Nurse Lawyer Receives the

MU Sinclair School of

Nursing’s Highest Alumni Award

Contact: Pam Roe
S218 School of Nursing
(573) 884-2690

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May 6 , 2004

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mavis Thompson, of St. Louis, was recognized as the MU Sinclair School of Nursing and the Nursing Alumni Organization’s Citation of Merit recipient at the school’s annual banquet on April 30, 2004. Thompson received the Organization’s most prestigious awards for demonstrating outstanding achievement in the nursing field and continuous support of the school.

No matter what career changes Mavis Thompson, BSN ‘79, JD ‘90, has made over the years, she is always first and foremost a nurse — one who cares for the sick, the weak and the indigent. She holds the unusual distinction of serving in two professions over the past 20 years and upholding the highest standards of each.

Thompson has served as a nurse since graduating from MU in 1979. In 1987, she decided to attend the MU School of Law and worked with several law firms that concentrated on personal injury, medical malpractice and product liability cases.

“The insight Mavis developed from her nursing school classes and practicum was very important when she looked into the care of patients and safety issues,” said Mary Gillespie, MU curator emeritus.

As a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri, she prosecuted Medicaid fraud cases. Her commitment to stamping out this injustice was fueled by her desire to improve the health-care profession and to provide access to indigent individuals who are in need of governmental support for their health care.

For 100 years, the MU Sinclair School of Nursing has graduated students with nursing expertise and knowledge that has benefited individuals and families across the United States. In honor of all alumni, the school hosted its 14th Annual School of Nursing Banquet and 100-Year Gala Celebration.

This gala was held to recognize those individuals who have elevated the reputation, research, teaching and service at the University’s school of nursing. Students, faculty, staff and alumni of the school were honored on April 30 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, Mo. in front of the crowd of more than 650. Alumni and friends of the school came from 16 states as well as the far corners of Missouri.

“The school’s annual banquet gives us a chance to honor those who have gone the extra mile and in the process elevated the bar of excellence in the field of nursing,” said Rose Porter, dean of the School of Nursing. “Mavis is an excellent example of someone who has gone the extra mile in combining two of her passions – nursing and law – into a career that benefits not only individuals, but entire communities and the state as a whole.”

Thompson is committed to dismantling racism, cultural bias and bigotry by conducting workshops in communities across the nation in an attempt to bring people together to live and work more effectively in our diverse world. She serves her community as a member of countless organizations where she fights for justice, equality, caring and human rights for everyone involved.

Currently, Thompson is a member of the health law practice group at the law firm of Sandberg, Phoenix & von Gontard. She also works part time as an OB/GYN nurse at DePaul Hospital in St. Louis. She enjoys international travel and has visited Africa, Brazil, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the Netherlands, Italy and France. Her personal motto is, “Each one must teach one.”

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