TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing recently presented Gloria Williams, director of nursing at DCH Regional Medical Center, with its Janet S. Awtrey Distinguished Nursing Leader Award.

Williams came to DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa in 1979 as clinical director of maternal/child nursing. Since 1997 she has served as one of three directors of nursing at DCH Regional Medical Center. She and two other directors share total inpatient and outpatient responsibilities.

“Every now and then an organization is fortunate enough to have the quietly effective leadership of an individual who goes about the tasks of building relationships, encouraging excellence in practice, improving the quality of patient care and providing an example of clinical nurse leadership that you want your students to see and emulate. Such is the leadership of Gloria Williams,” said Dr. Sara Barger, dean of UA's Capstone College of Nursing, in presenting the award.

Barger also lauded Williams for her support of UA’s Summer Internship program, in cooperation with the Regional Medical Center. The program began in 1997, following discussions involving Williams and others at DCH. “Gloria clearly believed that not only was it possible, but that we could make it work,” Barger said. “And then she quietly went about making the program successful. Six years later, the Summer Internship Program at
DCH is a model for Hospital-Education partnerships within Alabama and throughout the nation.”

The College’s award, named after Dean Emeritus Janet Awtrey, recognizes leaders in clinical practice or education for contributions made specifically to the Capstone College of Nursing and to nursing as a profession. Criteria include vision and creativity in nursing practice, unselfish caring and commitment to excellence in nursing.

Williams, who earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Tuskegee Institute and a master of science in pediatric nursing from UAB, is an adjunct nursing faculty member at UA.

She has more than 30 years of nursing and executive experience and is a member of the Alabama State Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association and the West Alabama Organization of Nurse Executives.

The College recognized Williams as part of UA’s annual Honors Week activities. Throughout the week, scholarship and leadership among UA students and faculty are honored.

The Capstone College of Nursing founded in 1976, graduates approximately 100 nurses a year from its baccalaureate program. Its graduate program for nurse case managers is one of the most innovative in the country. Partnerships with many of Alabama’s community colleges make obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s in nursing a realistic goal for registered nurses. With more than 600 students and 28 faculty, the College supplies RNs and nurse case managers to many Alabama health care facilities and others throughout the United States. The College also runs a primary care clinic in rural Alabama to provide care for rural patients and rural learning experiences for students.