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Awards will be conferred during the 45th Biennial Convention in Washington, DC, USA

INDIANAPOLIS — Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) is proud to announce the nurses and healthcare professionals being honored for their contributions to professional excellence with the 2019 International Awards for Nursing Excellence. These awards —recognizing achievements in the fields of research, leadership/professionalism, education/technology, communications, nursing practice, and chapter activity/membership — will be presented during the 45th Biennial Convention, 16-20 November 2019, in Washington, DC, USA.

Sigma’s International Awards for Nursing Excellence are based on the society’s dedication to fostering high professional nursing standards, recognizing superior achievement, developing leadership, and encouraging creative work.

“Recipients of Sigma’s International Awards for Nursing Excellence are recognized by their peers for their superior achievement and dedication to the advancement of global health. I offer my sincere congratulations to these honorees and thank them for their contribution to our profession, as well as Sigma,” said Sigma President Beth Baldwin Tigges, PhD, RN, PNP, BC.

Sigma’s biennial convention attracts more than 2,000 Sigma members and global leaders in nursing to celebrate nursing’s rich heritage and build upon our successes, embracing the 2017-2019 Presidential Call to Action to Connect, Collaborate, and Catalyze. As Sigma’s largest event, the convention features outstanding plenary speakers, networking opportunities, and over 800 oral and poster presentations. To view details or register for the event, visit www.SigmaNursing.org/Convention.

2019 International Awards for Nursing Excellence Recipients

Amy J. Berman Geriatric Nursing Leadership Award
Linda S. Edelman, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
University of Utah College of Nursing
Salt Lake City, UT
USA

Audrey Hepburn Award for Contributions to the Health and Welfare of Children
Dianne C. Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN
Chief Talent & Global Strategy Officer, Centennial Professor of Nursing, Infectious Disease Institute Faculty
The Ohio State University College of Nursing
Columbus, OH
USA

Best Practice in Technology Award
Are you PreparED?
Darren Falconer, MHPEd, BSc (Hons) Nursing, RN
Lecturer
The University of Western Australia
Perth, WA
Australia

Capstone International Nursing Book Award
Advancing Relationship-Based Cultures
Mary Koloroutis and David Abelson
Published by Creative Health Care Management
Urbana, IL
USA

Chapter Communications and Publicity Award
Phi Pi Chapter
Anthem, AZ
USA

Daniel J. Pesut Spirit of Renewal Award
Cynda Hylton Rushton, PhD, RN, FAAN
Anne & George Bunting Professor of Clinical Ethics & Nursing
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Baltimore, MD
USA

Evidence-Based Practice Award
Orlando Health Center
Elizabeth Penoyer
Director, Center for Nursing Research and Advanced Practice Nursing
Orlando, FL
USA

Founders Award ― Edith Moore Copeland Award for Excellence in Creativity
Lynn Visser, MSN, RN, PHN, CEN, CPEN
Educator and Author
Loomis, CA
USA

Founders Award ― Elizabeth McWilliams Miller Award for Excellence in Research
Jaclene A. Zauszniewski, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN
Kate Hanna Harvey Professor in Community Health Nursing
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
USA

Founders Award ― Elizabeth Russell Belford Award for Excellence in Education
Mary T. Quinn Griffin, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF
Professor
Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
Cleveland, OH
USA

Founders Award ― Marie Hippensteel Lingeman Award for Excellence in Nursing Practice
Launette Woolforde, EdD, DNP, RN-BC
Vice President, Nursing Education and Professional Development
Northwell Health
New York, NY
USA

Founders Award ― Mary Tolle Wright Award for Excellence in Leadership
Hsiu-Hung Wang, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor
Kaohsiung Medical University
Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Hester C. Klopper Global Health Award
University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing
Tuscaloosa, AL
USA

Honorary Membership
Catherine Robinson-Walker, MBA, MCC
President
The Leadership Studio
Walnut Creek, CA
USA

Honorary Membership
Caroline Marian Santos Enriquez, MD, PeD, DBE
President
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City, Philippines

Melanie C. Dreher Outstanding Dean Award for Excellence in Chapter Support
Doreen C. Harper, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair in Nursing
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing
Birmingham, AL
USA

New Member Pillar Award
Rebecca Ehrig, BSN, RN
Registered Nurse
Omicron Epsilon Chapter
Omaha, NE
USA

Nursing Media Award for Other
Nursing #WeGotThis
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Marketing and Communications
Baltimore, MD
USA

Research Dissemination Award
Kristine M. Newman, RN, CRN(C), PhD
Associate Professor
Ryerson University, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing
Toronto, ON
Canada

Research Dissertation Award
Pressure Injury Risk Among Critical-Care Patients
Jenny Grace Alderden, PhD, APRN, CCRN, CCNS
Assistant Professor
University of Utah College of Nursing
Boise, ID
USA

Virginia K. Saba Nursing Informatics Leadership Award
Susan K. Newbold, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN, FHIMSS, FAMIA
Owner and Consultant
Nursing Informatics Boot Camp
Franklin, TN
USA

Board and Presidential Awards

Archon Award
The DAISY Foundation
Glen Ellen, CA
USA

Archon Award
World Bicycle Relief
Chicago, IL
USA

Nell J. Watts Lifetime Achievement Award in Nursing
Dr. Patricia E. Thompson
Retired Chief Executive Officer
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
Benton, AR
USA

Dorothy Ford Buschmann Presidential Award
Hester C. Klopper, PhD, MBA, RN, RM, FANSA, FAAN, ASSAF
Deputy Vice Chancellor: Strategic Initiatives & Internationalization
University of Stellenbosch
Matieland, South Africa

Lucie S. Kelly Mentor Award
Deborah Helitzer, ScD
Dean & Professor
Arizona State University College of Health Solutions
Phoenix, AZ
USA



About Sigma

The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is advancing world health and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. Founded in 1922, Sigma has more than 135,000 active members in over 90 countries and territories. Members include practicing nurses, instructors, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and others. Sigma’s more than 540 chapters are located at more than 700 institutions of higher education throughout Armenia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ghana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, the United States, and Wales. Learn more at www.SigmaNursing.org.

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