Baylor University Undergraduate Student Receives National "Student Nurse of the Year" Award

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Baylor University nursing student, Stephanie Lewis, received the "Student Nurse of the Year" award from the National Black Nurses Association Inc. on Sept. 14, 2010, at Baylor's Louise Herrington School of Nursing in Dallas, TX.

Lewis was honored by the NBNA on August 6, 2010 during the annual convention in San Diego, CA; however, she was unable to attend.

When asked why she was unable to attend, Lewis said, "The week of the conference I was a nurse extern at one of the camps TSRHC sponsored for children with arthritis at Camp John Marc of Meridian, TX- Camp Joint Adventure. I also participated in a mission trip with the church I attend to Guyana (South America). At this mission trip I assisted in presenting information about sexual health and the consequences of abortion to local teenagers and adults."

Lewis is an active member of the Metroplex chapter of the NBNA (MBNA) and has previously been awarded a scholarship from this organization as well.

"Stephanie has been very active and involved here at the School of Nursing. However, in spite of her busy schedule, she also remains involved in her church and other organizations such as MBNA. We are very proud of her," said Patricia Davis, Director of Student Initiatives at Baylor's Louise Herrington School of Nursing.

The NBNA was organized in 1971 and now represent 150,000 African American registered nurses, licensed vocational/practical nurses, nursing students and retired nurses from the United States, Easter Caribbean and Africa, with 79 chartered chapters in 34 states.

The NBNA's mission is "to provide a forum for collective action by African American nurses to investigate, define and determine what the health care needs of African Americans are and to implement change to make available to African Americans and other minorities health care commensurate with that of the larger society."

Lewis is the first student in Baylor University history to receive this prestigious award. She was surprised with this award during the last 20 minutes of one of her classes, surrounded by her peers and mentors.

Even in the midst of all her success, Lewis remains humble.

"I'm not quite sure the reality has hit me yet. I applied for the award under the urging of the local chapter president, put my best foot forward in the application and God provided the increase. I often feel unworthy, but I know God has allowed me to do and experience a lot in my undergraduate career," said Lewis.

For more information on the NBNA, visit their website www.nbna.org.

by Alison Higgins, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805