Gator Nurse Commits $100,000 for Scholarships
In the midst of UF’s Gator Nation Giving Day, the College of Nursing announced estate gift had been committed.
In the midst of UF’s inaugural Gator Nation Giving Day on Feb. 26, the College of Nursing made the announcement that a $100,000 estate gift had been committed to benefit nursing scholarships. The gift was made by Gator Nurse and Alumni Council member Ann-Lynn Denker (BSN 1973, MN 1974), PhD, ARNP, who wished to use the momentum of Giving Day to announce her gift in the hopes it would encourage others to give.
“Nursing has been more than just a career for me,” Denker said. “Nursing has opened so many doors, and the UF College of Nursing has inspired me and laid the foundation and belief that I could do more.”
Barbara Geiger, Ann-Lynn Denker, Anna M. McDaniel
Denker has served as a chief clinical officer, nurse educator, researcher, nursing consultant and health policy expert. She has extensive experience in clinical practice, education and research, including roles of pediatric clinical nurse specialist and director of research, privacy and clinical electronic systems. Previously, she served on the Florida Board of Nursing as chair. During her tenure, she served as a fellow of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, studying regulatory issues with an interest in quality and ethical issues around for-profit nursing education.
She said she is passionate about helping prepare the next generation of nurses. This gift is just one example of how she has bridged the gap to help make the dream of a nursing career possible for others.
“As a Gator Nurse, my career has been about caring,” Denker said. “I hope that my scholarship may help others in that tradition. I also hope that the recipients will recognize the world-class education they have received and the support that has been offered along the way. It is my sincere hope that they will, in turn, give back, not only to their patients, but also to the college that set them up for success.
