They have so much in common, but most importantly, their friendship.
Drs. Martha Bradshaw and Betty Pond are both nurses who display their commitment to the discipline in every imaginable way.
Dr. Bradshaw, who has bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing, joined the Medical College of Georgia faculty in 1982.
Although she worked in labor and delivery at MCG, Dr. Bradshaw’s passion is teaching. “It’s fresh,” she said. “There’s always something new. I have the opportunity to cultivate new nurses, the opportunity to share my ideas on what makes good nursing practice, exercising the Golden Rule – treating patients how you would want to be treated,” she said.
Dr. Pond earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from MCG, then joined the faculty in 1981. But her education wasn’t finished yet; she went on to earn a doctorate in education, managing some savvy shuffling along the way to juggle work, family and school. “I could get [my daughters] off to school and be home when they got home,” she recalled. “When the kids went to bed, I could start doing my work, from about nine to 12.”
It helped that her husband encouraged her. “He was a big support,” she said.
Both women have left the faculty, Dr. Pond in 1994, when she retired to have more family time. Dr. Bradshaw left in 2004 to return to her Dallas roots, becoming associate dean and professor of nursing at Baylor University.
But they have maintained close bonds with MCG. They renewed their commitment during a Nov. 4 dinner in Augusta for founding members of MCG’s Milton Antony Guild. Guild members invest in MCG’s future by contributing to the university in their estate-planning. Drs. Bradshaw and Pond see each other often but were particularly gratified to get together for such a mutually meaningful celebration.
“Being a part of MCG helped me grow both personally and professionally,” Dr. Bradshaw said. “That’s why I am willing to help create more nurses through [my gift to] the nursing program.”
“Betty and Martha truly exemplify the values of the School of Nursing,” said
School of Nursing Dean Lucy Marion. “Their dedication, enthusiasm and support
are humbling and inspiring. Their generosity will help ensure that future
generations of nursing students will receive the best education possible, and
that deserving students will receive financial assistance to help set their
dreams in motion.”