TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing honored a nurse who has devoted her professional life to caring for others, including the countless patients she’s treated at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tuscaloosa during her more than 25 years of VA service.
The College awarded Penny H. Jeffers, nurse executive at the VA Medical Center, with its Janet S. Awtrey Distinguished Nursing Leader award.
“Despite her awesome responsibilities at the VA Medical Center, Penny has been an adjunct clinical professor with our College since 1983,” said Dr. Sara Barger, dean of the UA Capstone College of Nursing. “When we were considering developing a graduate program in case management, it was Penny who encouraged us. She is a nursing professional of the highest caliber, a valued colleague and a true friend of the Capstone College of Nursing.”
In her position at the VA Medical Center, Jeffers is responsible for all areas of nursing practice and standards and is a member of the VA’s Executive Management Team that develops goals, plans budgets and makes policy impacting the Medical Center’s overall operations. Jeffers also collaborates with executives in strategic planning efforts of the Mental Health Service Line, a network of Veterans Health Administration health services in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.
Jeffers serves on the steering committee for the UA College of Continuing Studies’ psychiatric nursing program. She also co-facilitated a multiple sclerosis self-help group in Tuscaloosa for seven years
Jeffers, who earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from UA and a master’s from UAB, is licensed by the Alabama Board of Nursing and dually certified as a Clinical Specialist in Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing and in Nursing Administration, Advanced, by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
The College recognized Jeffers as part of UA’s annual Honors Week activities. Throughout the week, scholarship and leadership among UA students and faculty are honored.
Contact
Chris Bryant, Assistant Director of Media Relations, (205) 348-8323