Bernadette Sobczak: Winner of the 2024 Marie Lindsey Spirit of Advanced Practice Nursing Award

Unanimously created by the 2005 ISAPN Board of Directors, the Marie Lindsey Spirit of Advanced Practice Nursing Award honors the legacy of ISAPN's first-ever president, Marie Lindsey.  

Dr. Lindsey has been a voice of strength, wisdom, knowledge, and leadership for Advanced Practice Nurses for decades. Even before her tenure with ISAPN, Dr. Lindsey was a front-line force in the pursuit of legislation to recognize Advanced Practice Nurses in Illinois. 

What Makes a Winner?

This award embodies the ideals of Dr. Marie Lindsey. The award criteria required to be nominated brings a spotlight to the true nursing leaders of Illinois. Bernadette has personified these ideals, bringing life to the legacy of Dr. Lindsey. 

Award Criteria:

• Exemplifies excellence and serves as a role model for other APRNs.
• Significant contributions towards improving patient care.
• Creative and effective approach to addressing advanced practice nursing issues.
• Application of current evidence-based practices to enhance quality of care.

Introducing The 2024 Marie Lindsey Spirit Award Winner: Bernadette Sobczak

Bernadette Sobczak is an Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator for Nurse Practitioner Programs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is also the Program Director for the Federal Nurse Education Practice Quality Retention-Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Program. 

Not only is Bernadette active in nursing education, she also participates in clinical practice as well as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. 

When it comes to preceptorship and clinical training of nurse practitioners, Bernadette believes in formal education. 

“Formal preceptorship programs and academic and healthcare organization partnerships must support nurse practitioner training. Nurse practitioners are invaluable to our healthcare system, yet we still compete fiercely with PA and MD programs for clinical training positions. Very few formal residency-type training exists for NP students. I would wholeheartedly support tax breaks for preceptorship. Also, all states in the union should allow for full-practice authority.”

What Makes Bernadette A Winner?

Bernadette has been a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for 16 years. She has researched the impact of COVID-19 on pandemic toddler and infant development, as well as the impact of formula shortages on breastfeeding rates in the United States. 

Bernadette’s nomination statement outlines exactly what makes her a winner of the Marie Lindsey Spirit of Advanced Practice Nursing Award:

“Dr. Sobczak and I have worked together as Faculty at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing for over 13 years. She serves as the nurse practitioner clinical site coordinator, spearheading the Preceptor Incentive Program and continuously advocating for improving clinical placement processes. Dr. Sobczak recognizes the essential role of preceptors by establishing an annual preceptor award, allowing students to nominate preceptors based on their positive experiences, thus giving them well-deserved recognition for their commitment to educating future healthcare providers. 

In addition, Dr. Sobczak secured an HRSA Grant that covers the entire South Region, with a focus on preceptor development. She also practices as a Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner in Belleville, Illinois, where she regularly precepts students and enhances their learning through her exemplary practice. She has created numerous DNP project opportunities at her clinical site, leading to improved patient outcomes in the region. 

Beyond her clinical and academic roles, Dr. Sobczak is the lead faculty member for global service experiences to Guatemala and serves on the Board of ER Abroad. Her innovative nutrition clinic initiative has introduced global telehealth to the Land of Hope Community, improving health outcomes. Her research through this platform has earned her recognition, and she is being published for her work on global nutrition. 

 Dr. Sobczak consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership and dedication in her roles as a faculty member and clinical provider. We are honored to present this award to her.”

Not only is Bernadette an outstanding APRN, but her values as a mentor and nurse set her apart as well. 

“I hope to role-model the importance of mentorship, global health issues, and research to our profession. My values are compassion, honesty, life-long learning, and leadership.” 

Congratulations Bernadette Sobczak! 

 
ISAPN is proud to have members like Bernadette Sobczak leading the way in the advancement of healthcare. It is leaders like Bernadette who make nursing a profession full of heroes.

“What an honor to earn an award named for an incredible nurse leader like Dr. Marie Lindsey. I hope to continue to model the leadership and advocacy that Dr. Lindsey has demonstrated through the years to advanced practice nursing,” Bernadette Sobczak. 

Congratulations to Bernadette for winning the 2024 Maria Lindsey Spirit of Advanced Practice Nursing Award! 

Join ISAPN and become a part of a network of nursing professionals dedicated to advancing the nursing profession. Together, we can build on the foundation laid by visionaries like Dr. Maria Lindsey and celebrate the accomplishments of individuals like Iesha.