Harry Jacobson, M.D., presents Colleen Conway-Welch, Ph.D., with the painting “Garden Path,” by Henry Isaacs, at last week’s School of Nursing Centennial Gala. (photo by Tommy Lawson)
VUSN celebrates 100th anniversary with gala event
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing celebrated its 100th anniversary at its Centennial Gala last week at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel.
Nearly 500 members of the Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee communities gathered to honor the milestone.
The School was founded in 1908 to help train Vanderbilt Hospital nurses, and has become one of the top 20 schools of nursing in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report, and has graduated more than 7,000 bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. nurses.
A highlight of the event included recognizing the School's Top 100 leaders — women and men with an affiliation to the school who have made a significant impact on society and nursing.
The Top 100 leaders were given a special medal and scarf or tie featuring newly commissioned artwork of VUSN's iconic Godchaux Hall doors.
“These men and women are critical thinkers, educators, researchers, policymakers, international relief workers, community leaders, emergency preparedness experts, entrepreneurs, informatics specialists and more,” said VUSN Dean Colleen Conway-Welch, Ph.D.
“They are accomplished in their own unique way, each choosing their own path to serve society.”
During the evening, Harry Jacobson, M.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs, presented Conway-Welch with a Henry Isaacs original piece entitled “Garden Path” in honor of her 24 years of service to the school. He described Conway-Welch as a “fearless, visionary leader who has launched thousands of nurses on their journey in the profession.”