Awards
Rho Chapter Awards
Rho Chapter honors nursing excellence in members, students, and the local community in the annual awards program. The call for nominations is made in January.
CRITERIA AND HOW TO NOMINATE
Nominations are due February 15. Submit the online awards nomination form or you may download the awards nomination form
With the exception of the Student Leadership Award and the Friend of Nursing & Institutional Excellence Awards, all awards nominees must be Rho Chapter members. More information on each award is provided below.
Excellence in Research
- Conducts distinguished research in nursing
- Communicates nursing research findings
- Writes scholarly works related to nursing theory and/or nursing research
- Encourages research activities within Sigma Theta Tau, nursing, and/or the public
Excellence in Education
- Demonstrates excellence in teaching
- Advances the science of nursing through clarifying, refining, and/or expanding the knowledge base of nursing
- Promotes a theory/practice base for nursing curricula and nursing practice
- Influences scholarly development in nursing education, practice, and/or research through teaching.
- Influences the professional practice of nursing and the public's image of nursing through excellence in teaching
Excellence in Nursing Practice
- Demonstrates a breadth of knowledge in the area of clinical nursing practice
- Develops creative approaches to nursing practice that contribute to quality client care
- Possesses clinical expertise and the attributes of a clinical scholar
- Advances the scope and practice of nursing
- Serves as a mentor/preceptor that inspires peer's practice of nursing
- Influences the practice of nursing through communication
- Enhances the image of nursing through nursing practice
- Participates in community affairs, legislation, or organizations that affect nursing practice
Excellence in Nursing Leadership
- Receives local, national, and/or international recognition as a nursing leader in education, practice, administration, or research
- Influences leadership in nursing through visionary and innovative approaches to leadership
- Creates an environment that enhances the image of nursing
- Participates in the development of nursing leaders and leadership
Rising Star
This award recognizes a Rho Chapter member early in her/his career and who:
- Demonstrates potential to make significant contributions to nursing practice, education and/or research
- Exceeds expectations of current role
- Models behaviors of higher levels of practice
- Actively seeks out professional growth opportunities
Distinguished Service
This award recognizes a seasoned Rho Chapter member who has:
- Consistently demonstrated excellence in nursing practice, education and/or research
- Made an impact over time
- Significantly influenced and inspired others
- Modeled ideals of professional practice
- Demonstrated presence and engagement
- "Set the bar..."
Student Leadership
This award recognizes a nursing student who has:
- Successfully taken on a formal or informal leadership role
- Volunteered in community or hospital efforts
- Actively participated in university service or governance roles
Mentorship Award
This award recognizes a Rho Chapter member who has made a significant impact over time by:
- Actively shaping and promoting the career of a nurse or the development of the chapter
- Freely sharing personal resources for the growth and development of the individual or chapter
Friend of Nursing Award
This award recognizes an individual who actively promotes the values and goals of nursing and Sigma Theta Tau by:
- Supporting nursing legislation via public forums
- Favorably portraying nursing in the media
- Contributing funds to nursing schools, scholarship and/or research
- Cultivating others to support nursing and contribute to its development
- Cultivating interest in the profession of nursing
Institutional/Organizational Excellence Award
This award recognizes an institution or organization that actively promotes the interests of nursing as a profession by:
- Consistently portraying the value of nursing
- Demonstrating excellence in nursing recruitment and retention
- Promoting and/or supporting professional certification
- Contributing funds for nursing scholarship and/or research
- Cultivating others to support nursing and contribute to its development
Award Recipients
Excellence in Nursing Practice
See all past recipients
2024 Kayleigh Schwartz, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC
- 2022 - Tammy Ross, BSN, RN, OCN
- 2021 - Denise O’Brien, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, CNS-C and Andrea Ransom, RN, FNP-BC
- 2020 - Regi Freeman MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, FCNS
- 2019 - Lisa Ryan, MSN, RN
- 2018 - Suzanne Quallich, PhD, ANP-BC, NP-C, CUNP, FAANP
- 2017 - Lisa M. Newberry, BSN, RN
- 2016 - Annette M. Sandretton, MSN, ANPBC
- 2016 - Janet Pund, BSN, RN, BC
- 2016 - Robert Wonnacott, MSN, RN
- 2014 - Martha Zawacki McClain, RN, MSN, C
- 2013 - Marcia Hegstad, MS, RN, ACNS, CDE, BC-ADM
- 2012 - Mary A. Bonner, BSN, RNC-NIC
- 2011 - Christine M. Pionk, MS, RN, COHN
- 2010 - Mary Sue Webb, BSN, RN
- 2009 - Victoria Shieck, BSN, RN, CCTN & Madonna R. Walters, MS, RN
- 2008 - Susan Godell, MS, RN, ANP-BC & Emily Meuleman, MS, RN
- 2007 - Sheila Hay, BSN, RN, CHP
- 2006 - Maureen Goode Giacomazza, MA, RN & Linda K. Strodtman, PhD, RN
- 2005 - Sherry Bumpus, APRN-BC; Mary Lou Gillard, MS, RN, CDE; Mary Jo Kocan, MSN, RN, CNRN, CCRN; Jennifer Salerno, MS, RN, CPNP
- 2004 - Michaelyn Page, MS, RN, AOCN & Sue Fink, PhD, RN
- 2003 - Megan Eagle, MS, RN, CS, FN
- 2000 - Louise Grondin, MS, RN & Elaine McIntosh, MSN, RN
- 1999 - Elaine Fellows, MS, RN, NP
- 1998 - Lynn Gregory, MSN, RN, CS, FNP
- 1996 - Kay Louise Klymko, MSN, RN, CS
- 1995 - Linda Daniel, MN, RN
- 1993 - Terry VandenBosch, MS, RN
- 1991 - Jeanette Benson & Marie Neaton, MS, RN
- 1990 - Sheila Crowley, MS, RN & Barbara Hill, MS, RN
Excellence in Nursing Education
See all past recipients
2024 Valerie Spotts, BSN, RN
- 2021 - Nadia A. Charania, Ph.D., RN
- 2020 - Rhonda Schoville, Ph.D., MSBA, RN
- 2019- Diane Asher, MS, RN, FNP-BC & Michelle Pardee, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
- 2018 - Kathryn Nelson, DNP, RN, CPNP-AC/PC,
- 2017 - Bethany R. Lee-Lehner, BSN, RN
- 2016 - Jennifer Lee Pesenecker, BSN, RN
- 2015 - Richard W. Redman, PhD, RN, Professor Emeritus
- 2014 - Deborah M. Price, DNP, RN
- 2013 - Laurie S. Hartman, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC
- 2012 - Elizabeth Brough, PhD, RN
- 2011 - Cynthia Lynne Fenske, MS, RN
- 2010 - Trudy J. Esch, MS, RN & Iris Bickel Lagrou, MS, RN
- 2009 - Susan Clemen-Stone, MPH, RN
- 2008 - Ann Kruszewski, PhD, RN & Carol Williams, MS, RN-BC
- 2007 - Desiree Denise Blake, BSN, MPH, RN
- 2006 - Donna L. Algase, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 2005 - Elizabeth R. A. Beattie, PhD, RN
- 2004 - Ann Whall, PhD, RN, FAAN & Judith Wismont, PhD, MS, RN
- 2003 - Val Spotts, BSN, RN
- 1999 - Linda Strodtman, PhD, RN
- 1997 - Reg Williams, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 1996 - Bonnie Metzger, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 1995 - Lillian Simms, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 1993 - Diane Willis
- 1990 - Janice Lindberg, PhD, RN
Excellence in Nursing Leadership
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- 2023 - Barbara Medvec, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
- 2022 - Maria Bobo, DNP, RN WHNP-BC, CENP and Rhonda R. Schoville, Ph.D., MSBA, RN
- 2021 - Julie Juno-LaPan, MS, RN-BC, CNML and MaryAnn Adamczyk, MSA, RN, CNML
- 2020 - Bonnie Hagerty, Ph.D., RN
- 2018 - Suzanne Knight, DNP, RN
- 2017 - Juanita Perry, MS, RN
- 2016 - Louise Grondin, MS, RN
- 2015 - Candia Baker Laughlin, MS, RN-BC
- 2014 - Sharon L. Smith, PhD, RN
- 2012 - Marge Calarco, PhD, RN
- 2011 - Gay L. Landstrom, MS, RN, NEA-BC
- 2009 - Norma Sarkar, MPH, RN (award for Rho Chapter leadership)
- 2009 - Sandra Merkel, MS, RN-BC
- 2008 - Deanna Beyer, MS, RN
- 2007 - Barbara L. Brush, PhD, ANP-C, FAAN
- 2006 - Ada Sue Hinshaw, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 2005 - Barbara J. Guthrie, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 2003 - Victoria Averhart, MS, APRN, BC
- 1999 - Shaké Ketefian, EdD, RN, FAAN
- 1997 - Ruth M. Barnard, PhD, RN & Bonnie Hagerty, PhD, RN
- 1996 - Martha Funnell, MS, RN, CDE & Barbara A. Petersen, EdD, RN, CNM
- 1995 - Phyllis Grzegorczyk, PhD, RN
- 1994 - Sharon L. Woodcock, BSN, RN
- 1993 - Maureen Thompson, MSN, RN
- 1992 - Nadine F. Nelson, MN, RN
Excellence in Nursing Research
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- 2022 - Sarah Stoddard, Ph.D., RN, CNP, FASHM, FAAN
- 2021- Ellen Smith, Ph.D., RN, AOCN, FAAN2020 - Christopher Friese Ph.D., RN, AOCN, FAA
- 2015 - Milisa Manojlovich, PhD, RN, CCRN
- 2014 - Marjorie McCullagh, PhD, RN PHCNS-BC, COHN-S & Laurel L. Northouse, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 2013 - Sonia A. Duffy, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 2012 - Mary A. Nies, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAAHB
- 2011 - Jody Rae Lori, PhD, CNM, FACNM
- 2010 - Huey-Ming Tzeng, PhD, RN
- 2009 - AkkeNeel Talsma, PhD, RN
- 2007 - Lisa Kane Low, PhD, CNM, FACNM
- 2006 - Antonia M. Villarruel, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 2004 - Donna Algase, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 1996 - Barbara Therrien, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 1995 - Terry Vanden Bosch, MS, RN
- 1991 - Margaret Reynolds, PhD, RN, FAAN
Distinguished Service Award
See all past recipients
- 2023 - Francene Lundy, MSA, BSN, RN, NE-BC
- 2022 - Diane Ferguson, MSN, RN
- 2020 - Ann Kruszewski, Ph.D., RN
- 2016 - Janet Tarolli, BSN, RN
- 2015 - Mary Joan Kocan, MSN, RN
- 2013 - Judy G. McCook, PhD, MSN, CNS, RN-BC
- 2012 - Shaké Ketefian, EdD, RN, FAAN
- 2011 - Ruth E. Clark, BSN, RN, MPA
- 2010 - Carol Loveland Cherry, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 2008 - Elaine McIntosh, MSN, RN
- 2006 - Linda K. Strodtman, PhD, RN
- 2004 - Ruth Barnard, PhD, RN & Ann Kruszewski, PhD, RN
- 2003 - Roberta M. Asplund, BSN, MPH, EdS, RN
Rising Star Award
2024 Thea Senger-Carpenter, MSN, PPCNP-BC
- 2023 - Olivia Halabicky, PhD, RN
- 2022 - Carri Polick, Ph.D.(c), BSN, RN and Heather Jones, DNP, AGNP-C
- 2021 - Melissa Harris, BSN, RN, Ph.D.c
- 2020 - Grace Kanzawa-Lee Ph.D., RN
- 2018 - Alex Fauer, BSN, RN
- 2017 - Tayler Lenz, BSN, RN
- 2014 - Michelle L. Munro, Ph.D., CNM, FNP-BC
- 2013 - Sarah Louise Taylor, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC
- 2011 - April D. Bigelow, PhD, ANP-BC
- 2008 - Martha L. Merkel, MS, RN
- 2006 - Jennifer R. Cheng, NPH, MS, NP & Kimberlee A. Gretebeck, Ph.D., RN
- 2005 - Cynthia Arslanian-Engoren, Ph.D., RN
- 2004 - Alice Davis, Ph.D., RN
- 2003 - Heather Livermore, BSN, RN
Student Leadership
See all past recipients
2024 Linnea Brunvand, SN4 and Hannah Slawson, SN4
- 2023 - Winni Chen
- 2022 - Kailey Schmidt
- 2021 - Joyce Lee, Erika Folbe and Emily Jones
- 2020 - Hayley Flores and Brianna Finley
- 2019- Katelyn Scudder & Merideth Freiheit
- 2018 - Caroline Kremers, Austin Hill
- 2017 - Jennifer Zybert, BSN
- 2016 - Krista Myers, BSN
- 2016 - Tracey Thiel, BSN
- 2015 - Alexandrea Garbus, BSN, graduate student, Nurse Midwifery Program
- 2014 - Jennifer Ragnoni & Amanda Wenger
- 2013 - Emily Diepenhorst, Tatiana Hortig & Jessica Schultz
- 2012 - Gina Greco & Jennifer Wood
- 2011 - Melissa Bulic, Anna Evola & Kristin E Kingma
- 2010 - Lyndsy Brenner, Andree Engles, Taylor Griglak & Ross Zoet
- 2009 - Bridget Fil & Renee Schoenborn
- 2008 - Jacqueline Dufek & Amanda Jones
- 2007 - Renee Havey & Sharon Warner
- 2006 - Megan Finn
- 2005 - Julie Wilner
- 2004 - Paula Graff
- 2004 - Lina Sirgedas
- 2004 - Angie Henderson
- 2003 - Elise Erickson
- 2003 - Cathy Fanone
- 2003 - Ewuravena (Robbie) Menyah
- 2003 - Kierste Mundinger
- 2003 - Elizabeth Van Hall
Drickamer Student Mentorship
- 2023 - Chelsea Moore, MSN, APRN, CNP
- 2022 - Jennifer Riske, DNP, RN, FNP
- 2021 - Carri Polick, Kathy Sliwinski, and Vidya Thirumoorthi
- 2020 - Mitchell Keefer and Heather Kudalis
- 2019 - Breanna Keeney & Katie Burmester
- 2018 - Amber Prong and Karina Becker
- 2017 - Hassan Abbas, BSN & Rylie Haupt, BSN
- 2016 - Madeline Dahl, BSN
- 2015 - Emily Rice, senior nursing student, BSN Program
Mentorship Award
See all past recipients
2024 Meredith Smith, MS, AGACNP-BC, RN
- 2023 - Kari Szczechowski, DNP, RN, PCCN-K
- 2022 - Florence Johnson, MSN, MHA, RN and Ann Kruszewski, Ph.D., RN
- 2018 - Denise Saint Arnault, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
- 2017 - Catherine M. Scott, BSN, RN
- 2010 - Mary A. Nies PhD , RN, FAAN, FAAHB
- 2007 - Barbara Nevins-Soong, MSN, BSN, RN
- 2006 - Iracema Crawford, BSN, RN, CCRN; Lisa Falzetta, MS, RN & Beatrice Kalisch, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 2005 - Cynthia S. Darling-Fisher, PhD, APRN, BC
- 2004 - Ann Kaiser, BSN, RN
Friend of Nursing Award
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- 2022 - Olga Yakusheva, Ph.D.
- 2021 - Geoffrey Hoffman, Ph.D., MPH
- 2016 - Patricia Coleman-Burns, Ph.D., MA
- 2013 - Deborah Lauseng, BS, AMLS
- 2009 - Ruth Barnard, PhD, RN & Marge Van Meter, MS, RN
- 2008 - Cecilia Sauter, MS, RD, CDE
- 2006 - Edward Goldman, JD
- 2004 - FRIENDS of the U-M Hospitals
Recognition Awards
- 1983 - Judy Judd, MSN, RN
- 1981 - Mary Ann Swain, PhD; Mary Owens, MSN, RN; Norma Marshall, MS, RN; Mary Lohr, EdD, RN
Excellence in Nursing Awards
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- 1989 - Lois Gage, PhD, RN, FAAN & Mary Lindquist, MS, RN1988 - Rhetaugh G. Dumas, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 1987 - Linda Lee Daniel, MN, RN; Elizabeth Nolan, MS, RN & Linda Vader, MS, RN
- 1986 - Ruth D. Carey, MS, RN; Mayble E. Craig, MS, RN; Mary L. Hunter, MS, RN; M. Irene Clark Woodman, MS, RN
- 1985 - Barbara A. Donaho, MS, RN; Jenny R. James, MS, RN; Helen L. Keezer, MS, RN; Phyllis M. Patterson, MS, RN
- 1984 - Beatrice J. Kalisch, EdD, RN, FAAN; Susan J. Miller, MSN, RN & Cecilia J. Trudeau, MS, RN
- 1983 - Ingrid Deininger, MS, RN &Joanne Disch, MS, RN
- 1982 - Linda K. Strodtman, MS, RN
- 1981 - Carolyne K. Davis, PhD, RN, FAAN
- 1980 - Helen Berg; Helen Erickson, MS, RN
- 1979 - Lillian G. Ostrand, MPH, RN
- 1978 - Susan B. Steckel, PhD, RN
- 1977 - Marjorie M. Jackson, MS, RN
- 1976 - Mary Reynolds, MS, RN
