Amy
Kelley, staff writer
posted
on April 20, 2006
Kerry
Varner, a 2005 nursing graduate from Troy University, was one of
only 10 national award winners to win an award for excellence.
Varner has been awarded the Elsevier’s Student Award for Nursing
Excellence.
According to the press release, this award recognizes nursing students
who excelled in academics and demonstrated leadership abilities
and patient care.
The Elsevier Publishing Company, the publisher of many nursing texts,
invited nominations for the award by faculty only.
Kerry Varner is a Red Level native and was nominated for this award
by his professor, Amy Spurlock.
“The award was for a student who makes an impact on people’s
lives, and I thought of Kerry,” said Amy Spurlock, associate
professor of the school of nursing.
“Kerry is a great role model and always went the extra mile.
I thought Kerry would be a great candidate,” Spurlock added.
Spurlock then wrote an essay to be submitted to the judging committee
of well-known nurses around the nation.
“I wrote the essay about Kerry’s leadership abilities,
how he cares for his patients and about our trip to Mississippi
after Hurricane Katrina to help with the relief efforts,”
Spurlock said.
“I think helping with the relief efforts in Mississippi after
the hurricane is what set me apart from the rest,” Varner
said.
“I also had a lot of struggles that I had to overcome. I lost
three people that were close to me all in a matter of days,”
he added.
Varner also said he had to study a lot and stay focused on his schoolwork.
“I went from struggling academically to making all A’s,”
Varner said.
“It is just such an honor to win this award,” he added.
According to the press release, Varner will receive $1,000 in professional
texts and $1,500 in cash.
“We are just so proud of Kerry and his accomplishments,”
Spurlock said.
Kerry Varner is currently employed with Baptist South Hospital working
in the cardiovascular intensive care unit.
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