Dianne Fuller, DNP, APRN, FNP-C is the 2014 recipient of the Dare to Care Award, presented on May 12th at the Honors for Nursing Gala at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. The Dare to Care Award is presented by University of Utah College of Nursing Alumni Association to a nurse who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the lives of others through volunteerism.
In 2001 Dianne Fuller worked with local advocacy groups and Salt Lake City Police Department officials to form a team of nurses trained to care for victims of sexual violence. In her practice Dianne often saw patients whose health had been severely impacted by past victimization. She believed that early intervention by caring nurses could reduce some of the long-term health consequences of sexual violence. With this in mind Dianne founded Salt Lake Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SL SANE), a non-profit organization providing care and forensic evidence to sexual violence victims. Creating a successful non-profit health care organization required untold hours of donated time and tremendous work by Dianne and many other wonderful nurses.
Dianne's most fundamental belief is that every person has value and deserves respect. She also believes that every person can make a difference in the lives of others. These beliefs influence her commitment to patient care and have been driving forces in creating and sustaining SL SANE. The organizational values she promotes are the very essence of nursing.
Dianne holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, is nationally certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner, and is a clinical professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing. She has been a faculty member with the College of Nursing since 2003. Dianne has been a registered nurse since 1977 and has practiced as a family nurse practitioner since 1981. Her primary focus as a nurse practitioner has been in the field of primary care for families with special interest in adolescent and adult reproductive health, both in rural and urban settings.
Dianne's love of bird watching, opera and caring for patients is greatly influenced by her father who was a country doctor. She is also an avid kayaker and is currently working on a goal to visit every national park in the 50 states.
Join us in congratulating Dianne on receiving the 2014 Dare to Care Award.