Dr. Peggy Hodge, a professor and chair of the Department of Nursing, was named the Marian Palmer Professor of Nursing effective July 1.

“Dr. Hodge is a distinguished leader of our nursing program, who has made extensive contributions to the University and community,” President Shirvani said. “Marian Palmer was a beloved member of the community and loyal University supporter,” said Shirvani. “In many ways, Dr. Hodge’s dedication to the University and community mirrors that of Ms. Palmer.”

Palmer served on the California State University, Stanislaus Foundation Board of Directors for a decade and was also a founding member of the Emanuel Medical Center Auxiliary, one of the largest hospital volunteer groups in the region. Palmer’s passion for helping others is carried on through the Marian Palmer Nursing Scholarship Endowment.

Prior to coming to CSU Stanislaus, Hodge was a clinical nurse scientist at the University of California Davis Medical Center. Her research interests are focused on the effects of high-stress work environments. She continues to work with the Center for Research in Primary Care at UC Davis and the Department of Health Services on health policy issues related to minimum nurse to patient ratios. Her clinical area of expertise is in emergency nursing and trauma critical care.