College of Nursing presents teaching, research, service awards

The UNMC College of Nursing recently awarded excellence in teaching, research and professional service awards. Award recipients were Lynne Farr, Ph.D., Ada M. Lindsey, Ph.D., and Barbara Piper, D.N.Sc.

Dr. Farr, professor of adult health and illness, received the Rosalee C. Yeaworth Teaching Excellence Award. Established in 1995, the award is given to a faculty member who inspires learning, has personal and professional integrity and creates a caring learning environment that allows application of new knowledge and a lasting impact on the student.

Lynne Farr, Ph.D.

“Apparently, some students and faculty members got together and nominated me; I was totally floored,” Dr. Farr said.

Her nominators said her track record as an educator demonstrates an individual who excels as a teacher; is respected for her current knowledge, skills and abilities; and remains a mentor to students even after graduation. She also is noted for motivating and encouraging students. Dr. Farr has been at UNMC since 1979 and will retire in December.

Dr. Lindsey, former dean and professor of nursing at UNMC from 1995 to 2003, received the Pennie Z. Davis Faculty Research Award. This year’s award, which alternates between an established researcher and a new researcher, focused on an established researcher who has a sustained contribution of an ongoing program of research that has enhanced the science and practice of nursing.

Ada M. Lindsey, Ph.D.

Dr. Lindsey received significant extramural funding for research and has participated in more than 30 funded research studies. Since 1978, Dr. Lindsey has published more than 50 professional journal articles, written more than 35 book chapters and served on the Editorial Boards of numerous nursing research journals.

Dr. Piper, associate professor of adult health and illness, received the Ada M. Lindsey Professional Service Award. The award alternates between excellence in clinical practice and professional service. This year, it focused on professional service.
“This award was particularly meaningful to me because the competition was highly competitive,” Dr. Piper said. “It’s nice to have what I’ve done over my career recognized by the college.”

Barbara Piper, D.N.Sc.

Dr. Piper has been at UNMC since 1996. During that time, her nominators said, she has distinguished herself, the college, the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, and the university with her internationally acclaimed, sustained contributions to research, clinical practice and policy regarding control of cancer-related fatigue. Her Piper Fatigue Scale is the most widely used instrument of its kind worldwide.

Dr. Piper has known Dr. Lindsey since 1979, when Dr. Lindsey was the department chair at the University of California, San Francisco. “She chaired my dissertation and we collaborated on research of cancer cachexia in lung cancer patients,” Dr. Piper said. “To receive an award that she established in her name meant a great deal to me.”