The Hampton University School of Nursing (HUSON) was recently awarded a $1 million gift, donated by HU Alumna Dr. Lois Price Spratlen’54 who passed away in March. Spratlen earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from HU. The funding is to establish The Lois Price Spratlen Endowed Chair (LPSEC) within the school, and the selected professor will focus on mental and community health research.

Upon the appointment, the first of its kind at the HUSON, the LPSEC will help to ensure the future of the mental and community health research focus at HU, as the school seeks to grow its profile and impact regionally and nationally, officials said.

 “This opportunity is momentous,” said HU SON Dean Deborah Jones. “It affords us the opportunity to expand our research projects to include mental, and community health research. This funding is also the impetus for our department broadening our reach and training students who can serve in the mental health community.”

A shortage of nurses who have advanced practice education and certification, and a challenge for schools to prepare graduates well versed in health care reform and maintaining wellness, are among the reasons why family and community mental health nursing was selected as the focus for the endowed chair.

Spratlen’s husband, Dr. Thaddeus H. Spratlen, and their daughter, Patricia Spratlen Etem, established the endowed chair position at HU. Lois Spratlen spent most of her career as a faculty member in psychosocial nursing at the University of Washington, Seattle. She will be recognized posthumously by induction into the Hampton University School of Nursing Hall of Fame in Spring 2014.

“The entire school of nursing faculty are eternally grateful to the late Dr. Lois Price Spratlen and family for their generosity,” Jones said.