University Medical Center's (UMC) Anita Farmer has worked in the nursing profession at UMC for 38 years. She was recently honored by the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) and presented the 2010 Nurse of Distinction Award at the 72nd Annual THA meeting.

A nurse who has transitioned into non-clinical positions, Farmer is described as "the epitome of a nurse." In her current role, she is responsible for ensuring quality care is delivered while fiscally responsible initiatives are met. With a focus on core measures, she checks everywhere to find the required documentation and then takes it to the next step - educating staff on the right thing to do and why.

Early in her career, Farmer was influential as a recruiter for the hospital, convincing many new nurses to become part of the UMC team. Although her primary position currently focuses on quality and performance improvement, she is always willing to assist staff, whether individually or by participating in hospital educational fairs and emergency drills.

Farmer's contribution to quality and performance improvement cannot be overstated. Her continuing efforts on compliance with core measures has not only made a substantial improvement in patient care, but has also had a significant impact on cost reduction and containment.

When talking with Farmer about the award, she stated, "I am extremely honored to have been selected for this award; however, the greatest honor is that it was in the category for nursing. I love nursing and patient care, and although the job I currently do requires a nursing degree, many people do not know that I am a nurse, because I don't do direct patient care. I am honored that there are those people like Janelyn Knowles, RN, who 'remember' the years I did spend doing direct patient care. Although we worked very hard during those days, I think nursing now is so much harder in some ways. There are so many entities that 'guide' patient care anymore, so not only do you have to have great nursing skills, but organizational skills, time management and writing ability to get everything you have done down on paper."

Farmer continued, "I have worn many hats over the years as a nurse from nursing tech to an interim as Director of Nursing at the McFarland Hospital. However, my heart has always been in the emergency room There, you can make an immediate impact on taking care of patients, and hopefully relieve their pain and suffering. I am honored to receive this award and hope to be able to represent all of nursing at UMC."

Named Nurse of the Year at UMC in 2009, Farmer received an associate's degree at Middle Tennessee State University. She and her husband, Glenn, live in Lebanon and have two children, Patrick and Lauren.