Assistant Professor Katie Buys (right) accepting her award from NPAAThe Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama has recognized University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Assistant Professor of Nursing Katie Buys, DNP, MPH, RN, NP-C, as well as multiple alumni at its 13th Annual Nurse Practitioner Conference on October 4.
Buys received the Outstanding Nurse Practitioner Faculty award from UAB School of Nursing.
She was recognized for her expertise in public health and her development of a Social Determinants of Health project in the family nurse practitioner curriculum. Through the project, students can research, implement, identify and present on the social determinants of health that impact communities in which they precept.
“I am honored for this recognition from NPAA; I very much appreciate my colleagues for their nomination, which was centered on the Social Determinants of Health project I developed and have led for the last four years.” Buys said. “I am grateful for ongoing support from the UAB School of Nursing which recognizes the importance of innovative, engaging lessons and projects to prepare our nurse practitioner students for practice. Through this project, I have seen students enhance their grasp of the factors that affect patients’ health outcomes and make a lasting impact on the practices where they are completing their clinical training.”
Buys is a two-time graduate from the UAB School of Nursing, receiving her MSN in 2011 and DNP in 2014.
Other UAB School of Nursing graduates and students recognized by NPAA included:
Master of Science in Nursing Alumna and University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing Assistant Professor Theresa Wadas, PhD, DNP, FAANP (MSN 1988) was recognized as the Outstanding Nurse Practitioner Faculty from UA;
PhD Alumna and University of Alabama in Huntsville Assistant Professor Louise C. O’Keefe, DNP, PhD (PhD 2013) was recognized as the Outstanding Nurse Practitioner Faculty from UAH;
Family nurse practitioner student Kelly Butler, who was named the Outstanding Student for UAB School of Nursing. Butler is a former police officer who aims plans to earn her Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) and practice in a rural area.
Two-time graduate Rachael Steil (BSN 2006, MSN 2009) was named Samford University’s Outstanding Student. Steil received her MSN from the UAB School of Nursing, specializing as a family nurse practitioner. She is pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Samford.
Two-time graduate Kathy Martin (BSN 1983, MSN 1993) was named Outstanding Alabama Nurse Practitioner, one of the most prestigious NPAA awards. Martin has a clinical practice in neurology and more than 21 years of experience in acute care and internal medicine as a nurse practitioner.
Two-time graduate Jill Cunningham, DNP (BSN 1995, MSN 1998) was named this year’s Outstanding Nurse Educator. Cunningham received her BSN and MSN from the UAB School of Nursing and is a professor and Nurse Practitioner Department Chair at Samford University.
