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Saluting the 2024 Leaders & Legends of Texas Nursing
Every two years, the Texas Nurses Foundation recognizes extraordinary Texas nurses who inspire and energize us — the Leaders & Legends of Texas Nursing.
To be eligible, Texas Nurses Association members, living or deceased, must have exhibited volunteer service to the association between the years of 1960 and 2000 that significantly contributed to TNA and health transformation locally, statewide and nationally.
An evening reception during this year’s TNA Annual Conference honored the Leaders & Legends of 2024.
MYRNA ARMSTRONG, EdD, RN, FAAN, ANEF
Joining TNA in 1982, Dr. Myrna Armstrong’s work in the association centered on the evolution of the nursing profession. She cites TNA and its emphasis on continuing education for being instrumental in paving the way for collegiality and encouraging nurses to be life-long learners.
[By] serving on many committees and task forces, writing articles, conducting CNE activities, and by believing in the mission and vision of the association… [she encouraged] her many students to follow her example and join and become engaged.
Highlights of her TNA involvement include the following:
A member of the TNA Education Committee and active within her district;
A respondent for the Institute of Continuing Education, Provider Accreditation Visit Member;
Chair for both the Council on Education and the Institute of Continuing Education; and
Recipient of multiple awards and accolades including serving as a fellow for both the Academy of Nursing Education and the American Academy of Nursing.
Throughout her career, Dr. Armstrong has received 32 professional honors, published 117 peer reviewed articles and 27 non-reviewed articles; written two books and contributed to an additional 20 books. She has managed 5 funded grants and 20 other funded research projects as well as serving as a grant reviewer for 22 other grants.
JENNIFER D. COOK PhD, MBA, RN
Joining TNA in 1978, Dr. Jennifer Cook has been involved in many areas of the organization including the Board of Directors. Her most profound activity centered on the Government Affairs Committee, allowing her to testify during hearings, meet with state legislators and help to push through TNAbacked bills furthering the nursing profession in Texas.
On the district level, Dr. Cook has been considerably active as well. She served as vice president, chair to multiple committees and a TNA House Delegate and vice president.
As a professional leader and organizer, Dr. Cook has been involved with other professional organizations, especially with the Sigma Theta Tau, Delta at Large Chapter, since 1984. These four decades of professional advocacy for scholarly work illustrate her love of lifelong learning. She has served as secretary, treasurer, and committee chair.
These four decades of professional advocacy for scholarly work attest to her love of lifelong learning… Dr. Cook’s genuine interest in the nursing profession, especially in TNA, is unquestionably monumental.
Other professional organizations have also benefited from Dr. Cook’s involvement including the National League of Nurses, the American Association of College of Nursing, the Hispanic Nurses Association, and San Antonio Nurses in Advanced Practice.
KATHLEEN STEVENS HAMILTON, RN, MS, EdD, ANEF, FAAN
Dr. Kathleen Stevens Hamilton has been a TNA member since 1972. Throughout the years, she served the association in multiple positions, including as a Board of Directors member, a member of multiple TNA committees, and executive director of District 9. In 2004, she was named “TNA Nurse of the Year” for the contributions she had made.
As a nurse educator, researcher, scientist, and leader, Dr. Stevens is committed to the advancement of nursing care and the nursing profession.
Dr. Stevens Hamilton’s investment in the future of nursing and healthcare is reflected in her honors and placements, including:
Being a Fellow in the Academy of Nursing Education and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing,
Receiving the National League for Nursing Award, Excellence in Nursing Education Research,
Serving multiple terms on the board of governors of nursing’s leading education professional association, the National League of Nursing,
Receiving the Episteme Laureate award from Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, the highest research award in nursing,
Being inducted into the International Nursing Research Hall of Fame.
She has won eight national education-focused grants to design, offer, and evaluate professional development. Her efforts center on amplifying the voice and views of nurses in local, regional, and national translational science endeavors.
ELOISA G. TAMEZ RN, PhD, MSCJ, FAAN
Although her nursing practice took her to Ohio, South Dakota and Puerto Rico, Dr. Eloisa Tamez always stayed connected to her childhood ties with the Rio Grande Valley community. Since returning to the area in 2000, she has shared with young people in her community the importance of selfreliance and never giving up on your vision.
As a TNA member, Dr. Tamez had multiple stints as president for two districts, served on the TNA Continuing Nursing Education Committee and was a provider applicant reviewer. She is the co-founder of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and the International Association of Latino Nurse Faculty/Nurse Leader. Some of her honors and awards include:
Appointment to the Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation at the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
A Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing;
Fellowships with the Department of Health and Human Services-Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the International Center of Research for Women;
Being named a Frederick Douglass 200 Diplomat with American University’s Antiracist Research and Policy Institute;
A recipient of the Henry B. Gonzalez Civil Rights Award.
Dr. Tamez encourages membership because TNA advocates for all nurses and the profession. She takes pride in having played a part in some critical moments in Texas nursing that were made possible by the efforts of TNA.
Dr. Tamez does not leave any student or nurse behind… Her compassion, empathy, and commitment to our community have always impressed me.
KATHY A. THOMAS MN, RN, FAAN
Since joining the Texas Board of Nursing as an education consultant in 1989, Kathy Thomas has held multiple leadership positions, including serving as executive director from 1995 to 2023.
Her TNA involvement included the Continuing Education Committee and district work. During her career, she also served on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and the Texas Health Professions Council. Specific to nursing workforce issues, Thomas spent time on the Center for Nursing Workforce Studies Advisory Committee, monitoring trends in education and employment.
Her dedication, leadership and tireless efforts to serve the public and her profession have left an enduring legacy for nurses in Texas and beyond.
Another theme in her career direction is the power of collaboration. Regarding her ties to both the Texas Board of Nursing and TNA, Thomas said that the value of the relationship between those two groups was listening to each other—doing the thing in the best interest of the profession and the public. This collaboration led to the passing of the nurse licensure compact, something she thinks had the most profound impact on both the profession and the public.
She was also a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and received the R. Louise McManus Award for significant contributions through the highest commitment and dedication, from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
