AN EDUCATOR ON A MISSION
Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College is tremendously proud of faculty member Sara Kimmel, MSN, RN, for winning the 2022 St. Louis Magazine Excellence in Nursing Award!
Kimmel is an assistant professor in the Upper Division Program at Goldfarb, which is also her alma mater. "Since the first day in my teaching position, I felt like I was with family," Kimmel says. "Being able to be part of the journey with another person as they start or advance in the nursing profession allows me to 'pay it forward' in a way."
Before joining Goldfarb as a full-time faculty member in 2015, Kimmel was a staff nurse at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.
In addition to preparing students to become BSN/RNs as an assistant professor, Kimmel participates in multiple committees at Goldfarb, including the curriculum committee and student awards committee. She also serves as treasurer for the Faculty Organization.
In 2017, Kimmel was honored with the Ruth G. Franc Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching. This award is presented to a Goldfarb faculty member who demonstrates innovative teaching and learning approaches; motivates, supports and serves as a role model for students; and demonstrates evidence-based integration of theory and practice in teaching.
Kimmel engages with students in both clinical and classroom settings and provides individual mentoring for students. She guides her students to be proactive, open-minded and to see the big picture. She also inspires through her positive approach to life and teaching.
"Each day, we have the opportunity to make a difference in another's life," she says. "We need to ensure that each contact is positive, even when the discussions may contain opportunities for improvement."
Kimmel is known for her ability to make learning fun for her students. She incorporates novel ideas and concepts within the learning environment and readily shares this information with other faculty.
A first-generation college student in her family, Kimmel is now pursuing her PhD. Her planned research is to conduct a qualitative study exploring nursing care expectations from the perspective of individuals who identify within the transgender spectrum.
"While my journey to nurse educator has experienced many turns, valleys and detours, I know this is where I truly belong," she says. "I love teaching."
Congratulations, Sara Kimmel!
#YoureMadeForThis #GoldfarbMade