PUC's dean earns leadership award

[cougarnurse]

Congrats! PUC's dean of nursing earns leadership award :: Neighbors :: Post-Tribune

Peggy Gerard recently received a national award for her work in the nursing field.

Gerard, the dean of Purdue University Calumet's School of Nursing, was honored with the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Brenda Lyon Leadership Award at the NACNS national conference last month.

"I am very honored to be recognized with this award," Gerard, 57, said. "I truly have enjoyed every minute of my work with NACNS."

She said the group has given her the chance to interact with national leaders in the nursing profession.

"It has provided a wonderful learning and growth opportunity for me and for other faculty in our School of Nursing," she said.

Gerard's path to a nursing career began many years ago, with her mother as the motivator.

"My mother was a nurse and shared many of her experiences with me while I was growing up," she said. "I was always impressed by her knowledge of health and illness, and her compassion for the patients she took care of in the hospital."

Gerard said she didn't expect a career in education.

"It has really turned out to be much more than I envisioned it would," she said. "My long-term goal was to work as a critical-care nurse and to eventually obtain my master's degree and work as a critical-care clinical nurse specialist.

"I never thought I would teach nursing or serve as an officer in a national organization. That's the wonderful thing about a career in nursing; it can take you to many different places."

The Brenda Lyon Leadership Award, which began in 2004, is given to a person who has attained national recognition as a clinical nurse specialist leader, has helped improve health-care delivery and has helped mentor others to become successful leaders, according to Christine Carson-Filipovich, CEO of NACNS.

"Ms. Gerard was chosen for her leadership (over many years) in developing and strengthening NACNS programs and services, as well as her contributions as treasurer, which enhanced the board's ability to provide fiscal oversight," Carson-Filipovich said.

Dr. Brenda Lyon is a founder of the group and a longtime leader in the clinical nurse specialists world, she added.

Gerard has served NACNS in many capacities.

"I've held multiple positions, also co-chairing the NACNS Education Committee with Dr. Jane Walker from Purdue Calumet for several years, and serving as treasurer of NACNS for four years and the Clinical Nurse Specialist Foundation for two years," she said.

Gerard has been a member of the PUC faculty for 27 years. She has been dean since 2002 and served as PUC's interim vice chancellor for academic affairs for six months last year.

Gerard earned undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Rush University College of Nursing in Chicago, and has a master's in nursing from the University of Illinois. Her research interests include health promotion and health-care decision-making.