Two at Southeastern are named to Nursing Hall of Fame
by: Rene Abadie
HAMMOND – Two nurses associated with the Southeastern Louisiana University College of Nursing and Health Sciences were named (Feb. 22) to the Louisiana Nurses Foundation Hall of Fame.
Current dean of the college Ann Carruth of Hammond and retired nursing professor Cynthia Prestholdt of Baton Rouge were inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 13th annual gala of the foundation and the Louisiana Nurses Association in Baton Rouge. They join two retired faculty members named to the Hall of Fame: former Dean Donnie Booth and Interim Dean Barbara Moffett.
After serving more than a year as Southeastern's interim dean, Carruth was named dean of the college two years ago. A professor of nursing, she is a member of the Board of Commissioners for North Oaks Medical Center, which nominated her for the recognition. Prestholdt, who served as interim department head of Southeastern's Baton Rouge Center and coordinator of the Graduate Nursing Program, retired from Southeastern in 2006, but continues to serve the nursing profession as a research consultant and mentor to nursing staff on clinical nursing research projects.
Carruth earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Southeastern, a master's degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the doctor of nursing science degree from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.
She is the recipient of numerous awards, including being selected a "Top Nurse" in 2011 by the Tangipahoa District Nurses Association. In 2003, she was the recipient of Southeastern's President's Award for Excellence in Research and a Nightingale Award as the Outstanding Nurse Researcher by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation.
Much of Carruth's research work has focused on the safety and health of farm families and agricultural workers. She has also written for several professional journals on topics such as ethics, law, disciplinary actions and productivity in the practice of nursing.
She serves as a volunteer with several civic and community organizations, including as a member of the board of the Northshore Healthcare Alliance. She has also served on the board of the American Heart Association of Tangipahoa Parish, chapter secretary for Phi Kappa Phi and several nursing associations.
Prestholdt graduated with her undergraduate nursing degree and master of public health nursing degree from the University of Minnesota. She received her doctorate from LSU in the area of vocational education with a focus on adult education and in psychology and adult development and aging.
Prestholdt has served over the years as a volunteer with community and professional groups. She has volunteered to perform vision and hearing screenings in school health centers. Following Hurricane Katrina, she worked nights at the Katrina Special Needs Center at the LSU Fieldhouse. She has served on the Fetal Infant Mortality Review Program and as a board member of the HIV/AIDS Alliance in Baton Rouge and the Louisiana State Nurses Association. A member of the League of Women Voters, she helped conduct the initial study that led to the establishment of East Baton Rouge Emergency Medical Services.
Among her honors, Prestholdt has been recognized as one of the 100 Distinguished Alumnae of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Volunteer of the Year two times by the Louisiana State Nurses Association, the Baton Rouge District Nurses Association's Helen Johnson Cremeens Excellence in Teaching Award and as one of 25 nurses recognized by the association for outstanding professional achievement in nursing.
