An honor among healthcare heroes

In a year marked by tremendous challenges and pressures for those working in the medical field, Leesha Ford, a nurse and clinical instructor for MSU, has been recognized for her efforts by receiving the Distinguished Nurse of the Year award. Students may recognize Ford from the classroom where she is a clinical nursing instructor on the MSU College of Nursing’s Bozeman Campus.

“Every nurse working during this pandemic is truly deserving of recognition and honor. There has been so much responsibility placed on nursing’s shoulders, and nurses everywhere, including our nursing students and faculty, are rising to the occasion,” Ford told MSU News Service. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have to serve on the Montana State Board of Nursing and in educating tomorrow’s nurses in our College of Nursing’s crucial nursing programs. Montana can be proud of its Bobcat nurses.”

Each year, an individual in Montana is named the Distinguished Nurse of the Year by the Montana Nurses Association (MNA). The MNA promotes professional nursing practice, standards and education. The Distinguished Nurse of the Year Award was established in honor of nurse Trudy Malone. Recipients of this award must be association members who demonstrate dynamic leadership, promote teamwork, improve patient care and have a keen awareness of and commitment toward nursing ethics.

“This award is a tremendous honor among my peers. Because nursing is not about one individual, it is about many superheroes who wear scrubs, not capes,” Ford said. “Nurses come to every table with an incredible education, excellent communication skills and honorable values to inform their decision making.”

Laurie Glover, a fellow member of the MNA, nominated Ford after recognizing her dedication to current issues in the nursing profession and consistent respect from peers, patients and students.

Ford pursued higher education at Purdue University Global, where she received a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s in nursing education. Ford also has an associate’s degree in nursing from MSU Northern and became a practical nurse through MSU’s Great Falls College.

Ford began serving as a clinical instructor in 2015 at the College of Nursing’s Great Falls campus. She then moved to the Bozeman campus in 2018. Her teaching interests include obstetrics, health policy and economics, pediatrics, foundations of nursing, nursing leadership and community service. Her excellence goes beyond just her teaching duties. Ford is also involved in outreach and research that focuses on child abuse prevention, violence in the workplace among peers, leadership in nursing, creative nursing education and obstetrics.

“It is not easy for nursing students, which is why so many people hold nurses in high esteem,” Ford said. “Have compassion and grace for all those around you, but most of all, yourselves. In a profession where exceptionality is the norm, allow yourself room to be human. And live by the triad: exercise, good food and sleep.  Studying is only effective if your mind and body are cared for!  (Does this educator promote appropriate use of napping? YES. And it should be guilt-free.)”