Denese Shumaker exemplifies the mission of Baptist Health Sciences University and the nursing profession through her many contributions as an educator, a practitioner, community leader, and mentor to countless nursing students and colleagues.

After receiving her diploma from the Baptist School of Nursing, she embarked on a career with Baptist lasting 46 years. During those years, she served as a staff nurse, instructor at the Baptist Memorial Hospital-Medical Center, chairman of Maternal/Child Health Nursing, and the executive director of Administrative Services at Baptist Health Sciences University. She also coordinated the opening of the Hope Health Center, a primary health care clinic for the homeless in Memphis.