Welcome!

As an alumna or alumnus of the Loewenberg School of Nursing, you belong to a special group. The LSON Alumni Chapter is your connection to the Loewenberg School of Nursing, the University of Memphis, and the nursing profession.  Your membership benefits include:

• U of M Magazine (published quarterly)
• Invitations to alumni events such as the Distinguished Lecture Series, the annual Nursing Conference, and the Outstanding Alumni Luncheon
• Opportunities to volunteer with students and other alumni
• Opportunities to give back financially

Please visit our Alumni page to learn more about the work of the School of Nursing Alumni Chapter, get important updates on upcoming alumni events, and keep in touch with your fellow alumni.

If you would like to help chart the course of the Loewenberg School of Nursing Alumni Chapter, please consider joining the Alumni Chapter Board of Directors.  Made up of alumni and faculty, the board meets regularly to plan events and allocate support for students and programs. 

If you would like to be a part of this important decision-making group, please contact Shawn Carter, Alumni Coordinator at smcarter@memphis.edu or 901/678-5016.

2010 Outstanding Alumni Awards Luncheon
Tuesday, April 27th 11:30am
U of M University Center

The Loewenberg School of Nursing Alumni Chapter is pleased to recognize the accomplishments of our alumni. On April 27th, the LSON Alumni Chapter will honor two outstanding graduates with its Outstanding Alumni Award.

Dr. Paula Dycus (BSN ’97) and Dr. Paula Spears (BSN ’81) will be recognized for their service and commitment to Nursing and the Memphis community during a luncheon held in the U of M University Center.

Paula Dycus, BSN 1997

Dr. Paula Dycus has had a varied nursing career since 1977. Dr. Dycus received her BSN from the University of Memphis 20 years after graduating from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. She received her MSN in Nursing Administration from Union University and Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Tennessee, where she has also been recognized as an outstanding alumna.

Dr. Dycus’ current position as Administrative Director of Professional Practice and Research at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital allows her to focus on her passions – improving the quality of nursing care and improving the work environment for nurses. Prior to this position, she held a variety of management positions at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Baptist Memorial Health Care.

She has presented at local, national, and international conferences on the subjects of quality and patient safety. Dr. Dycus has also published several articles on the subjects. She is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality and is a Board Certified Nurse Executive-Advanced. Dr. Dycus is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, ANA, TNA, AONE, TONE and the newly formed Mid South chapter of the Society of Pediatric Nurses.

Paula Spears, BSN 1981

Dr. Paula Spears has held various clinical, faculty, and management roles during her thirty years of professional nursing practice. As the current Executive Director for the Nursing Institute of the Mid South, Inc. (NIMS), a non-profit organization of local hospitals and nurse education institutions, Dr. Spears works collaboratively and strategically with member organizations to facilitate a quality regional nursing workforce.

Immediately prior to leading NIMS, Paula served full-time as Corporate Director for Clinical Practice and Education for Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, TN. In this position, she coordinated the organization’s deployment of initiatives for the advancement of professional practice. These initiatives, developed in concert with senior nursing and patient care leaders, included the development and oversight of the Center for Nursing Excellence. Under her leadership, the Center received a $1.2 million federal grant to retain nurses and improve patient care outcomes by enhancing the patient care delivery system and creating a work environment led by competent nurse leaders who involve staff in collaborative practice and decision-making.

Dr. Spears completed her Bachelor’s in Nursing from the University of Memphis and holds Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Science degrees from the University of Tennessee. She completed her original nursing education at the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing.

Previous Outstanding Alumni Award Recipients

2009:    Mrs. Mary Hammons, BSN ’80 and MSN ‘06

              Dr. Jan Young, BSN ’83

2008:    Dr. Sam Maceri, BSN ‘99

              Dr. Betty Sue McGarvey, BSN ‘85