Published May 9, 2022
The University of Louisiana Monroe School of Allied Health under the College of Health
Science held its annual Professional Business Luncheon Networking event and Awards
Ceremony on Tuesday, April 12 at Bayou Pointe, where 250 health science students,
healthcare community leaders, and faculty members attended.
The School of Allied Health presented Recognition of Excellence Awards during the
luncheon. The award winners include:
-Outstanding Faculty Award: Dr. Andy Allen
-Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award: Alexa Garlington
-Outstanding Graduate Student Award: Madelyn Hudnall
-Shining Star Award: Danielle Barton
-Outstanding Alumni Award: Brice Bruno
"I am so proud of the faculty and staff in the School of Allied Health. They are dedicated
to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals and scientists to change
lives in the world,” Dr. Donald Simpson, dean of the College of Health Sciences.
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Dr. Andy Allen
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Outstanding Faculty Award
The School of Allied Health presented the Outstanding Faculty Award to Dr. Andy Allen,
an associate professor and the clinical coordinator in the radiologic technology program.
The award honors a full-time faculty who demonstrates exceptional teaching effectiveness,
mentorship to students and other faculty, involvement in research, and service to
the community outside of campus.
He began his tenure at ULM in 2007 where he has maintained a strong commitment to
his students and the RT program. He is described by his peers as an outstanding teacher
who upholds extremely high standards in his courses and the classroom. Recently, Allen
led an extensive curriculum revision, which required the development of 13 new courses
that will better support student’s progression through the program. The RT curriculum
revisions were a major undertaking requiring extensive hours and time to ensure the
courses aligned with the RT national standards for best practice. In addition, Allen
created a comprehensive workbook with 31 medical imaging experiments that support
hands-on learning for his RT students.
“It is an honor to see my former students’ life achievements—graduate education, specialty
schools, professional advancement. Knowing that at one point in their education I
contributed to helping them become successful is extremely satisfying,” said Allen.
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Alexa Garlington, a medical laboratory science senior, received the Outstanding Undergraduate
Student Award. This award honors an undergraduate student who demonstrates exceptional
scholarship, character, and service.
Garlington will graduate in spring 2022. The MLS faculty describe her as a highly
motivated and bright young woman with budding leadership skills. She is a self-driven,
thoughtful individual and enthusiastically seeks ways to advocate for the MLS profession.
Garlington is active in the Louisiana Society for Clinical Laboratory Science as the
student forum chair for developing professionals. She also completed a prestigious
2021 summer internship at Mayo Clinic.
Other Outstanding Undergraduate Student nominees included Molly Easley, a health studies
management/marketing student, and Jordan Jones, a dental hygiene student.
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Alexa Garlington
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Molly Easley
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Jordan Jones
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Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Madelyn Hudnall, a speech-language pathology graduate student, received the Outstanding
Graduate Student Award. This award goes to a graduate student who demonstrates exceptional
scholarship, character, and service.
She has maintained a 4.0 GPA and is at the top of her class in the SLP program at
ULM. The SLP faculty describe her as an exceptional student who goes above and beyond
to support the program. She holds executive positions in her student organizations
and engages in many extracurricular events at ULM and in the community. Her faculty
note her impressive civic duties while successfully juggling her rigorous academic
responsibilities.
Also nominated for the Outstanding Graduate Student Award was Morgan Burks, a speech-language
pathology graduate student.
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Madelyn Hudnall
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Morgan Burks
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Danielle Barton
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Shining Star Award
Danielle Barton, an administrative coordinator for dental hygiene, received the Shining
Star Award. This award is given to a staff member in the College of Health Sciences
who demonstrates outstanding customer service, initiative, dependability, teamwork,
and a positive attitude.
Barton’s co-workers describe her as a dedicated staff member who seeks to provide
the best experience for the department and for the dental hygiene patients. She greets
everyone with a smile and embraces a positive tone for the clinic.
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Brice Bruno
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Outstanding Alumni Award
Brice Bruno, the vice president for WellStar Ancillary and Support Services, received
the Outstanding Alumni Award. This award recognizes an outstanding alumnus demonstrating
exceptional academic achievements since graduation and prominence in their professional
career.
Bruno is described as a model leader in his profession who demonstrates sincerity,
devotion, and a mature leadership style. He received his MBA at Jacksonville University
and his Bachelor of Science in Clinical Lab Sciences at ULM. Currently, he is the
Vice President of Lab Services at one of the largest health systems in Georgia, WellStar
Health System. During his career, he has demonstrated a track record of significant
accomplishments that resulted in cultural transformations and implementation of new
operational processes and facilities construction. Throughout the pandemic, he has
rallied and inspired his employees, developed new contracts, and initiated internal
processes that supported his patients and healthcare staff.
