May 19, 2004

'Jody' Demeyer Leaves More Than $1 Million For Nursing Chair

JoAnna “Jody” DeMeyer, a longtime leader in professional nursing as both an administrator and educator who passed away in March 2004, has left a gift in excess of $1 million to Boise State University to establish the first endowed chair in nursing in the state of Idaho. The JoAnna “Jody” DeMeyer Endowed Chair for Nursing will provide a continued source of revenue for Boise State’s department of nursing to recruit nationally recognized nursing professors who are outstanding in their respective fields. Boise State’s nursing education program is the largest in the state of Idaho with 523 current students. DeMeyer recognized that the continued development and improvement of the Boise State nursing department’s education of professional nurses is a key component to meeting the health-care needs of Idaho residents. As an Idaho native herself, DeMeyer’s intention was to “expand, enhance and perpetuate the hallmark of nursing excellence in education, practice and leadership at Boise State University among students and faculty,” according to a statement she prepared before her death. She envisioned this endowed chair to “advance the professional nursing programs at Boise State University, the professional nursing community and the health-care needs of the community at large.” In speaking about DeMeyer’s generosity, Dr. James Girvan, Dean of the College of Health Sciences said, “Jody dedicated her life to improving the health of people everywhere, especially in Idaho. The Jody DeMeyer Endowed Chair for Nursing is a direct reflection of her enthusiastic vision for inspiring students and educators to always seek quality and excellence. Needless to say, we are indebted to her beyond measure for this unselfish gift that will enhance nursing education at Boise State University and the community at large in perpetuity.” Hired as a nursing instructor by the St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1954, DeMeyer was instrumental in transitioning nursing education over to Boise Junior College, where she became a founding faculty member. She went on to a distinguished career as a nursing educator, hospital administrator and community leader. She was known for never losing sight of the value of quality nursing education for the delivery of excellence in patient care. After retiring from her position as vice president for Patient Care Services at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, DeMeyer successfully recruited a group of business leaders, educators and health-care professionals to found the Boise State University Friends of Nursing. This group has raised $4.5 million for nursing scholarships and library resources, and continues its efforts today. DeMeyer received her baccalaureate degree in nursing from the University of Oregon in Portland, now known as Oregon Health Sciences University, and her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Washington. She did post-master’s work at the University of California at San Francisco and held academic appointments at the University of Utah, Idaho State University and Boise State University. She was active in the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education for Nursing, the original 911 Task Force for Emergency Medicine for Ada County, and was a member of Sigma Theta Tau National Nursing Society. DeMeyer’s community service contributions were extensive. She was instrumental in helping establish the Humphreys Diabetes Center in Boise and served on its board of directors for many years. She belonged to numerous professional nursing organizations, and she had recently donated land from the original DeMeyer estate in West Boise for a city park. Boise State officials are working with DeMeyer’s longtime friend and colleague, JoAnn T. Vahey, to establish the JoAnna “Jody” DeMeyer Endowed Chair for Nursing. -30- Contact Jennifer Neil Boise State University Foundation 208 426-2927 jenniferneil1@boisestate.edu Media contact Pat Pyke Boise State communications and marketing 208 426-1987 ppyke@boisestate.edu