It is with great sadness that I must inform you that Bernardine M. Lacey, EdD, RN, FAAN passed this morning. She will be eternally missed. I will advise if I receive any other update from the family.

Charlotte 

MNA President

Dr. Lacey’s Bio

In 1994, Dr. Bernardine Lacey was appointed Professor and founding Dean to the School of Nursing at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She remained in that position until June 30, 1999. On July 1, 1999, she was appointed Special Assistant to the President of Western Michigan University. She returned to the Maryland area in 2000 to rejoin her family. Subsequently, she accepted a position as Professor and Chair, Department of Nursing at Prince George’s Community College, Largo, Maryland. She resigned from this position in May 2002, and accepted the position as Executive Director of Children’s National Medical Center, School Health Program.

In August 2004, Dr. Lacey transitioned from the position as Executive Director of Children’s School Services, to accept the position as Chairperson, Department of Nursing at Bowie State University. Her reputation as a nurse and nurse educator is unmatched in the nursing profession. In 1964, in her career at Howard University/Freedman’s Hospital, she advanced from staff nurse to administrative supervisor.

Among her most prestigious honors was her selection as Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 1990. The Distinguished Alumna in 1993 from Georgetown, University. In addition, her most recent awards include the Legacy of Leadership Award from Howard University. In October 2014, Dr. Lacey was inducted as a “Living Legend” by the American Academy of Nursing. Upon her retirement from Western Michigan University, two generous donors awarded the University 1.5 million to establish an endowed chair in Community Health Nursing.