UNC School of Nursing hosts Preceptors Award Celebration Luncheon
December 1, 2025
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing, in partnership with the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC), held the inaugural Preceptors Award Celebration Luncheon on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill.
The event honored preceptors for their contributions to educating and mentoring future Carolina nurses. The program opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Lori Byrd, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE, Visionary of the Preceptors Award Celebration and Associate Dean of Strategic Partnerships and Practice. Additional remarks were offered by Dr. Valerie Howard, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN; Hugh Tilson, Jr., JD, MPH of NC AHEC; Dr. Rebecca Hill, PhD, DNP, FNP-C, CNE, FAAN; Dr. Felicia Mosley-Williams, DNP, MHAEd, MSN, RN, NCSN; and Dr. Stephanie Fisher, DNP, MSN, RN.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Carol F. Durham, EdD, MSN, BSN, RN, ANEF, FAAN, FSSH, Professor and Director of the Education-Innovation-Simulation Learning Environment at the UNC School of Nursing. Her presentation, titled “Thinking Like a Nurse: Strategies from Simulation and Leadership,” emphasized the importance of critical thinking, clinical judgment, and the use of simulation-based strategies to enhance nursing education and professional development.
More than 60 preceptors, faculty, and staff attended this inaugural luncheon, representing undergraduate, graduate, DNP, and NC AHEC programs. A highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the DAISY Award by Dr. Nancy Jo Thompson, DNP, MSN, RN, ABSN Program Director and DAISY Award Coordinator. The award recognized preceptors who exemplify excellence in patient care, teaching, and mentorship. Honorees included:
- Bethany Loy, RN – UNC SON BSN/ABSN Preceptor
- Schquthia Peacock, MSN, FNP-BC – UNC SON MSN Preceptor
- Anna Welch, DNP, FNP-C – UNC SON DNP Preceptor
- Emily Murray, RN – UNC SON AHEC-RN Refresher Preceptor
This successful event was made possible through the coordinated planning of Ms. Nedra Dixon, M.Ed, BS, BA, Executive Assistant to the Office of Strategic Partnerships and Practice, and Ms. Porshia Mizzelle, MBA, BS, AHEC Senior Support Specialist, both from the UNC School of Nursing.
The celebration served as a meaningful expression of gratitude and partnership, reinforcing the shared commitment of the UNC School of Nursing and NC AHEC to advance nursing education, foster clinical excellence, and strengthen the future nursing workforce in North Carolina.
