UA Nursing Professor Named "Outstanding Young Arkansan"

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, a clinical instructor at the University of Arkansas' Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, was named one of 1999's "Outstanding Young Arkansans" by the Fayetteville Jaycees at an awards banquet last month in Little Rock. Each year, young leaders from across Arkansas are recognized by the State Junior Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding leadership skills, professionalism, and community activism.

McHenry provides clinical instruction for psychiatric mental health nursing and teaches courses on the care of older adults for the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing and serves as the president of the Arkansas Directors of Nursing Administrators in Long-Term Care Organization. She was also appointed by Gov. Mike Huckabee to the Arkansas Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board and was part of the inaugural class of Fayetteville's "Young Top Five," a program developed by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.

"We're lucky to have Lepaine as an integral part of our nursing faculty," said Barbara Conrad, director of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. "She's a real leader that drives our students to excel and is a vital part of our program and the community - I'm just one of so many in Northwest Arkansas that is thankful she's here."

McHenry was awarded along with three other Fayetteville residents, including John Threet, Leana Houston and Blake Woolsey. "The fact that all four of the Fayettville Jaycees were chosen to be Outstanding Young Arkansans is demonstrative of the exemplary nature of each of these individuals," said Dennis Whittaker, the Fayetteville Jaycee's president in a prepared release. "Blake, LePaine, Leana and John are to be congratulated on their accomplishments."

McHenry, who received her B.S.N. from the University of Arkansas and her M.S. from the University of Oklahoma, has been a clinical instructor for the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing since 1993.

The Jaycees, a leadership development, community service organization for men and women ages 21 to 39, recognized four Fayetteville residents for their exemplary service to the Northwest Arkansas region.

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Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, 479-575-5874, lmchenry@comp.uark.edu

Christine Phelan, public relations coordinator , 479-575-3138, cphelan@comp.uark.edu