NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS YEAR-ROUND!
We now accept nominations on a rolling basis to allow ongoing recognition of outstanding contributions in nursing.
Nomination Deadlines:
- Awards for the Current Year: Nominations submitted by May 31 will be considered for presentation in that calendar year.
- Extended Consideration: Nominations submitted on or after June 1 will be considered for the next two award cycles.
Award Types and Nomination Retention:
- Career Lifetime Achievement Award: Offered annually, with nominations remaining valid for two years.
- Other Awards: Offered biennially, with nominations retained for two award cycles.
Make Your Nominations:
- Do you know an alum of the U-M School of Nursing making a significant impact in nursing or health care? We invite you to nominate individuals for the following distinguished awards. Award recipients will be recognized at the UMSN Nursing All-Class Reunion on Friday, October 16.
- Core Required Nomination Materials
- Complete Google Form nomination
- Nomination Statement
- Nominees’ Curriculum Vitae or Resume (abridged version)
- Two letters of support
- CAREER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (Awarded Yearly)
- This award recognizes current or retired U-M School of Nursing nurses who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to nursing excellence. Honorees have made outstanding contributions as clinicians, educators, leaders or administrators while actively supporting the school’s mission and vision. Nominees should engage in alumni networking, demonstrate social responsibility and show leadership through events. The recipient impacts nursing locally and globally and is celebrated for innovations enhancing patient care.
➡️ Submit Your Nomination for the Career Lifetime Achievement Award
- This award recognizes current or retired U-M School of Nursing nurses who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to nursing excellence. Honorees have made outstanding contributions as clinicians, educators, leaders or administrators while actively supporting the school’s mission and vision. Nominees should engage in alumni networking, demonstrate social responsibility and show leadership through events. The recipient impacts nursing locally and globally and is celebrated for innovations enhancing patient care.
- EARLY CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (Awarded in 2026)
- This award recognizes a U-M School of Nursing alumni member making bold strides early in their nursing career. Within 10 years of earning their nursing degree, this individual is already contributing meaningfully to the profession through research, policy or practice. Nominees are emerging leaders gaining recognition beyond their workplace, advancing the field through scholarly activity and innovations that improve nursing practice and patient care.
➡️ Submit Your Nomination for the Early Career Achievement Award
- This award recognizes a U-M School of Nursing alumni member making bold strides early in their nursing career. Within 10 years of earning their nursing degree, this individual is already contributing meaningfully to the profession through research, policy or practice. Nominees are emerging leaders gaining recognition beyond their workplace, advancing the field through scholarly activity and innovations that improve nursing practice and patient care.
- EXCELLENCE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE AWARD (Awarded in 2026)
- This award recognizes a U-M School of Nursing alumni member delivering exceptional, evidence-based care and honors those who bridge theory and research with clinical expertise. Nominees foster collaboration among colleagues and advance care through data-informed strategies. They are leaders who inspire those around them while demonstrating the vital role of nursing in improving health outcomes and strengthening health systems.
➡️ Submit Your Nomination for the Excellence in Clinical Practice Award
- This award recognizes a U-M School of Nursing alumni member delivering exceptional, evidence-based care and honors those who bridge theory and research with clinical expertise. Nominees foster collaboration among colleagues and advance care through data-informed strategies. They are leaders who inspire those around them while demonstrating the vital role of nursing in improving health outcomes and strengthening health systems.
- EXCELLENCE IN NURSING RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP AWARD (To be Awarded in 2027)
- This award recognizes a U-M School of Nursing alumni member whose groundbreaking research and scholarship have transformed clinical practice or health policy. Recipients champion the school’s mission and vision, actively engaging in networking, mentoring and leadership. Their sustained research excellence, notable contributions to nursing literature and dedication to advancing nursing science set them apart.
➡️ Submit Your Nomination for the Excellence in Nursing Research and Scholarship Award
- This award recognizes a U-M School of Nursing alumni member whose groundbreaking research and scholarship have transformed clinical practice or health policy. Recipients champion the school’s mission and vision, actively engaging in networking, mentoring and leadership. Their sustained research excellence, notable contributions to nursing literature and dedication to advancing nursing science set them apart.
- SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ADVOCACY AWARD (To be Awarded in 2027)
- This award recognizes a U-M School of Nursing alumni member advocating for health care quality and celebrates those driving meaningful change for underrepresented groups while supporting the school’s mission and vision. Nominees should lead community initiatives and innovate in health care. Their work in advancing social or political advocacy through scholarship impacts equity and access in health care.
➡️ Submit Your Nomination for the Social and Political Advocacy Award
- This award recognizes a U-M School of Nursing alumni member advocating for health care quality and celebrates those driving meaningful change for underrepresented groups while supporting the school’s mission and vision. Nominees should lead community initiatives and innovate in health care. Their work in advancing social or political advocacy through scholarship impacts equity and access in health care.
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Previous Alumni Award winners
- 2025 – Dr. Lisa Kane Low (BSN 1984, Ph.D. 2001) - Career Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2024 – Dr. Bernadine Cimprich (Ph.D. 1990) – Career Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2024 – Sandra Merkel, MS, RN-PMGT-BC (MS 1977) – Excellence in Clinical Practice Award
- 2024 – Dr. Lenette Jones (BSN 2002, MS 2011, Ph.D. 2014) – Early Career Achievement Award
- 2023 – Dr. Gina Dahlem (MS 2005, Ph.D. 2010) – Excellence in Nursing Research and Scholarship Award
- 2023 – Dr. Suzanne Miyamoto (BSN 2002, MS 2004, Ph.D. 2009) – Social and Political Advocacy Award
- 2023 – Dr. Daniel Pesut (Ph.D. 1984) – Career Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2022 – Dr. Kristen Choi (BSN 2014, Ph.D. 2017) – Early Career Achievement Award
- 2022 – Dr. Dana Tschannen (BSN 1997, MSN 2002, Ph.D. 2005) – Excellence in Clinical Practice Award
- 2022 – Dr. Doris Grinspun (MSN 1991) – Career Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2021 – Dr. Joyce Thompson (BSN 1964) – Distinguished Alumni Award
- 2020 – Dr. Linda Everett (Ph.D. 1998) – Distinguished Alumni Award
- 2019 – Dr. Jane Barnsteiner (Ph.D. 1984) – Distinguished Alumni Award
- 2018 – Dr. Helen Erickson (BSN 1974, MS 1976) – Distinguished Alumni Award
- 2017 – Dr. Joanne Disch (Ph.D. 1985) – Distinguished Alumni Award
MISSION
The mission of the University of Michigan School of Nursing is to advance health for all by educating and developing nurses and other professionals as leaders, generating and applying knowledge, and serving individuals, communities and populations.
VISION
To be the world’s leading source of high-impact research, evidence and education that will develop the knowledge and nurses necessary to address health care’s biggest challenges and provide health for all.
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact the U-M School of Nursing Alumni Relations Liaison, Coreen Abston at [email protected] or (734) 647-9474.