Sherri (Simms) Homan
Sherri (Simms) Homan, BSN '84, MS(N) '87
Despite not pushing herself to her fullest potential when she started her undergraduate career, when Sherri (Simms) Homan became interested in clinical research there was no holding her back.
"She mentioned to a faculty member that she had an interest in research," says Verna Rhodes, emeriti nursing professor. "Since I had a multi-site, two-state study starting, this individual connected the two of us. And all I have to say is ‘What a find!'"
Prior to coming to MU, Homan had received her ADN degree from Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph, Mo. But embarking on her BSN degree didn't stop her from seeing the picture of her whole life - working as an RN to finance her education, purchasing property with her husband, Barry, helping to care for her father who lived "independently" in St. Louis area, and being a model aunt for her young nephew.
However, what impressed Rhodes the most was Homan's work ethic and her ability to remember the individual patient while focusing on the larger picture. She became the first master's student to graduate from the School with research that was already funded.
Over the years, Homan's quest for learning has continued both academically and clinically. Both her clinical and research expertise has been strengthened by experiences on cancer prevention and early detection at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, New Hampshire.
In 2009, Homan was appointed the Interim Chief of the Office of Minority Health at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. In addition, as a professional registered nurse, family nurse practitioner and having served as the screening coordinator for the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center for several years, she has a strong clinical background in nursing.
From this clinical foundation laid in her undergraduate and graduate programs at MU, Homan contributes to research endeavors in her areas of expertise.
As Homan continued her education and career, she focused on oncology, chronic disease as well as health promotion and prevention. This includes serving as a consultant to a funded NIH research project on breast cancer lymphedema at MU with nursing researcher Jane Armer.
"Sherri is helping us develop strategies for increasing recruitment and retention of women of color in the study," Armer says. "This is a critical aspect of the study in terms of external validity and the extent to which the study findings can be generalized to fit other population groups."
Perhaps a lesser known fact about Homan is that she is an outstanding vocalist and performs Karaoke - whether it's the Blues or Gospel, she can hold her own on a stage. She also performs occasionally with her sister who sings professionally in California.
She also enjoys antiquing in her spare time, along with developing their Columbia, Mo., farm into a multi-faceted Botanical Park and Gardens. The transformation of their tree farm into a botanical park is a life-long mission and the Homans continue their dream of it being the epicenter for an outdoor venue in Missouri. The park now contains a covered event Pavilion, restrooms, parking, several garden rooms, managed wildlife and forest preserve, Koi ponds and water features and other sustainable agricultural practices.
No matter the twists and turns her personal and professional lives make, Homan finds a way to see the trees and the forest. For the individuals are just as important as the whole both in agriculture and public-health nursing.
"Her leadership and intellectual skills in the arenas of nursing and public health makes her an outstanding role model for all practicing nurses and nursing student," Armer says.