Seven University of Maryland School of Nursing Faculty Members Recognized for Excellence as Academic Nurse Educators

Baltimore, Md. – Seven University of Maryland School of Nursing faculty members have been recognized with Academic Nurse Educator Certification (ANEC) Awards from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) through the Nurse Support Program (NSP) II.

The faculty were each awarded the maximum amount of $5,000 for demonstrating excellence as an academic nurse educator through achieving the National League for Nursing’s Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential, either through initial certification or recertification. The faculty are:

• Jennifer Fitzgerald, DNP ’15, MS ’00, NNP-BC, CNE, assistant professor and director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Neonatal Nurse Practitioner specialty
• Maranda Jackson-Parkin, PhD ’13, MS ’06, CRNP-BC, ACNP, CCNS, CCRN-K, CNE, assistant professor
• Tabitha Legambi, DNP '19, BSN '02, RN, CEN, CNE, assistant professor and vice chair, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health
• Regina Phillips, PhD, MS ’79, RN, CNE, assistant professor
• Kaitlin Shapelow, MS '13, CRNP, AGNP-PC, CNE, clinical instructor
• Lyn Starrs-Zorn, PhD, CRNP (A/AC), CWS, CNOR, CNE, CNE assistant professor
• Marleen Thornton, PhD, RN, CNE, associate professor

The CNE credential establishes nursing education as a specialty area of practice and creates a means for faculty to demonstrate their expertise in this role. It communicates to students, peers, and the academic and health care communities that the highest standards of excellence are being met. By becoming credentialed as a CNE, faculty serve as leaders and role models.

“We are very grateful for the generous support provided to our nurse faculty through the Academic Nurse Educator Certification Awards offered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s Nurse Support Program II,” said Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD '11, MS '05, BSN '04, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “This award program encourages nurse faculty to achieve or maintain the National League of Nursing Certified Nurse Educator credential. The study and preparation that goes into achieving or maintaining the CNE designation speaks to the deep commitment to teaching excellence evidenced by these faculty members. Among this year’s awardees we had four individuals receiving the CNE credential for the first time and three individuals renewing their certification. I congratulate each of them on their accomplishment.”

Developed under the NSP II, which is funded by the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by MHEC, the ANEC award program recognizes professionalism in support of ongoing faculty development requirements necessary to maintain the CNE credential. The award is intended to reinforce the use of the CNE as one measurement of excellence in nursing programs and to support the retention of outstanding academic educators.

The award funds may be used to supplement the awardee’s salary; to pay for activities for professional development, including conference fees, travel, and expenses for speaking engagements; to pay professional dues, CNE examination fees, and continuing education expenses; or to assist with graduate education expenses, such as loan repayment.

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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.