Four Scholarship Awards to be presented at 14th Annual TWU Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon Honoring Francie Moody-Dahlberg for her commitment to education, social services, the arts, and community development
Mary Roberts, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, a resident of Oak Lawn, is a doctoral student with a 4.0 GPA pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Texas Woman’s University, where she plans to graduate in 2017. Following graduation, Roberts plans to work independently as a clinician, while conducting research and translating that research into practice in a way that will improve patient outcomes. Roberts is receiving one of four prestigious scholarships given by Texas Woman’s University at the 14th Annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon, presented by Bank of Texas, Texas Woman’s University, and the Texas Woman’s University Foundation, Feb. 10, at noon, at The Belo Mansion and Pavilion. Luther King Capital Management is the sponsor of the College of Nursing Scholarship, honoring Roberts this year.
In 1984 when Roberts received her bachelor of science in nursing from Michigan State University, she set a goal to become an expert clinician for the adult critically ill patient. Additionally, to utilize her bachelor of arts in English, with a teaching certificate, also from Michigan State University, she set goals to teach and mentor others who were choosing this path in nursing as well as write and speak about the art and science of nursing.
Career driven, Roberts moved to Dallas to pursue what she perceived as the best path for a future in critical care nursing. She completed a formal critical care and trauma nurse internship at Parkland Memorial Hospital in 1985. She received a master’s in adult nursing with an education focus from the University of Texas in Arlington School of Nursing in 1990, where she also served as a graduate teaching assistant. She practiced in all the adult intensive care units at Parkland hospital and for many years taught in the same critical care and trauma nurse internship where she launched her career and simultaneously was an adjunct clinical instructor at the University of Texas in Arlington. Following her passion for providing holistic care for the acutely ill patient, she completed an acute care nurse practitioner certification in l996 and has worked in gastroenterology, infectious diseases, and cardio-thoracic, prior to her current focus in trauma.
Roberts has worked as an acute care nurse practitioner in Trauma Services at Parkland Hospital since 2007. She works with the surgical/trauma team, including the trauma nurse clinicians and bedside nurses, providing and coordinating all the medical/surgical aspects of care for trauma patients from admission to discharge. She also provides education and mentors bedside nurses to help them understand and implement the nursing plan of care in conjunction with the medical plan of care.
“These challenging and rewarding positions have given me an ongoing passion for providing excellent care, serving as an advocate for patients, and sharing knowledge through teaching novice nursing colleagues,” added Roberts.
Roberts’ background and experience helped her realize her passion for clinical practice. She was always looking for the best ways to deliver the best care for patients. She also knew she loved teaching and wanted to further expand her expertise so she could share her ideas with others. She began working on her doctor of nursing practice degree at TWU in 2012 through the hybrid program, which offers her both support and independence in learning.
“The growing aging population and my practice work in acute/critical care have further developed my interest in advance care planning,” said Roberts. “For my scholarly project, I am currently examining the behavior and action measures taken by an elderly person to prepare for advance care planning decision making, including the preparation of an advance care directive.”
Roberts is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, American Society of Trauma Nurses, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society for Nurses, and Golden Key National Honor Society, among others. She received the College of Nursing Outstanding Undergraduate Nurse Award at Michigan State University, the Outstanding Nurse Award in 1989 at the University of Texas in Arlington and was a 1992 recipient of The DFW Great 100 Nurses.
A native of Grand Blanc, Michigan, Roberts lives in Dallas with her husband, Ron McCoy.
“I feel humbled and honored to receive this scholarship and am grateful to the faculty of TWU who have served as mentors to me,” said Roberts. “I am also appreciative of my supportive husband, nursing colleagues and family, including my five siblings who wonder why I am doing all of this! My advice to others is to never let your passion for what you do and your pursuit of excellence die!”
In addition to Roberts, graduate students from the remaining three TWU colleges will also be honored at the luncheon as recipients of scholarship funds: Veronica Rowe, College of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy), sponsored by Edgemere – Dallas/SQLC Charitable Foundation; Tara L. Roush, College of Professional Education (COPE), sponsored by Geraldine “Tincy” Miller; and Erin Ellis, College of Arts and Sciences, sponsored by Sis Carr.
TWU’s 14th Annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon, Feb. 10 at the Belo Mansion and Pavilion, will honor Francie Moody-Dahlberg as the 2016 recipient of the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award. Tickets are $175 for silver patron; $250 for gold patron. For more information, call 940-898-3872, visit www.twu.edu/vcd, or email SVenable@mail.twu.edu.