Davidson announced as McLain Award recipient
Mississippi University for Women recognized Dr. Sueanne Davidson, professor of graduate nursing, as the recipient of the McLain Family Award for Extraordinary Faculty during the spring Commencement ceremonies held Friday, May 9.
“Dr. Davidson is a valued faculty member who has dedicated her career to educating the next generation of nurse practitioners, while continuing to provide excellent patient care in her community. She is an amazing nurse educator, and I am thrilled she is being honored for her commitment to our students and programs,” said Dr. Brandy Larmon, dean of the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Established in 2022, the McLain Family Award for Extraordinary Faculty is presented annually to a faculty member in the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences who demonstrates outstanding dedication in teaching, scholarship and service—on campus and in the community.
“The McLain family is an extraordinary family whom I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand in their dedication to this university, our students, our community and the nursing profession,” said Davidson. “To be chosen for this award by former students, colleagues and fellow faculty is the highlight of my career at The W, and I am humbled and grateful to the McLain family for this award and all that it represents. My passion in teaching stems from my immense sense of responsibility to prepare nurse practitioner students for their future in health care and to provide every opportunity to be successful.”
To be eligible for the award, recipients must have served at least two consecutive years as a nursing faculty member in the college and exhibit extraordinary passion and commitment in their professional roles.
Davidson has been a faculty member at The W since 2006. Professionally, she has practiced at numerous community clinics and family practices, Baptist Memorial Hospital, Neurology Consultants P.C., and DCH Regional Medical Center. She is also actively involved in several professional organizations, including the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau and multiple state associations.
In her nomination letter, Dr. Shonda Phelon, chair of the graduate nursing program at The W, wrote, “Dr. Davidson consistently demonstrates a profound ability to engage and inspire students and is very respected among her colleagues and students. Every year, Dr. Davidson is the faculty member and clinician that students say they aspire to be. Her unique ability to cater to different learning styles has made her a mentor to many students even after graduation.”
“As an educator, Dr. Davidson brings unmatched passion and innovation to the classroom,” added Beth Turner, associate professor of graduate nursing. “She team-teaches across all courses in the Family Nurse Practitioner program and is known for her clarity, compassion and ability to bring complex clinical concepts to life. Her service and advocacy are equally inspiring. Dr. Davidson’s contributions to the university, the College of Nursing and the profession of nursing are truly immeasurable. Her work at The W has helped train generations of nurse practitioners who go on to serve in rural and underserved communities, bringing care to those who need it most. She is not only a role model for her students but also a trusted voice in nursing leadership.”
Davidson’s dedication has brought numerous honors, including the National March of Dimes Nursing Scholarship, the Evelyn Wurm Hardy Endowed Nursing Scholarship, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and the Doctoral Student Research Award from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Her scholarly work has been presented at national and regional conferences, covering topics such as acne education, cognitive screening, controlled substances, Alzheimer’s disease and nurse practitioner education. She is also a frequent presenter for the Mississippi Nurses Association and the Mississippi Board of Nursing on topics related to controlled substances and pharmacology. Davidson has served on multiple university committees related to admissions, curriculum development, faculty research and clinical coordination
Davidson earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a Master of Science in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UAB. She holds current nurse practitioner licensure in Mississippi and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
The McLain Family Award for Extraordinary Faculty is supported by an endowment established by the Ralph McLain family.