The Advanced Practice Provider of the Year award is given to an individual who demonstrates leadership by serving as a role-model and mentor to his or her peers. This person shows initiative and promotes positive change in the nurse practice environment. Advanced Practice Provider of the Year winners demonstrate excellence in their day-to-day work while embodying the values of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Honorees actively advocate for the care of patients and their families and contribute to improved patient outcomes through a commitment to delivering high-quality care.
William Jerkins wins 2021 Advance Practice Provider of the Year Award
William Jerkins, CPNP-AC, 2021 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year winner (center), with James R. Downing, MD, president and CEO of St. Jude, and Robin Mutz, RN, former chief nurse executive and senior vice president
William Jerkins, CPNP-AC, is an excellent nurse practitioner with more than 10 years of experience in pediatric oncology. A nurse practitioner in the Hospitalist program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Jerkins says he enjoys sharing the knowledge he has accrued throughout his career. He is always willing to take time out of his day to teach nurses, advanced practice providers, pediatric hematology-oncology fellows, and hospitalist physicians.
Jerkins was noted by his nominator to be a dedicated professional who is respectful of all team members and exemplifies St. Jude values. He easily establishes rapport with families and nurses and dedicates the time required to ensure everyone understands the plan of care. His caring demeanor, advanced level of knowledge, and ability to effectively communicate with others makes him an outstanding care provider.
Since starting at St. Jude only 2 years ago, Jerkins has quickly established his career here. He co-chairs the Center for Advance Practice Special Affairs Committee. Additionally, he started an educational lunch initiative for Kay 3 RNs with Katie Tomaszczuk, RN.
Jerkins truly embodies the description for the Advance Practice Provider of the Year.
Stacy Hines-Dowell is 2020 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year
Stacey Hines-Dowell, DNP, the 2020 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year, with James R. Downing, MD, president and CEO of St. Jude, and Robin Mutz, RN, former chief nurse executive and senior vice president
Stacy Hines-Dowell, DNP, has been an advanced practice nurse with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for 5 years in the Division of Cancer Predisposition.
“She is caring and compassionate with her patients and their families,” wrote a nominator for the award. Stacy demonstrates a level of competency that is beyond compare. She serves as a true role model to all those around her—is a valued team member and a strong collaborator.”
In addition to her clinical role in genetics, Hines-Dowell serves in multiple nursing organizations both within St. Jude and within the wider nursing community. She developed a comprehensive nursing education module for newborn genetic testing at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and a similar nursing education module—Genomes for Nurses—at St. Jude.
The author of several publications, she has received grant funding for her work and was chosen to give the keynote address at the 2021 International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) conference.