Kerry Myers, MSN, RN, Associate Lecturer in Nursing at Kent State University at Geauga, was nominated for the national 2021 DAISY Faculty Award and received an honorable mention for this honor during Kent State’s Fall BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) Convocation in December 2021.
The DAISY Foundation developed this program to provide colleges and schools of nursing a national recognition program to show appreciation to faculty for their commitment and inspirational influence on their nursing students.
Faculty members nominated for The DAISY Faculty Award are those who have made an impact on their students, the students’ future patients, and the nursing profession. They consistently demonstrate excellence in the classroom and in their clinical expertise and provide outstanding leadership to students and in the healthcare community.
Receiving an honorable mention for the esteemed award “demonstrates Kerry’s passion and dedication for teaching nursing students,” says Melissa Owen, MSN, RN, lecturer and BSN program coordinator for Kent State Geauga.
“Kerry spends countless hours mentoring students, both in and out of the classroom. Students feel comfortable working with Kerry.”
Students, faculty and staff members may nominate a deserving nursing faculty member for this annual award. Myers was likely nominated for the DAISY Award by a student.
Unsolicited student comments on the Rate My Professors website demonstrate Myers’ positive impact in the classroom. Among high ratings and several comments, one student shares, “Kerry is the mom of the nursing program. She wants to see all her students succeed and will help you in doing so. Amazing clinical instructor as well.”
Another student comments: “Best professor I have ever had. Thorough, will stay extra time to help you. Clear concise test questions, solid expectations throughout the course.”
Owen adds that the DAISY recognition demonstrates that students are satisfied with the education, training and mentoring Myers provides. “It means she tailors her teaching to meet the needs of individual students with different learning needs and circumstances. It signifies they appreciate her commitment to them as individuals and future nurses and want to model themselves after her and her chosen career.”
Myers began teaching at Kent State Geauga in August 2013 as a lecturer. In 2019, she was promoted to associate lecturer. Myers plays an active role in learning experiences related to lab and patient simulation. She is the advisor for the Geauga Student Nurse Association and recently mentored a student during the pandemic.
She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Kent State University and is an Oncology Certified Nurse through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. Prior to obtaining her master’s degree, Myers was a registered nurse in an oncology, hematology and bone marrow transplant unit for 14 years.
Twenty nurse educators were nominated for this national award from among Kent State faculty, including an additional Kent State Geauga faculty member, Professor James Blackwell, MSN, RN, CCRN-K.
The 2021 DAISY Faculty Award Winner was Taryn Burhanna, MSN, APRN, NP-C, a lecturer and clinical instructor at Kent State University in Kent. In addition to Myers, an honorable mention went to Krista Hawkins, MSN, RN, College of Nursing Lecturer with the Kent State Salem College of Nursing.