TNA Board of Directors honored Drs. Weierbach and Hemphill at 120th annual conference
Two East Tennessee State University College of Nursing faculty have been recognized with top honors from the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA) for their exceptional contributions to nursing.
Dr. Florence Weierbach was honored with the 2025 Nursing Excellence Award – Nursing Research for her scholarship, publications, mentorship and service at the district, state and national levels. Her work in advancing nursing science has significantly improved patient care and the professional development of nurses across the region.
Dr. Jean Hemphill was honored with the 2025 Nursing Excellence Award – Nursing Education, recognizing her dedication to preparing the next generation of nurses through innovative teaching, mentorship and leadership. Her commitment to excellence in nursing education has elevated student success and inspired future leaders in health care.
“These awards represent the highest standards of professional recognition within nursing,” said Dr. Dena Evans, ETSU College of Nursing dean. “We are proud of Dr. Weierbach and Dr. Hemphill for their leadership and commitment to advancing nursing through research and education. Their achievements reflect our mission to improve health outcomes in our community and beyond.”
The TNA Nursing Excellence Awards honor exceptional performance in clinical nursing practice, nursing education, advanced practice, research and administration, including professional leadership and service to TNA at the district, state or national levels.
Weierbach and Hemphill were presented with their awards during the TNA annual conference at the Achievement Awards Ceremony on Friday, Oct. 3. TNA also celebrated 120 years of dedicated service to nurses and nursing practice.
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.
