Middle Tennessee State University’s (MTSU) School of Nursing is proud to celebrate Dr. Lee, professor and National Healthcare Corporation (NHC) Chair of Excellence in Nursing, as a recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators. This national recognition honors nursing faculty who go above and beyond to inspire and support students—hallmarks of Dr. Lee’s exceptional career and impact.
Established by the DAISY Foundation, the DAISY Award recognizes not only clinical excellence but the critical role educators play in shaping compassionate, skilled nurses. Awardees are nominated by students for their commitment, mentorship, and ability to create meaningful learning experiences that prepare future nurses for the real-world demands of healthcare.
Dr. Lee’s innovative contributions to nursing education exemplify the spirit of the award. In 2017, she developed a unique clinical rotation titled Communication Skills for students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The course focuses on foundational communication techniques rooted in Motivational Interviewing—an evidence-based approach designed to foster empathy, build trust, and support behavior change in patients.
Leveraging her certification as a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Dr. Lee ensures students gain practical experience before stepping into inpatient mental health settings. Through structured role-playing exercises, students build confidence and clinical competence while learning to navigate emotionally complex patient interactions with compassion and professionalism.
Dr. Lee’s influence extends beyond curriculum design. Since 1989, she has taught at universities across the U.S. and Canada, consistently championing student success. Her academic background includes associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Western Kentucky University, a master’s from Emory University, and a PhD in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The nomination submitted by her students offers a heartfelt testament to her profound impact:
“Her deep-rooted passion for nursing made her inspiring and invaluable to learn from. She was always very thorough and kind throughout the semester. Content was thoroughly explained and demonstrated, and she always took time to provide feedback… Dr. Lee has a deeply rooted commitment to us as students, and to the profession that she has remained steadfast throughout our time at the school of nursing. She is the paragon of what a nurse educator and mentor should be. Her resolute support, empathetic and compassionate nature, and devotion to the success of students in and beyond the classroom are what make her an exceptional teacher, leader, and mentor.”
With The DAISY Award, Dr. Lee joins a distinguished group of nurse educators whose work shapes not only competent professionals, but compassionate caregivers. MTSU proudly honors her contributions and congratulates her on this well-deserved recognition.
For more information, see DAISY Foundation website.
