Alabama State University’s senior director of Health Services, Dr. Joyce Loyd-Davis, will be inducted into the Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame on Nov. 9. She is among eight nurses who were selected for this prestigious honor by a committee from the Capstone College of Nursing Board of Visitors who reviewed an extensive list of nominees before culling it down to just a few healthcare professionals.
“When I learned of my selection, I was elated and totally taken back because in my mind’s eye, just to be considered is an honor unto itself,” Loyd-Davis commented. “I never knew that people were following my career so closely, much less putting me up for an accolade that makes all of a lifetime of hard work worth it.”
BACKGROUND OF A WINNER
Loyd-Davis, a native of Millbrook, Ala., has been actively involved in the field of nursing for more than 27 years after having begun her studies at an early age.
“I began my career and interest in the healthcare profession as a student at Stanhope-Elmore High School. That (interest) continued until I received my D.N.P. (Doctor of Nursing Practice) from the University of Alabama,” said ASU’s top healthcare professional. “I must remark that not one of the many degrees that I earned would have ever happened if it wasn’t for the encouragement and push by my mother, Margaret Zeigler, who taught me that there is no more noble cause than to risk your health and welfare to fight diseases and help heal people.”
GREATEST HEALTHCARE CHALLENGE AND JOY AT ASU
Loyd-Davis explained that she has had many professional challenges throughout her professional life; but just as she began to work at ASU, the COVID-19 Pandemic hit the world with a fury,
“My number-one career highlight that I believe helped me obtain my position in the Nursing Hall of Fame is due to President Quinton T. Ross, Jr. hiring me in my position here at the University just as the Pandemic hit Alabama,” she said. “I had to use all of my skills and savvy to make sure we first kept our Hornet Nation Family safe and as unaffected as possible from COVID-19, which was made easier due to President Ross coming out before most any other university or government leader in 2019 with a solid plan to protect us through testing, careful procedures concerning campus access and vaccinations.”
Data confirms that ASU’s rate of COVID cases was kept to less than one-percent at the height of the Pandemic. When President Ross and his leadership team, including Loyd-Davis, passed the milestone of keeping the Hornet Nation healthy, the University turned its attention to safeguarding the community.
“The University’s work in a CommUniversity aspect under Dr. Ross’s leadership, allowed both ASU, me and my staff to shine as we obtained certification from the Alabama Department of Public Health as an official COVID-19 Center, which then allowed us to help with testing and vaccines with such community entities as the Montgomery Housing Authority, Montgomery Public School System, Hyundai Motors of Alabama, the general public and others, right from our Lockhart Gym that we transformed into an emergency COVID-19 treatment facility,” Loyd-Davis said with pride.
GIVES WINNING CREDIT TO ASU AND HARD WORK
Overseeing the University’s highly successful COVID-19 effort combined with 27 years of hard work is what Loyd-Davis feels secured her place in the Hall of Fame.
“Tapping into my inner resources and the inspiration of President Ross’s leadership is what has greatly aided me getting this honor on Nov. 9 in Tuscaloosa,” Loyd-Davis said with emotion. “As they call me up to get the award, I will be thinking of so many people here at ASU – including my nursing staff on campus — who all made it possible.”
