Dequilla (Dee) Hurt, who received her MSN from Neumann University in 2015, was awarded the Eastern PA Geriatric Society Nancy Tatum Award for distinguished geriatric service. The award was presented at the Union League in Philadelphia on December 5, 2016.

“I wasn’t expecting this award. It is a very nice honor,” Hurt said.

Hurt works at Prospect Park Health and Rehab Nursing Home which is part of the Crozer- Keystone Health Network. She has a background in nursing administration and geriatrics. 

For many years, Hurt ran her own geriatric care business. She then began to realize that she wanted to personally care for her clients, and she decided to return to school to obtain her BSN. She graduated from Drexel University in 2009 and received her master’s degree from Neumann six years later.

“Some people take a while to figure out what they want to be and that’s me,” she joked. Today Hurt is a nurse practitioner, a role that allows her to see her patients through their treatment.

“I wanted to see the patient through their care, to start at the beginning and see their progress. I really hit the jackpot. This is my niche,” Hurt said.

She has a love for her work and considers it much more than just a job. “When I walk into a patient’s room, I forget everything and they are my focus. It’s reciprocal therapy. I get therapy by just talking to them. That’s my reward,” Hurt said.

For the past several years, Hurt has lectured medical students at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). It was through her association with PCOM that she was nominated for the Nancy Tatum Award.

Mary Powell, associate professor and director of Graduate Nursing Program at Neumann University, was one of Hurt’s instructors and is very proud that her student was recognized for her work in the nursing field.

“Dee is so well deserving of this prestigious award,” said Powell.

Hurt keeps in touch with her Neumann professors and knew the University was a good fit for her the moment she came to campus.

“I chose Neumann after researching different places. I came to the campus for an open house and that really sold it for me. The tuition was reasonable too,” Hurt explained.