Howe had been an undergraduate associate professor at the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing since 2012. Her research interests included nursing and institutional history, nursing education strategies, pharmacogenomics, and deep tissue injury prevention and healing.

In her 30-year academic career, Howe has served in various faculty and leadership roles at universities and colleges in Florida, Maryland and South Carolina. Prior to 麻豆原创, Howe spent 12 years at the School of Nursing at Clemson University and retired from there as an associate professor emerita. She began and spent most of her clinical career in intensive and critical care.

An active member in local and national nursing professional organizations, Howe recently served on the NLN Board of Governors for two terms and as president-elect of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Theta Epsilon Chapter. Howe was a member of the editorial board for Nursing Education Perspectives and reviewer for Journal of Nursing Education. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina, M.S.N. from Texas Woman鈥檚 University and B.S.N. from the University of Texas.

鈥淲e are deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Howe, who was an esteemed member of our faculty,鈥� said Dr. Mary Lou Sole, dean of the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing. 鈥淒uring her time at 麻豆原创, she made a lasting impression with her creativity in the classroom and dedication to students. Through her innovative teaching strategies and endowed scholarship, she will continue to touch lives and make a positive impact on nursing students at 麻豆原创 and beyond. It was a privilege to work alongside Linda, and she will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.鈥�

Honored for innovative teaching strategies

In October 2015, Howe was honored for her innovative teaching strategies and inducted as a fellow into the National League for Nursing鈥檚 Academy of Nursing Education. She was the creator of The Village, a unique, case-based approach to teaching pharmacology that engages students, increases understanding of content and encourages self-discovery. The teaching method is affordable and can be easily adapted to other subjects. As a result, it is currently in use in more than 70 schools in the U.S. and her article in Nursing Education Perspectives has been downloaded a few hundred times.

Howe also used the book 鈥淭he Other End of the Stethoscope鈥� to teach nursing values. Written by a man who was blinded and catastrophically injured at age 18, the book documents his experiences in the health care system. It helps students see things from a patient鈥檚 perspective, and teaches ethics, caring and patient education. She had presented her findings on this method at the NLN and several other venues.

Howe had received numerous other honors and awards throughout her career. Most recently, Howe was honored with the Heather Scaglione Award from the Florida Nurses Association, a Nursing Excellence award finalist from the Orlando March of Dimes, and a Professional Service Award from the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing.

Dedicated to students, leaves lasting legacy

A champion of nursing students, Howe served as the faculty mentor/consultant of the Student Nurses Association (SNA) chapter on the Orlando campus throughout her three years at 麻豆原创. Under her leadership, the SNA chapter became an award-winning chapter earning recognition at the state and national level for its commitment to community service and nursing. For the past two years in a row, the chapter was named the Diamond Chapter of the Year by the Florida Nursing Students Association. The chapter also earned the 鈥渟tellar chapter鈥� designation from the National Student Nurses Association.

In addition to supporting 麻豆原创 Knight nurses in the classroom and as a mentor, Howe, together with her husband John, recently established a scholarship to support future NICU nurses. The Elizabeth Marie Howe Memorial Endowed Nursing Scholarship was created in memory of their daughter who passed away after only a few short days of life. In honor of Dr. Howe鈥檚 life as a nurse and educator, memorial contributions can be made to this scholarship online or by calling the college鈥檚 Development Office at 407-823-1600.

Memorial service on Saturday, May 21

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at 3 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home & Cremation Services located at 895 S. Goldenrod Road, Orlando, Florida. Visitation will be held prior to the service starting at 1 p.m. Family and friends may share memories and leave condolence messages for the family on the funeral home鈥檚 website.

Grief counseling services are available to 麻豆原创 students through . 麻豆原创 employees can access grief counseling through the university鈥檚 .

The National League for Nursing (NLN) established the Academy of Nursing Education in 2007 to foster excellence by recognizing and capitalizing on the wisdom of nurse educators who have made significant contributions to nursing education. Fellows provide leadership in nursing education and in the academy, and support the vision of the NLN to promote standards of excellence in nursing education. In addition, fellows serve as important role models and resources for both new educators and for those who aspire to become nurse educators. With the 29 outstanding individuals in the ninth class of inductees, academy membership now totals 216. Mindi Anderson, an associate professor in the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing, is also a fellow.

鈥淭he National League for Nursing relies on these accomplished individuals as allies in聽our efforts to address the聽ongoing shortage of nurses and nurse educators,鈥� said Beverly A. Malone, NLN CEO. 鈥淣urse faculty and colleagues from other fields who contribute to excellence in nursing education and to the preparation of a nursing workforce that advances the health of the nation and global community deserve this public recognition and gratitude of all who are eager to elevate the status of the profession.鈥�

As a newly named fellow, Howe has been lauded for her innovative teaching and learning strategies. She is the creator of The Village, a unique, case-based approach to teaching pharmacology that engages students, increases understanding of content and encourages self-discovery. Furthermore, this teaching method is affordable and can be easily adapted to other subjects, such as health promotion and medical-surgical nursing. As a result, it is currently in use in more than 70 schools in the U.S. and her article in Nursing Education Perspectives has been downloaded 222 times.

Howe also uses the book 鈥淭he Other End of the Stethoscope鈥� to teach nursing values. Written by a man who was blinded and catastrophically injured at age 18, the book documents his experiences in the health care system. It helps students see things from a patient鈥檚 perspective, and teaches ethics, caring and patient education. She has presented her findings on this method at the NLN and several other venues.

鈥淚 am extremely proud of Dr. Howe鈥檚 innovative contributions to nursing education that have not only benefited our own Knight nurses, but have made a positive impact among nursing students nationwide,鈥� said Mary Lou Sole, dean of the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing. 鈥淗er creativity in teaching complex issues increases student engagement, and fosters skills for lifelong learning. She is well-deserving of this national honor.鈥�

Linda Howe, PhD, RN, CNS, CNE, has been an undergraduate associate professor at the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing for three years. Her research interests include nursing and institutional history, nursing education strategies, pharmacogenomics, and deep tissue injury prevention and healing. In her 30-year academic career, Howe has served in various faculty and leadership roles at universities and colleges in Maryland, South Carolina and Florida. She began and spent most of her nursing career in acute and critical care. She has received multiple awards for teaching excellence throughout her career.

An active member in local and national nursing professional organizations, Howe recently served on the NLN Board of Governors for two terms and currently serves as president-elect of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Theta Epsilon Chapter. Howe is also a member of the editorial board for Nursing Education Perspectives and reviewer for Journal of Nursing Education. She earned her PhD from the University of South Carolina, MA in Education from The Citadel, MSN from Texas Woman鈥檚 University and BSN from the University of Texas at Arlington.

In addition to supporting 麻豆原创 Knight nurses in the classroom and as a mentor, Howe, together with her husband John, recently established a scholarship to support future NICU nurses. The Elizabeth Marie Howe Memorial Endowed Nursing Scholarship was created in memory of their daughter who passed away after only a few short days of life.

The fellowships have been awarded by the NLN Board of Governors, the oversight body of the NLN Academy of Nursing Education. In a competitive application process, the Academy of Nursing Education Review Panel evaluates applicant contributions to innovative teaching and/or learning strategies; nursing education research; faculty development activities; academic leadership; promotion of public policy that advances nursing education; and/or collaborative educational, practice, or community partnerships.

鈥淒r. Kijek is an exceptional nurse leader who has had a distinguished career as a nurse and in nursing education,鈥� wrote Jean D鈥橫eza Leuner, a professor at the College of Nursing, in her letter nominating Kijek.鈥�

鈥淗er passion for nursing and her leadership have contributed immensely to the nursing profession,鈥� echoed Joyce Dorner, a retired associate professor.

Mary Lou Sole, interim dean of the College of Nursing, says that Kijek was 鈥渋nstrumental in the early development and growth of the nursing program at 麻豆原创鈥� and that she has been an activist in professional nursing organizations throughout her career.

Heather Scaglione, whose life was tragically cut short by a motor vehicle accident several years ago, was very active in the Florida Student Nurses Association. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to receive this award named for one of 麻豆原创鈥檚 former students,鈥� Howe said.

Under Howe鈥檚 leadership, the SNA Chapter at 麻豆原创 Orlando received the Stellar Chapter Award from the National Student Nurses Association, as well as several other state awards. She has also been a member of the American Nurses Association since she graduated from nursing school.

Sole notes 鈥淒r. Howe embodies the spirit and legacy of the Heather Scaglione Award as an articulate, compassionate, and charismatic leader of future nurses.鈥�

Kim Dever, who works with Howe as co-consultant to the SNA chapter at 麻豆原创 Orlando, says that 鈥淒r. Howe is a very 鈥榮tudent-centered professor鈥� who is dedicated to the professional development of our students. Her door is always open and she is at nearly every SNA event.鈥�

FNA awards are given annually at the FNA Membership Assembly. They recognize and reward Florida nurses by allowing fellow peers to nominate an individual or group within their profession to receive formal recognition. It is one of the highest honors to have bestowed upon as a professional nurse.

Article written by Ivanna Alayon