Former UW Nursing School Dean Posthumously Receives Excellence Award

A former dean and professor of the University of Wyoming's Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing has been posthumously awarded the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) 2024 State Award for Excellence.

Mary Burman, who died in September 2023, was named at this year's awards ceremony at the AANP National Conference in Nashville June 25-30.

The award, presented annually to nurse practitioners and those who work to increase patients' access to the high-quality care nurse practitioners provide, goes to one nurse practitioner and one advocate from each state, district or territory. Burman was named representing Wyoming.

Burman's qualifications for the award are numerous, as she served as a nurse practitioner at several locations throughout Laramie, including the Eppson Center for Seniors, Spring Creek Family Medicine, the Downtown Clinic and UW's Student Health Service.

"I can think of no one better to represent Wyoming for this award recognizing an outstanding nurse practitioner," says Sherrill Smith, dean and professor of the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing in UW's College of Health Sciences. "Dr. Burman's passion for rural health care and access to care was the focus of her work as a nurse practitioner, educator and leader in Wyoming."

Burman served as dean and professor at UW's nursing school from 2008 until she retired in 2019. During her time in the College of Health Sciences, she also served as interim college dean and director of the Division of Social Work from 2016-18.

"Mary Burman's spirit of service and exceptional contributions to the state, university and school continue to inspire and guide future generations of nurse practitioners," says Michelle Hilaire, interim dean of UW's College of Health Sciences. "This award honors her dedication to compassionate care and unwavering commitment to excellence in nursing."

Mary Behrens, an alumna and current board member of the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, accepted the AANP 2024 State Award for Excellence on behalf of her late colleague.

"It was truly an honor to accept the award posthumously for Dr. Mary Burman, past dean of the UW Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing," Behrens says. "She also was honored with a moment of silence at the presentation in Nashville. She also was an AANP Fellow since 2008, of which there have only been six AANP Fellows recognized in Wyoming."

Behrens serves as a member of the Friends of the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing Board, formed in 2009 to help direct the school's development plan and current initiatives. She also is an American Nurses Association Leadership Institute member and vice president of the Wyoming Center for Nursing and Health Care Partnerships.

Established in 1991 to recognize outstanding clinical quality, the AANP State Award for Excellence honors nurse practitioners for the lifesaving care they provide to patients. Added in 1993, the AANP Advocate State Award for Excellence highlights efforts to advance the nurse practitioner role.

About the University of Wyoming College of Health Sciences

UW's College of Health Sciences trains health and wellness professionals and researchers in a wide variety of disciplines, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, speech-language pathology, social work, kinesiology, public health, health administration and disability studies. The college also oversees residency and fellowship programs in Casper and Cheyenne, as well as operating a speech/hearing clinic in Laramie and primary care clinics in Laramie, Casper and Cheyenne.

With more than 1,600 undergraduate, graduate and professional students, the college is dedicated to training the health and wellness workforce of Wyoming and conducting high-quality research and community engagement, with a particular focus on rural and frontier populations.

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