Bernardine M. Lacey, EdD, RN, FAAN
Posted about 3 years ago
It is with great sadness that I must inform you that Bernardine M. Lacey, EdD, RN, FAAN passed this morning. She will be eternally missed. I will advise if I receive any other update from the family.
Charlotte
MNA President
Dr. Lacey’s Bio
In 1994, Dr. Bernardine Lacey was appointed Professor and founding Dean to the School of Nursing at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She remained in that position until June 30, 1999. On July 1, 1999, she was appointed Special Assistant to the President of Western Michigan University. She returned to the Maryland area in 2000 to rejoin her family. Subsequently, she accepted a position as Professor and Chair, Department of Nursing at Prince George’s Community College, Largo, Maryland. She resigned from this position in May 2002, and accepted the position as Executive Director of Children’s National Medical Center, School Health Program.
In August 2004, Dr. Lacey transitioned from the position as Executive Director of Children’s School Services, to accept the position as Chairperson, Department of Nursing at Bowie State University. Her reputation as a nurse and nurse educator is unmatched in the nursing profession. In 1964, in her career at Howard University/Freedman’s Hospital, she advanced from staff nurse to administrative supervisor.
Among her most prestigious honors was her selection as Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 1990. The Distinguished Alumna in 1993 from Georgetown, University. In addition, her most recent awards include the Legacy of Leadership Award from Howard University. In October 2014, Dr. Lacey was inducted as a “Living Legend” by the American Academy of Nursing. Upon her retirement from Western Michigan University, two generous donors awarded the University 1.5 million to establish an endowed chair in Community Health Nursing.
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Thank you for giving notice about Dr. Lacey. I'm saddened for us earthlings. On the positive side, we have another nurse angel watching over us to be sure we continue her work and honor her legacy.
I met Dr Lacey when I was a nursing student at Prince George’s Community College then again at Bowie State. Later I would become her Soror with Chi Eta Phi Sorority Incorporated. Her smile and words of wisdom has given me the tools I needed to become a nurse. You will be missed
Another giant in our field has gone to her reward. She was a lovely person and a mentor to many. She will certainly be missed but her legacy lives on.
Thank you for letting us all know, Madame President.
Thank you for this notice Charlotte. I am truly sadden, my mentor and friend and such a beautiful person. I am grateful to have known her and the influence she has had in my life as a nurse educator.
Unfortunately, I did not meet Dr. Lacey, but from the description you offered on her life, I would have benefited from having her in my life. May the Creator bless her soul and welcome her into His heavenly abode where she can be the "Nurse Angel" my friend Donna mentioned in her comments---watching over us to be sure we continue our work and honor her legacy.
Bernardine Lacey was a colleague, a friend, a negotiator, a role model, an inspiration. She showed us what it is to persist toward a worthy goal in spite of the odds, with malice toward none and with charity for all. When the tunnel was blocked, she checked out the paths and climbed over over the mountain. Few people know that she was a leader in incorporating service to vulnerable communities into a standard nursing curriculum. nor that she was the savior of Bowie State University's successful pre-licensure BSN program here in Maryland.We will not see her again, but I hope that there are young nurses who will follow her example. I cannot forget her voice, her laugh, her smile, or her wisdom.
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