NATIONAL HEALTH CARE ADVOCATE NAMED BROWARD COLLEGE FOUNDATION’S 2009 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA

Dr. Susan Hassmiller to Receive Honor at Second Annual Tripp Scott Lyceum Awards

Fort Lauderdale, Fla., September 16, 2009—Her license plate reads GIV BAC, and that motto has been the touchstone of the professional and personal life of Susan Hassmiller, Ph. D., R.N., F.A.A.N. Her numerous professional achievements and strong volunteer background made Hassmiller a natural choice for the Broward College Foundation’s 2009 Distinguished Alumni award. The honor recognizes graduates of Broward College who have demonstrated significant contributions in the areas of professional, civic or public life.

A native of Broward County, Dr. Hassmiller began her life’s journey in nursing at what was then known as Broward Community College. Graduating with an Associate of Science in Nursing degree in 1974, Hassmiller stated that she received the best education in basic nursing at Broward College, and credits the school with instilling in her the importance of giving back to her community. When asked about her instructors at Broward College, Dr. Hassmiller, who now resides in Princeton Junction, NJ stated emphatically, “They absolutely inspired me to go on.”

Dr. Hassmiller went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree in health education from Florida State University. She earned a second master’s degree in community health nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and earned a Ph.D. in nursing administration and health policy from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.

In her present position as Senior Advisor for Nursing and Director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing at the Institute of Medicine, she was drawn to the foundation’s “organizational advocacy for the less fortunate and underserved.” At the foundation, she has been charged with leading the initiative to identify new solutions for nursing in the areas of recruitment, education, retention, new technologies and the delivery of nursing services in a variety of care settings. Dr. Hassmiller believes that the nursing profession must be armed with these solutions, and play a central part in the health care reform process.

A volunteer with the American Red Cross since college, Hassmiller has been involved in disaster relief efforts in the United States and abroad. She has been in the Midwest after tornadoes have struck, in South Florida following Hurricane Andrew, in New York following the September 11^th Twin Towers tragedy, and in Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami. She serves as senior advisor to the American Red Cross on nursing and disaster programming, and is the chair of their National 9/11 Oversight Commission.

Most recently she received the International Committees of the Red Cross’ Florence Nightingale Medal, nursing’s highest international honor.

“Dr. Hassmiller’s level of commitment to the nursing profession is profound,’” said Nancy Botero, executive director of the Broward College Foundation. “She is passionate about the role of nurses in our communities and is an inspiration to nursing students both here and across the nation.”

Speaking of the importance and role of community colleges in nursing, Dr. Hassmiller stated “Up to 70 percent of nurses in this country come from community colleges”. She says colleagues often try to persuade her of the value of community college trained nurses and “I tell them I started out at Broward Community College; you don’t need to convince me of the importance of community college trained nurses.” In fact, she said “That’s what BCC stands for….giving back to the community.”

The Broward College Foundation is pleased to be able to recognize Dr. Hassmiller’s accomplishments at the Tripp Scott Second Annual Lyceum Awards on Saturday, October 3 at 6 p.m., at the Parker Playhouse. The evening includes a musical salute to “Excellence in Education” and features performances by Broadway’s Brian Stokes Mitchell and Broward College students. For additional information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.lyceumawards.com.

About the Broward College Foundation

The mission of the Broward College Foundation is to change lives though education by providing community awareness, advocacy and financial support to Broward College. The Broward College Foundation awards more than $2 million in scholarships annually to Broward College students and supports academic programs and awards for outstanding faculty. While the State of Florida funds approximately 62 percent of Broward College's operating budget, the balance must be raised from individuals, corporations and institutions. The mission of the Broward College Foundation is to support the college by providing community awareness, advocacy and financial support to the college, its students, faculty and staff.

Led by its Board of Directors, the foundation raises funds, conducts programs and practices stewardship that increases the effectiveness of the college in meeting community, student, faculty and staff needs.

The mission of Broward College is to achieve student success by developing informed and creative students capable of contributing to a knowledge- and service-based global society. As a public community college accredited to offer associate degrees, selected baccalaureate degrees, and certificate programs, the institution and its District Board of Trustees are committed to fostering a learning-centered community that celebrates diversity and inclusion by empowering and engaging students, faculty, and staff.