May 15, 2009 - The Association of California Nurse Leaders recently named California State University, Bakersfield professor Amy Hedden as Kern County Nurse Educator of the Year. Hedden, who is also a registered nurse, was nominated for the award by the CSUB department of nursing for her outstanding classroom and technical teaching abilities. Hedden also received the Gupta Education Award.

The event program noted that Hedden has been recognized by the Board of Registered Nursing as a "content expert in pediatrics. Amy has a heart for the children of Kern County. Topics dearest to her include childhood obesity, local access to critical care for children, and the improvement of air quality with a particular emphasis on asthma." Hedden is active in Sigma Theta Tau, the nursing honor society, and lends her time and talent to numerous health-related organizations.