Kay Jarrell was awarded the Legend of Nursing award at the March of Dimes Nurses of the Year Awards Gala, held in November 2004 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix. The award recognizes a registered nurse who has made a career/lifetime contribution to the nursing profession.
Jarrell gained attention several years ago, when The Arizona Republic followed her through campsites on the Salt River bed, where she gave medical attention to homeless adults and children.
Today, Jarrell is a nursing professor at ASU -- and operates a nursing clinic she established for the homeless at Central Arizona Shelter Services.
The clinic is staffed by ASU nursing students, who gain a unique learning experience while clients receive much-needed medical services and one-on-one attention.
Jarrell has dedicated her life to providing medical services to an increasing homeless population -- and by addressing the need for registered nurses in Arizona.
In addition to scholarship funds for Arizona nursing colleges, proceeds raised benefit the March of Dimes mission of preventing birth defects and infant mortality through research, education, community services and advocacy.
For more information about the March of Dimes Arizona Chapter, call
(602) 266-9933 or
log on to www.marchofdimes.com/arizona.
