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University of Maine at Fort Kent

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Enrollment & Advancement Center • University of Maine at Fort Kent • 23 University Drive, Fort Kent, ME 04743

UMFK Nursing Professor Honored with DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award

May 18, 2021

Note: this is an archived news release. As such, the information provided may no longer apply.

Jenny Radsma honored with DAISY AwardThe University of Maine at Fort Kent is pleased to announce that retiring nursing professor, Dr. Jenny Radsma, was recently honored with the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award from the DAISY Foundation.

“Jenny is very deserving of this award,” said Dean of Undergraduate Nursing, Dr. Erin Soucy. “She has devoted her career to helping others and she has educated generations of future nurses.”

The DAISY Foundation developed the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize nurses who have devoted their life's work to the compassionate care of others. Recipients of this award are nominated for their dedication to nursing through active mentoring, role modeling, advocating for their patients and promoting the positive image of nursing. They serve as a beacon of inspiration to those at all stages of their career and in the various and important roles of nursing.

“Dr. Radsma has had a big impact on the nursing program at UMFK,” said UMFK President & Provost, Dr. Deb Hedeen. “We are sad to see her retire, but thrilled she was recognized by a national organization for her work.”

Dr. Radsma obtained her Licensed Practical Nurse degree in 1979 and later went on to earn her bachelor of science in nursing degree, master of science in nursing, and her Ph. D. She left High Level, a rural town in northern Alberta, where she worked as the Director of Community Health and Rehabilitation Services, to come to UMFK.

“During her time at UMFK, we experienced unparalleled enrollment growth in our nursing program,” said Dr. Soucy. “When she began working at UMFK in the spring of 1997, graduating class sizes ranged from 4 to 15. In comparison, this year we are awarding 168 baccalaureate degrees in nursing.”

Dr. Radsma is a staunch advocate of high-quality nursing education and professional practice. Students remark that she embraces the science and art of nursing. She prepares students well for the rigors of graduate studies and the responsibilities of nursing practice, with compassion and sincerity. For these reasons, and her exceptional mentoring of nursing students, she was nominated and received the award.