FAU Alumni Hall of Fame
tyMediumShot-164×300.png” alt=”” width=”164″ height=”300″ />Congratulations to Clinical Director, Elizabeth “Betty” Tsarnas, ARNP, who will be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.
Betty graduated from FAU with her Master of Science degree in nursing in 1997, but she’s been an integral part of the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic since 1995, when she helped get the clinic open. Thanks to Betty’s dedication to community service, the clinic has had a huge impact in helping the medically under-served of Martin County.
In fact, in 1997, VIM was one of just 10 organizations selected from a national field of 40,000 for outstanding volunteerism and community service, as part of Make a Difference Day, a project of the Points of Light Foundation started by President George H. W. Bush. In 2009, six of our volunteers again brought VIM Clinic into the national arena when they were honored by President Barack Obama for their service to the community.
None of this would have been possible without the dedication, passion, caring and selflessness of people like Betty Tsarnas, who set high standards and make VIM a place of joy and compassion – a place where people want to be, whether they’re patients or practitioners.
At FAU, Ms. Tsarnas learned much from Dr. Anne Boykin, the Dean of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and originator of the Caring Theory. The lessons learned at FAU had a profound impact in shaping Ms. Tsarnas’ personal and professional life over the past 15 years. As a result, VIM Clinic, our patients and, indeed, our entire community are all direct beneficiaries of that educational experience, and are so much the richer for it.
The decision to induct Ms. Tsarnas into the 2011 Florida Atlantic University Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame was unanimous, according to the notification letter dated March 18.
“The leadership in your college and the University are in unanimous agreement that your induction is truly a well-deserved honor,” Dr. Boykin wrote. “We, at your alma mater, are very proud of you and your significant and exemplary professional accomplishments.”
The induction ceremony takes place Wednesday May 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at FAU’s Boca Raton campus.