Browning receives VUSN Alumni Association Friend of Nursing Award

Tennessee Nurse, Winter, 2007

Louise Browning, CAE, former executive director of TNA, recently received the Friend of Nursing Award from the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Alumni Association. The award recognizes significant local, state or national contributions to the profession of nursing from an individual who is not a nurse or a Vanderbilt University School of Nursing alumnus. Dean Colleen Conway-Welch chooses the award recipient from nominations made by alumni and colleagues.

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Browning served as executive director of TNA from 1983 to 2004. With the help of dedicated members, she was successful in preventing encroachment on nursing practice by less qualified health care personnel and expanding through legislation and regulation the professional practice arena for registered nurses and advanced practice nurses.

Since her retirement in 2004, Browning has coauthored with E. Dianne Greenhill, EdD, RN, A 100 Year History of the Tennessee Nurses Association. She continues her devotion to public policy and politics and promoting the strong belief that professional nurses are the solution to many of the nation's health care and access problems.