WAU Nursing Faculty Honored with Dr. Peg E. Daw NFAR Award

TAKOMA PARK, Md. — We would like to congratulate the two nursing faculty members from Washington Adventist University (WAU) who have been recognized with the prestigious Dr. Peg E. Daw Nurse Faculty Annual Recognition (NFAR) Award for their contributions to nursing education.

Dr. Jercilla Murmu and Dr. Helen Wilson have been honored for demonstrating excellence in education, particularly in innovation in education and technology. The NFAR program, established in 2020 and renamed in 2023 in honor of Dr. Peg E. Daw, recognizes distinguished nursing faculty in Maryland. It is part of the Nurse Support Program II, funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Award recipients receive $10,000, which can be accessed for up to five years, provided they remain employed as full-time faculty members in good standing.

Murmu, a faculty member and Associate Chair of Nursing at WAU since 2014, has over 23 years of nursing experience, including more than 16 years in education in both India and the United States. She is currently a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) candidate at Southern Adventist University and serves as WAU’s simulation coordinator. Her research focuses on assessing nursing faculty readiness to integrate clinical simulation into education.

Wilson, WAU’s Associate Director and Professor in the Department of Nursing, has over 24 years of experience in nursing education. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the University of Maryland and a Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate from the University of Cincinnati. With a professional background that includes serving as a dean in India, a clinical supervisor, and a professional development manager, Wilson’s research interests include managing agitation in traumatic brain injury patients and assessing nursing students’ clinical competency.

Dr. Tijuana Griffin, Chair of WAU’s Nursing Department, commended the honorees, emphasizing their critical roles in the program. “All of the team members are essential to the nursing program. As I reviewed the categories of excellence, I saw each of them as exceptional in their respective areas. Each year, I will continue to nominate WAU nursing faculty members for these awards so that nurses throughout Maryland and the U.S. will know of the treasured blessings we have in our faculty.”

This recognition underscores the caliber of faculty at WAU and the high level of mentorship and expertise that students experience throughout their nursing education. The dedication of these award-winning faculty members ensures that WAU students receive top-tier instruction and hands-on learning opportunities, preparing them to excel in the healthcare field.

The NFAR award highlights WAU’s commitment to excellence in nursing education and the dedication of its faculty in shaping future healthcare professionals.