Two inducted into Nursing Hall of Fame

Benjamin Cuellar, dean of the College of Health and Human Services, left, with the family of the late Marilyn Hawkins.

Honoree Charlotte Brandt at the Hall of Fame plaque in McLane Hall.

The first two inductees into the new Central California Nursing Hall of Fame at Fresno State were honored at a ceremony on Sept. 15 in the Smittcamp Alumni House.

Marilyn Hawkins of Fresno, who passed away in 1999, and Charlotte Marvin Brandt of Bakersfield, who heads the school nurse assessment and support program for the Office of Kern County Superintendent of Schools, were honored.

 The Hall of Fame is a collaborative project involving nursing leaders and a triad of sponsoring organizations which includes Fresno State’s College of Health and Human Services; the nursing professional society, Sigma Theta Tau International; and the San Joaquin Nursing Leadership Council.

Hawkins and Brandt were selected for the award based on their significant contributions to the nursing profession, said Naomi Strom of Fresno State, a member of the Hall of Fame committee.

Hawkins began her career at Fresno Community Hospital in 1962 after earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Fresno State. At Sierra Community Hospital she advanced as a nursing supervisor, coordinator, director of nursing, and assistant administrator for patient care.

She completed her master’s degree from the University of San Francisco in 1985. In 1993, she oversaw the complete reorganization of Community’s operations. She held the position of chief nurse executive of the Community system and was named senior vice president and chief operating officer of Community Medical Systems in 1997, overseeing all aspects of the operations of the three-hospital system.

In addition, she was a highly respected nursing instructor and an educator in the field of organizational dynamics.

Community Medical Centers CEO J. Philip A. Hinton, calls Hawkins “a superb nurse in every aspect.”

Brandt earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of San Francisco in 1965 and her master’s degree in administration/health care administration from California State University, Bakersfield.

She started her career as a public health staff nurse in Kern County and in 1980 joined the Office of Kern County Superintendent of Schools. In addition, she runs a legal nurse consultant business.

Brandt was named California School Nurse of the Year in 1989 and Registered Nurse of the Year for the leadership category in 1999.   She was recently invited to be a member of the Academy of Fellows of the National Association of School Nurses Organization, which is the highest recognition that members of the profession of school nursing can achieve.

She has served as president of the Kern County School Nurses Organization, the Central Valley section and the California School Nursing Association.

Linda David-Alldritt, school nurse consultant with the California Department of Education, calls Brandt “a visionary leader for both the state and nation.