International Awards for Nursing Excellence

Chapter Communications and Publicity Award

2017 Recipient

Upsilon Chapter #018

New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing
New York, USA

Upsilon Chapter at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing was founded in 1961 as Sigma's 18th Chapter. During its 56 years, Upsilon has remained a vibrant and integral part of the NYU and New York City nursing community. With a robust communication plan that includes email (Upsilon, NYU Meyers), social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), websites (The Circle, NYU Meyers), multimedia (NYU Meyers monitors, Dean's Desk), and a new newsletter (Upsilon News!), Upsilon has increased attendance at events and overall member engagement with the chapter.

2015 Recipient

Rho Delta Chapter #410

Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery Pakistan

Rho Delta Chapter has a comprehensive body of work for chapter communication and publicity this biennium. The chapter has used every form of multi-media — email, newsletters, membership brochure, Facebook, Twitter, websites, flyers, display tables, and event announcements. They have had a consistent presence in their community showcasing their chapter through displays at their affiliate hospital, a community NGO, and an orphanage for International Nurses Day, World Children’s Day and partnered events.

Ethel Palmer Clarke Award for Chapter Excellence (Founders Award)

2017 Recipient

Rho Chi at-Large Chapter #428

HAN University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Nursing Studies; Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Healthcare Studies; Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Academie Gezondheidszorg; University of Applied Sciences Utrecht; Utrecht University, Department of Nursing Science
Netherlands

Rho Chi at-Large is committed to engaging, educating and mentoring its members. The chapter has embraced technology to promote membership recruitment, re-engagement, retention, and community engagement. Rho Chi is determined to connect with members, even using Skype to include everyone. Their strategic plan reflects thought and foresight into chapter and member goals. Rho Chi at-Large Chapter is an exemplary Sigma leader!

2015 Recipient

Pi Gamma Chapter #385

Mercer University Georgia Baptist College of Nursing Georgia, USA

On 18 May 1998, the Nursing Honor Society of Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University was officially chartered as the Pi Gamma Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. The chapter celebrated 17 years of active service in May 2015. The chapter currently has 201 active members. Pi Gamma Chapter accepted its 8th Chapter Key Award during the 43rd Biennial International Convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, in November 2015. While we struggle with the same issues as many chapters (member retention and participation), we strive to provide a meaningful experience for our members. Our members live out the STTI mission daily, to advance world health and celebrate nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. Our dedication, perseverance, and hard work have led to this award.

Melanie C. Dreher Outstanding Dean Award for Excellence in Chapter Support

2017 Recipient

Jane Marie Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN

Dean and Professor
University of Maryland School of Nursing
Maryland, USA

It is truly an honor to receive this award. I have been very fortunate to work with exceptional nurse leaders in multiple Schools of Nursing and their passion for advancing the mission of STTI is contagious.

Since 2013, Jane Marie Kirschling has served as dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing and director of interprofessional education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She previously held faculty positions at the University of Kentucky, University of Southern Maine, University of Rochester, and Oregon Health Science University. A member of Pi Chapter, Kirschling chaired the STTI Foundation Board (2003-2005), co-chaired the International Advisory Council of Chief Nursing Officers and Deans (2007-2009), and is a Virginia Henderson Fellow and Billye Brown Fellow. From 2012-2014, she served as President of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Board. Kirschling is an alumna of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Executive Fellows Program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Viterbo College and her Master of Science in Nursing and PhD degrees from the Indiana University School of Nursing.

2015 Recipient

Patrick R. Coonan, RN, EdD, NEA-BC, FACHE

Dean and Professor Adelphi University, College of Nursing and Public HealthNew York, USAAlpha Omega Chapter #046

Dr. Patrick Coonan is the inaugural Dean at the College of Nursing and Public Health at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, and has an extensive and comprehensive history in nursing leadership and education. He has held senior administrative positions at educational institutions and major medical centers in the New York metropolitan area and in addition to academic administration, has been the chief nurse executive of an academic medical center, a multi facility health system and a teaching community hospital. His previous academic experience includes administrative and teaching positions at Columbia, Rutgers, Long Island and Pace universities, where he developed technology enhanced learning and community based clinics, as well as teaching management, informatics, critical care, and emergency nursing. He has written and presented on numerous management and leadership topics, technology implementation, educational partnerships, program development, measurement and evaluation of education, and healthcare system operations.

New Member Pillar Award

2017 Recipient

Tracy Schwab, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner
Kent State University College of Nursing
Ohio, USA

I am so honored and humbled to receive this award. My involvement in the Delta Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International has truly enhanced my practice as a nurse leader through scholarship, philanthropy and networking. I truly believe the best way to affect change is to lead by example.

After graduating magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve University with her BSN in 2008, Tracy began her career at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus in Cardiothoracic ICU, specializing in heart/lung transplant and cardiac assist devices. Additionally, she has held several part-time positions to enhance her experience in nursing, including adjunct clinical faculty for Cuyahoga Community College. This spring Tracy received her MSN, with a specialization as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, at Kent State University College of Nursing. Prior to graduating, Tracy accepted a position at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center as a Heart Failure ICU NP. She is very active in her chapter, Delta Xi. Following her 2016-2017 term as Student Leadership Intern, Tracy will transition into the Webmaster/Publicity chair position. Tracy is passionate and committed to the promotion of global health and wellness and believes, “the best way to affect change is to lead by example”.

2015 Recipient

Jerico G. Alicante, MAN(c), BSN, RN, CNN

Training Specialist for Research and Development Health Care Corporation of America - Health ConnectionsPhilippinesAlpha Eta Chapter #029Tau Nu Chapter #443

Jerico Gamiao Alicante, MAN(c), BSN, RN, CNN, is a training specialist for Research and Development at Health Care Corporation of America – Health Connections based in McKinley Hill, Taguig City, Philippines. He was a critical care nurse intern at the University of Perpetual Help Dalta Medical Center and became instructor of medical-surgical nursing at Our Lady of Fatima University. He is board-certified in nephrology nursing and has served as a member of board of directors for Renal Nurses Association of the Philippines. He is an active member of STTI's Alpha Eta and Tau Nu chapters. In May 2015, Jerico was elected to the Alpha Eta Chapter board of directors’ Leadership Succession Committee for the 2015 to 2017 term. Mr. Alicante, a Virginia Henderson Fellow and a Billye Brown Fellow, is being considered for the upcoming Who's Who in the World® 2016.

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