Kent State University College of Nursing faculty member Yvonne Smith was awarded the 2013 Excellence in Political Action Award by the Ohio Nurses Association. Smith was recognized for outstanding leadership and participation in political action.
“I am honored to be selected for this award,” says Smith. “One of the most significant acknowledgments of our work is to receive recognition from our colleagues.”
The Ohio Nurses Association calls for award nominations every two years, and Smith was nominated by colleagues in her district. The nominee must demonstrate commitment to achieving nursing goals through involvement in political activity and the ability to involve peers in political action, educate other nurses about the role of politics in nursing, promote nurses serving in elected and appointed offices, demonstrate professional qualities in nursing and be an active member of the Health Policy Council or an Ohio Nurses Association legislative liaison program.
To fulfill the criteria, Smith serves on the Nurses Day at the statehouse planning committee and served a five-year term on the Ohio Board of Nursing. At Kent State, she teaches health policy to graduate-level nursing students and a second online health policy course for RN/B.S.N. students. Smith also is a guest speaker in other local nursing programs, including Malone University’s College of Nursing.
In addition to these accomplishments, Smith has received many honors, including Outstanding Contribution to Nursing Award from the Stark Carroll District Nurses Association in 2006, Excellence in Nursing Education Award from the Ohio Nurses Association in 2003, induction into the Cornelius Leadership Congress from the Ohio Nurses Association in 2001, the Dorothy A. Cornelius Award from the Ohio Nurses Association in 1999, Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award from Sigma Theta Tau Delta Omega Chapter in 1999, Faculty Recognition Award from the Ohio Nurses Association in 1998 and the Outstanding Nurse of the Year for Education from Stark Carroll District Nurses Association in 1995.
“This award provides recognition for the work I have done and demonstrates to my students that I practice what I teach,” says Smith.
For more information about Kent State’s College of Nursing, visit www.kent.edu/nursing.