Submitted by Sylvia Musgrove
BRISTOL —King University has announced the recipients of its 2022 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards.
First presented in 1890 and awarded annually by more than 70 colleges and universities throughout the South, the award honors the recipients’ high standards of character, integrity and service, and a commitment to creating positive change in their communities.
This year’s awards were presented to student Andrea Stansberry and to community member Dr. David Stevens during the university’s commencement ceremony.
Stansberry is a 2022 graduate of King University, with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a dream to work as a pediatric critical care nurse.
A native of New Market, Tennessee, she was a member of King’s cross country and track and field teams for four years, helping the women’s team win its fifth Conference Carolinas cross country championship in 2021.
Track and cross country coach Brandon Ellis said, “Andrea has been a best friend to everyone on the track and cross country teams. She has consistently and selflessly put the needs of others before herself. She doesn’t think twice before spending hours accompanying a teammate to the hospital or being a friend to lean on in times of need. She’s balanced a heavy nursing load while setting numerous personal best times on the track. She has been a light on our team and will be missed.”
Stansberry has been recognized for her service to Children’s Hospital in Knoxville as a longtime member of the Youth Board and by the City of Bristol for her volunteer spirit. Stansberry has been accepted to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nurse Residency Program.
“Throughout her years at King, we have seen Andrea’s motivation and determination in everything she does, from her studies in nursing to her community service work and her sport. Joy surrounds her, and others follow. She is a force on campus — engaging, mentoring and befriending others,” Chase Arndt, King’s director of student life, and Finley Green, career services director, said in a statement.
“Andrea is fed by her love for Jesus Christ and feels responsible for sharing that love by caring for all. She has helped with spiritual clubs on campus and is an example of Christian servant leadership and service,” the joint statement said.
Stevens served as the chief executive officer of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations for 25 years and now serves as CEO emeritus. Headquartered in Bristol, Tennessee, CMDA provides resources, networking opportunities, education and a public voice for Christian health care professionals and students.
Stevens helped develop an evangelism training program that taught 20,000 health care professionals how to share their faith in a health care setting. He also helped launch a nationwide network of community-based ministries that provides onsite discipleship, fellowship and outreach opportunities for local doctors. He has served as a spokesperson for Christian doctors and has conducted more than 1,000 interviews on NBC, CNN, NPR, BBC-World Television and other national outlets.
Stevens also served as director of World Medical Mission, helping mission hospitals around the world and providing medical relief. He led a team that treated 43,000 Somalis in the midst of war and led medical teams to treat more than 25,000 Sudan villagers to stop the spread of an epidemic, which led to opportunities to meet patients’ spiritual needs.
He served as medical superintendent and later as executive officer of Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya, for 10 years. During his tenure there, he directed a $4 million development plan, secured the installation of an $850,000 hydroelectric plant, oversaw the start of a nursing school, and doubled the size of the hospital. The community health care and development programs he designed at Tenwek are currently reaching more than a million Kenyans.
Stevens is the author of “Jesus, MD” and “Beyond Medicine,” and the co-author of “Leadership Proverbs” and “Servant Leadership.” He received his bachelor’s degree from Asbury University, earned a master’s degree in bioethics from Trinity International University, and graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He has served on the board of Asbury University, as a fellow of the Biotechnology Policy Council of the Wilberforce Forum, and on the advisory council of the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity.
“Creating the mission to change hearts in health care and the vision to transform doctors to transform the world, Dr. David Stevens bears a legacy that will be considered one of the most influential and important in the history of Christian Medical & Dental Associations,” said Josh Rudd, assistant professor of biology at King University.
“He’s committed his whole life to missions. There’s the act of service, then there’s the example. The act is vital, but the example has a life effect. Dr. Stevens has certainly made an impact on my life as I educate students at King University, and I would say he has impacted countless others as they incorporate service into their professional careers.”For more information about the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, visit https://sullivanfdn.org/awards. To learn more about King University, visit www.king.edu.
