Awards

Bicentennial Medal - 2020

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2016

W. George Pinnell Award for Outstanding Service - 2002

School of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award - 2001

About Brenda L. Lyon

Dr. Brenda Lyon consistently demonstrated leadership in purpose-driven work to advance the practice of nursing; educate Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) to effectively implement the role (IUSON Adult Health CNS Program achieving top national ranking since 2000); enhance the recognition of CNSs and CNS practice nationally, and to develop substantive knowledge in the area of stress and coping.

Dr. Lyon was instrumental in establishing Indiana's statutory recognition of nursing's autonomous scope of practice in the 1970s and in the statutory recognition of CNSs as Advanced Practice Nurses in the 1990s; she served as President of the Indiana State Nurses Association (1977-81); she was a Founder of the Midwest Nursing Research Society Section on Stress & Coping and led the development of MNRSs first knowledge synthesis conference focused on stress & coping; and was a Founder of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. She is the author of numerous articles, book chapters and is the Co-Editor of Foundations of Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice.

Dr. Lyon had a private practice in nursing as a CNS focused on the diagnosis and treatment of stress-related physical illness from 1975 - 2013. She was a recipient of the Indiana University School of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award, the first Brenda L. Lyon Excellence in Leadership Award by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, which is awarded yearly, and the Indiana University W. George Pinnell Award for Outstanding Service. She was Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and in the American Academy of Practice-Nursing.

Brenda Lyon died in October 2020.