Nurse Administrator Receives Marie Brown Award

Karen Bankston, RN, MSN, vice president of operations for The University Hospital in Cincinnati, is this year's recipient of the Marie Brown Award.  The honor is named for Marie Brown who worked at the UC Medical Center and The University Hospital for 16 years.  Brown was known for her successful collaborations within and across departments and institutions.  She passed away in October 1997.  The award recognizes an unsung hero who has enhanced the UC Medical Center through continuing, ongoing efforts, including interdisciplinary research efforts within or between colleges. 

Bankston was selected for the award in recognition of her problem solving efforts for the hospital.  She is also working on her dissertation for her PhD.  Her focus is the relationship of female nurses and physicians and its impact on the delivery of care. Bankston serves on the board of the West End Health Center, the African American Health Network and is a member of the United Way's Healthy People's Vision Council. She is a visiting assistant professor in the graduate program at the UC College of Nursing.

"Karen Bankston, currently the vice president of operations at The University Hospital, is also the embodiment of Marie Brown in so many ways," said James Hurst, MD, chief executive officer of The University Hospital and vice chair of clinical trauma surgery in the UC College of Medicine.  "She has been fiercely committed to the mission of the hospital, especially to those programs which provide support for the underserved in Hamilton County," Dr. Hurst said, as he explained why he nominated her for the award.

"Receiving the award is a special honor because I worked with Marie Brown as a professional colleague and knew her as a personal friend," Bankston said.  "I am humbled by this award because Marie was such a role model." 

Bankston will be presented with a plaque and monetary award during the 2003 "State  of the Medical Center" address by Thomas Boat, MD, interim provost for health affairs for UC Medical Center, and William Martin, MD, dean of the UC College of Medicine and acting senior vice president for UC, on Tuesday, April 29, at 4 p.m. in room 7051 of the Medical Sciences Building. 

"Karen has in the past, and continues today, to serve as a role model and mentor for many young professional women in the area," Dr. Hurst said.