Cal State Palm Desert Nursing Instructor Wins Alumni Award From Vanderbilt University

Cal State University Palm Desert  Campus Nursing Instructor, Diane Vines, has received the Alma Gault Award for Public Service from Vanderbilt University, her alma mater.

The award was given for her Diane’s dedication to caring for underserved populations and for her work as founder and director of the CSUSB Nursing Street Medicine Program, which provides free healthcare services to individuals in the community through nurse and medical clinics, serving people experiencing homelessness and vulnerable populations in the Coachella Valley.

 She was honored in November 2023, with a Vanderbilt University School of Nursing  Alumni Award, given to nurses and friends who go to great lengths to support communities, education and health equity.

 Vanderbilt’s Alumni Award is  the highest award given by the school.

Vines credits the students she works with for much of her program’s success and says that she is thankful to be able to help them learn and to help support patient care. She helps nursing students better understand vulnerable populations through conversations and empathy, collaborates and coordinates efforts across more than 30 service organizations to improve care and reduce duplicate efforts.

“This award is only possible because I work with the most wonderful students who provide compassionate, empathic care to the most vulnerable people in the Coachella Valley,” said Vines. “They know the clients by name, remember personal details about their lives and needs, look them in the eye and care for their feet with foot soaks, recognizing that unhoused people walk an average of ten miles a day.”

 Through the CSUSB Nursing Street Medicine Program, nursing students triage patients, provide health assessments and assist with medication management. Students build communication skills and experience assessing patients’ needs.

Cal State Nursing Instructor Diane Vines.

Photo from Cal State University Palm Desert CA Campus