College of Nursing Student, Alumna Receive Lyman T. Johnson Constituency Group Torch Bearer and Torch of Excellence Awards
College of Nursing alumna LaJava Chenault, MSN, RN, receives the Torch of Excellence Award.
The University of Kentucky Alumni Association’s Lyman T. Johnson Constituency Group awarded undergraduate nursing student Simone Curd and alumna LaJava Chenault, MSN, RN, the Torch Bearer and Torch of Excellence Awards at its 26th Annual Homecoming Awards Celebration on Oct. 7 at the UK Alumni House.
The reception commemorated the 67th year of an African American presence on UK’s campus. Nursing senior Simone Curd, recipient of the Torch Bearer Award, was recognized for her academic achievement and positive impact on the lives of others in the community.
Darlene Welsh, PhD, MSN, RN, assistant professor and assistant dean of undergraduate faculty affairs, nominated Curd and describes her as “a leader who makes significant contributions to the success and well-being of others. With her rigorous academic schedule and intensive responsibilities as a nursing student, she manages to find the time to serve her college, university and community. We are so proud of her and her many accomplishments,” says Dr. Reed.
Curd served as the nursing class president during her sophomore year. She is a member of the Student Nurses Association and was appointed service coordinator and secretary for the UK chapter. As a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, she has engaged in service to the community by feeding the homeless at Rupp Arena and volunteering with God’s Pantry. She also attends the Lexington chapter of the National Black Nurses Association in addition to volunteering at William Wells Brown Elementary helping students with reading, school fairs and other classroom activities.
College of Nursing alumna LaJava Chenault, MSN, RN, received the Torch of Excellence Award for her faith, hard work and determination that has impacted the UK campus and beyond.
“For more than 40 years working as a nurse, Mrs. Chenault truly believed in the mission of St. Joseph’s Hospital,” says Kerrie Moore, alumni and annual giving coordinator, Chenault’s nominator. “She was and still is an advocate for nurses everywhere.”
A first generation college student, Chenault always knew she wanted to be a nurse because of her interest in math and science, human behavior and caring for others. Her career began at St. Joseph Hospital (SJH) in Lexington before moving to El Paso, Texas where she worked for one year. She rose to evening shift supervisor before returning to Kentucky and SJH. She was encouraged to complete her BSN from the University of Kentucky and her MSN from the University of Phoenix to obtain a higher leadership role at SJH, where she worked in several roles, from staff and charge nurse, to unit manager and house administrator and director to vice president of nursing.
Chenault is active in several professional nursing organizations such as Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nursing, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the Kentucky Organization of Nurse Leaders and the Lexington Chapter of the Black Nurses Association. She was recently named the “Lay Person of the Year” by her church, where she serves as the Health and Wellness Coordinator. Chenault is a member of the Bourbon County Medical Outreach Committee that helps underserved senior citizens in the community. She also serves as a member of the Dean’s Diversity and Inclusivity Advisory Council and the Clinical Nurse Leader Advisory Council.
