May 31, 2023 - Dr. Tamatha Arms, associate professor in the School of Nursing, has won the school’s DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty. The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that celebrates colleges and schools of nursing faculty for their commitment and inspirational influence on their nursing students.
In an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination form, one anonymous student wrote, “I cannot count the number of hours this faculty member has put into me or my peers as students. She held our hands when we needed it and pushed us to do better when we wanted to leave well enough alone. And she always, always made sure we knew she was on our team. She was ready to advocate for us, ready to highlight our potential, and never once considering that each and every one of us wasn't capable of greatness. She was forever reaching into the most creative spaces to develop assignments that not only meet course and program objectives but do so in engaging and thought-provoking ways.”
The student also noted that, “Arms is transparent about the high standards she holds as she continuously reminds students of the responsibility and privilege that coincide with the role we are being prepared for. I have always found it so incredibly inspiring that she encouraged us to take risks in our learning: assist with research, join organizations, and participate in grant attainment. Her enthusiasm showcased just how many facets there are in the nursing profession. She does it all! She puts blood, sweat, and tears into the next generation of the nursing profession through education. She is kind and compassionate. She is bold and assertive. But most importantly she is genuine and humble. She exhibits all the best qualities that make up a nurse and mentor.”
The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of an autoimmune disease. The Barnes family was awestruck by the clinical skills and compassion of the nurses who cared for Patrick, so they created this award to thank nurses everywhere. Anyone can nominate a full-time UNCW School of Nursing faculty member who is a registered nurse.
An adult and geriatric nurse practitioner, Dr. Arms began her nursing career as a certified nursing assistant after receiving her ADN from Eastern Kentucky University. She went on to earn her RN-BSN and MSN from UNC Greensboro.
More recently, Dr. Arms graduated from East Carolina University with her PhD in May 2020. In 2013, she earned her DNP in psych-mental health from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Her clinical dissertation focused on integrating primary care and mental health care in the outpatient setting and her research interests include mental health in the older adult. A part-time lecturer since 2011, Arms was brought on full-time as an assistant professor in 2013 to teach mental health and gerontology to Prelicensure nursing students. More recently, she has begun teaching in the DNP program with courses such as clinical leadership and methods of evidence-based practice.