Celebrating a Generational Legacy of Service
Posted on November 24, 2025 by College of Nursing
The University of South Alabama College of Nursing community mourns the passing of alumna, Mrs. Natalie Rene' Broadus Anusiewicz (BSN' 86), who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, after a six-year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
This loss is felt deeply across the College and the University, reflecting the extraordinary, multi-generational contributions of the entire Broadus family, whose commitment to nursing education and patient care has profoundly shaped our institution for decades.
A Foundation Built on Service
Natalie Anusiewicz's life was characterized by compassionate service and dedication, values exemplified throughout her family's history with the College of Nursing.
Natalie graduated from the University of South Alabama in 1986 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She went on to pursue a meaningful career that included clinical nursing in several states and, later, a significant role as a Director of Care Transitions at Kindred at Home / Kindred Hospice. Her leadership also extended into the community, where she served for over 25 years as Director of the Eastern Shore Optimist Club's Dogwood Trail Pageant and Scholarship Program, fostering confidence and potential in countless young women. She faced her personal journey with ALS with remarkable courage and grace.
The Broadus Family: Pillars of Nursing Education and Philanthropy
The commitment to excellence in nursing began with Natalie's mother, Mrs. F. JoAnn Broadus, a figure synonymous with the College's success. Mrs. Broadus retired in 2004 after 25 years with the University and over 40 years as a nurse educator. She served as the Chair of the Maternal-Child Nursing Department and as the Coordinator of the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist Track.
Mrs. Broadus's impact has been widely recognized, including her induction into the Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame in 2007 and her receipt of the Distinguished Service Award at USA in 2010. Furthermore, her dedication lives on through the JoAnn S. Broadus Endowed Scholarship, a fund established by the family to provide financial assistance to promising College of Nursing students.
Natalie's sister, Dr. Cheryl Broadus Robinson, further cemented this legacy. A distinguished alumna and former faculty member, Robinson served the University for over 17 years. Her dedication is honored through the Dr. Cheryl Broadus Robinson Clinical Practice and Research Scholarship, which supports students pursuing the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. The entire family, including Natalie's father, Stephen E. (Gene) Broadus, has been generous, long-time supporters and friends, ensuring the mission of the College of Nursing continues to thrive.
A Tribute to Courage
The family's deep, enduring connection to the University underscores a collective commitment to health and education. The College of Nursing joins the entire USA community in expressing condolences to Natalie's husband, David Anusiewicz; her children, Emily, Colleen (Bill), and Jacob (Gracie); her parents, Gene and JoAnn Broadus; and her siblings, Barron Broadus, Cheryl Robinson, and Angela Cocke.
Heather R. Hall, PhD, RN, NNP-BC, Dean and Professor of the College of Nursing, offered the following statement: "On behalf of the faculty and administration in the College of Nursing, we honor the memory of Natalie and her legacy to the nursing profession. Her dedication to serve as a mentor for young women in communities across Baldwin County will be remembered by all who knew her."