convocation
Faculty, staff, and students filled the Assembly Hall at Baptist Health Sciences University on March 4 for the 2024 Faculty & Staff Honors Convocation. The ceremony is held annually to recognize the outstanding achievements of faculty and staff in scholarly, professional, and community service areas.
BHSU President, Dr. Hampton Hopkins, welcomed and presided over the event. This year’s featured speaker for the convocation was the 2023 Rose Temple Distinguished Faculty recipient, Dr. Hazel Aberdeen. Followed by special speakers highlighting areas of accomplishments in scholarship, research, publications, community and professional service. Faculty and staff who had completed either a doctorate or a master’s degree were recognized along with those receiving promotions in the past year.
President Dr. Hampton Hopkins had the honor of announcing and congratulating Dr. Briana Jegier, Chair and Associate Professor of Health Administration, Public Health and the Community Health Worker program, and Co-chair of BHSU HealthCORE, as the 2024 Rose Temple Distinguished Faculty recipient and Linda Polk, Administrative Assistant, as the 2024 Rose Temple Distinguished Staff recipient.
Adjunct Health Administration Instructor Vernita Thornton was recognized as the 2024 Rose Temple Distinguished Adjunct of the Year. She was honored for being an exemplar of the university's Christian purpose, as well as an innovator in the classroom, and a significant contributor in the Memphis community.
Left to Right: Dr. Briana Jegier, Linda Polk, Vernita Thornton.
Dr. Ivy Anderson, Assistant Professor of Nursing, was congratulated as the 2023 DAISY Award recipient by Dr. Cathy Stepter, Dean of Nursing. This award was created in 1999 by the family of Patrick Barnes, who wanted to thank nurses everywhere by establishing a recognition program. The DAISY award, which stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, was established in Patrick's memory. The family's goal was to recognize nurses for their compassion and kindness, as well as their clinical skill. They wanted to express their gratitude for the gifts nurses provide to their patients and families daily. The organization grew from this foundation to offer the Faculty DAISY Award, which honors faculty for their dedication and motivation to students and the nursing profession.
Left to Right: Dr. Cathy Stepter, Dr. Ivy Anderson.
These are the highest honors at the University, and the criteria for this peer-nominated achievement are as follows:
- Personifies the Christian Mission of the University.
- Contributes to the University through professional, community, or faith-based achievement or recognition.
- Demonstrates high level of teaching effectiveness.
- Demonstrates collaboration and teamwork.