Anderson

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Gina Bailey and her daughter, Lainey Bailey, come from a long history of nurses who have served people in the community.

Gina’s mother, Toni Crum, was well known for her amazing career, as she supported mothers as they gave birth to their children. These three ladies have a special connection — not just because they are related but because they all attended Shepherd University and studied under the same professor, Charlotte Anderson, PhD, RN.

Crum became a nurse after getting a divorce. She was in her mid 30s and knew she had to start providing for herself and her daughter. After graduating, Crum had a very successful career and was known for saying, “I’m going to die in my nursing shoes!” She passed away in 2014 after not reporting to work and was found lying on her nursing shoes.

Gina, who works in the mental health clinic at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, remembered going to campus with her mom and meeting Anderson. When she started studying at Shepherd herself, Gina felt the pressure to live up to her mother’s legacy. When she decided to pursue nursing, she was in a relationship with someone who wanted her to go into education.

“I think I would have ended up becoming a nurse anyway,” Gina said. “It was one of those situations where someone said, ‘No, you can’t.’ And I said, ‘Yes, I can.'”

Gina Bailey (left) and her daughter, Lainey Bailey, both received nursing degrees under the direction of Charlotte Anderson at Shepherd University. Ainsley Hall

While Gina was at Shepherd, Anderson worked as a dean for the college. Anderson is known for developing Shepherd’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Gina respected Anderson for her leadership and passion for teaching and nursing.

“She was tough but was never mean,” Gina said. “I never took it as if she was being too hard on her students. She knew you could handle it and believed in all her students.”

Though Anderson retired in 2010, she continues to come back to support the program. So when Gina’s daughter, Lainey, was finishing her master’s degree, Anderson was there to help her complete her capstone. Lainey was inspired by her mother and grandmother to become a nurse. She wants to empower other women and help them as they give birth, just like her grandmother.

“Dr. Anderson inspired confidence in me,” Lainey said. “She made a point of telling me that my grandmother and my mom did it and so can I. Pursing nursing also made me feel a special connection to my grandmother. She was a huge inspiration for me.”

Though Lainey was only 11 when her grandmother passed away, she was inspired by her dedication to her work. Lainey graduated with the Director’s Award for having the highest GPA and inspired Gina to go back to school for her master’s.

Crum

From the moment Crum began her nursing program to Lainey’s graduation, 40 years have passed. Yet, Anderson has influenced three generations of strong, intelligent nurses who continue to impact the community. Though being a nurse is a demanding job, they are all proud to serve others.