FOR RELEASE: Thursday, November 09, 2006
Nursing Instructor Named Nurse Practitioner of Year
Wendy Sisson
Wendy Sisson, clinical instructor in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, received the nurse practitioner of the year award at the Arkansas Nurses Association Advanced Practice Nursing conference Nov. 4-5 in Little Rock.
Sisson began teaching health assessment, geriatrics and psychiatric nursing at the University of Arkansas this fall. She has a master of nursing science degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Florida International University, from which she graduated Magna Cum Laude; and an associate of science degree from Western Kentucky University.
The mission of the Arkansas Nurses Association, a state professional nursing organization, is to promote professional development, foster high standards of nursing practice and advocate for professional nurses. The association’s Advanced Practice Nurse Council represents more than 600 advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists.
The council presents the nurse practitioner of the year award to an advanced practice nurse in recognition of excellence in care and outstanding contributions to practice.
Tom Kippenbrock, professor and director of the UA nursing school, described Sisson as an outstanding nurse and educator.
“She exemplifies the role of the advanced practice nurse, and the school has truly benefited by having nurse practitioners like Mrs. Sisson teaching nursing students,” Kippenbrock said. “The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing congratulates her for receiving this esteemed award.”
Sisson previously taught in the UAMS nurse practitioner program at its Area Health Education Center-Northwest in Fayetteville and has worked as a family nurse practitioner at Northwest Family Medical Center in Springdale. She chaired the statewide AHEC Nursing Education Council the past two years and was Arkansas’ representative for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners from 2002 to 2004. She was president of the Northwest Arkansas Advanced Practice Nurses Alliance from 2001 to 2005.
Sisson has been active with the state Advanced Practice Nurse Council in planning conferences and on various legislative task forces to protect and promote advanced nursing practice.
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Contact:
Heidi Stambuck, director of communications
College of Education and Health Professions
(479) 575-3138, stambuck@uark.edu