2022 Betty Lee Evans Nursing Excellence Award Recipient
This award, established in 2004 by the late Dr. E. Burke Evans, a beloved faculty member in the School of Medicine, serves as a lasting tribute to his grandmother and his sister – both nurses named Betty Lee Evans. The award recognizes nursing practice and the delivery of excellence in patient care at UTMB by graduates of the School of Nursing.
About Meredith A. Ford
Meredith A. Ford was born and raised in Bangor, Maine. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York, and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Nursing in Galveston. She is currently working towards a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science from Texas Woman’s University. In her PhD research, she is studying and exploring the relationship quality and changes between a patient, who had a prostatectomy due to prostate cancer, and their partner.
Ms. Ford has practiced as a nurse for over 12 years. She worked in a psychiatric facility in Maine until she moved to Texas in the fall of 2010. After moving, she began working at MD Anderson Cancer Center as a clinical nurse in the lymphoma and multiple myeloma inpatient unit. After completing her Master of Science degree, she worked as a nursing educator at MD Anderson while teaching UTMB clinical students in a medical-surgical unit on the weekends. Since 2016, Ms. Ford has worked full-time as an Assistant Professor in the UTMB School of Nursing. She currently teaches in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Additionally, as an American Heart Association Basic Life Support and CPR instructor, she is in the community, specifically focusing on the underserved population in Galveston County, teaching members how to save lives and giving them the confidence to share their new knowledge with their families and friends.
Ms. Ford is the coordinator and advisor for the Policy & Leadership Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) program at the UTMB School of Nursing. She has coordinated leadership opportunities and policy engagements for the students. She has presented her work in the PLUS program at local, state, national, and international conferences.
In 2015, MD Anderson recognized her as an outstanding oncology nurse and patient educator. She was nominated for this award by the patients she cared for and the colleagues she worked with. Other prestigious awards she has received include the 2020 UTMB Outstanding Faculty Award which is voted on by students, and the Beverly & F.A. Odom Endowment in 2021, nominated by the faculty. Ms. Ford is passionate about educating others and being a change agent.