Jane Holston, professor for Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing, died on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. She had served as a faculty member in the school’s nurse practitioner program for 11 years.

 Holston was first a Samford University alumna, having earned her Master of Science in Nursing in 2004; she later joined the faculty in 2010. As the coordinator of the emergency nurse practitioner program and an instructor in the school’s nurse practitioner residency program, she impacted the lives and careers of countless students. 

“In 2019, Dr. Holston earned her emergency nurse practitioner certification, and because of her expanded expertise, Samford was able to establish the emergency nurse practitioner program,” said Mike Hardin, Samford University provost and vice president. “Her commitment to academic excellence and continuous learning afforded hundreds of Samford nurse practitioner students the opportunity to gain skills necessary to care for patients with great need.”

“Her legacy will live on through them and the patients they serve.”

Holston aided in nursing students’ academic experience outside of Samford as well. She was a contributing author for two emergency nursing textbooks, numerous research publications and presentations, and a concussion educational video which has been used across the country. In addition, she served as the Alabama state representative for the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP).

Holston worked as a nurse for 26 years, serving the last 17 years as a nurse practitioner. She most recently maintained her clinical skills as a nurse practitioner at an orthopedic urgent care clinic and a pain management clinic. Early in her career, she worked in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Brookwood Baptist Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. During that time, she also served as coordinator of the family support program, which cared for families who were experiencing the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.

A calling to care for others during life’s difficult moments is an attribute those closest to her say was evident in all aspects of her life.

“Jane exhibited God’s love to her students and fellow faculty and staff. She cared deeply for those around her and was often the first to step in to help others in need,” said Melondie Carter, dean of Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing. “She will be deeply missed.”

In the days following her death, faculty within the nursing school founded the Jane Holston Nurse Practitioner Scholarship in her memory. The scholarship will be utilized to support an emergency nurse practitioner student with designated need.

“She was our nurse practitioner. If any of us or our kids had an illness, we would call Jane for consultation,” said Jill Cunningham, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing associate dean of graduate programs. “Her love and care for others was unrivaled. As you look around, you can clearly see the impacts she made and the trail she left behind – a trail of kindness, compassion, faith, joy and inspiration.”

Holston’s faithful legacy will continue to be felt across Samford’s campus and the nursing community for years to come.

If you would like to make a gift to the Jane Holston Nurse Practitioner Scholarship in her memory, you can donate online or by contacting Victoria Allen, senior advancement officer, at vallen2@samford.edu.