AONE Institute Announces 2009 Award and Scholarship Recipients
Contact:
M.T. Meadows, AONE - (312) 422-2807
Chicago, IL (Friday, March 6, 2009)
The AONE Institute for Nursing Leadership Research and Education (AONE Institute), an affiliate of the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) and a 501(c)(3) unit of the Health Research and Educational Trust, has announced the recipients of various awards and scholarships as part of its 2009 Award and Recognition Program. These awards honor AONE members, as well as an AONE chapter, who have demonstrated the “best of the best” in leadership practice, and whose work sets an example for every nurse leader. The 2009 recipients will be honored during the plenary sessions of the AONE Annual Meeting and Exposition, April 15-19 in San Antonio. The 2009 recipients include:
Organizational Innovation Nurse Executive Award (Sponsored by the B.E. Smith)
Donna L. Bertram, RN, MBA, NEA-BC, FAAN, vice president and chief nursing officer at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital in Arlington, Texas
Bertram is credited with being a catalyst for several innovative contributions at Arlington Memorial Hospital, including the development of a healing arts committee. As a part of this initiative, employees are invited to monthly lectures on the topics of aromatherapy, stress management, pet and music therapy, humor, yoga, meditation and alternative therapies. Betram is a sought-after mentor, public speaker and adjunct faculty member at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Organizational Innovation Nurse Director Award (Sponsored by the American Nurses Credentialing Center)
Mary Anne Gallagher, RNC, MA, clinical director of nursing at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, N.Y.
Gallagher was instrumental in securing a $1 million donation for pediatric oncology nursing at Montefiore Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. The donation provided funding for nursing education in pediatric oncology, instituting yoga for patients and nurses, Theta healing therapy, and therapeutic touch and aromatherapy. She is currently president of the Greater New York Nassau Suffolk Organization of Nurse Executives and is also a board member of the New York Organization of Nurse Executives.
Prism Award (Sponsored by United Healthcare)
Pilar De La Cruz-Reyes, RN, MSN, diversity director at the California Institute for Nursing & Health Care (CINHC) in Berkeley, Calif.
De La Cruz-Reyes is responsible for the implementation of the California Institute for Nursing & Health Care’s statewide master planning goal to increase the diversity of the California nursing workforce. She also leads the Coalition for Nursing Careers in California—a statewide initiative that encourages youth to consider a career in nursing—where she works with CINHC leadership to organize a statewide diversity advisory committee to help guide implementation of the diversity master planning goal which was published by CINHC in June 2007. De La Cruz-Reyes developed the first cultural competency task force for community medical centers in Fresno helping to educate staff on better meeting the needs of the different cultures served by the hospital system. She is a member of the Association of California Nurse Leaders, Sigma Theta Tau International, Mu Nu Chapter, and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.
Chapter Achievement Award (Sponsored by NBC Digital Health Network)
The Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders (IONL) in Kenilworth, Ill.
In order to strengthen collaboration between members and promote the profession of nursing within Illinois in an economical way for both the organization and members, leaders from IONL developed virtual communities of practice. These virtual communities of practice (groups of persons with common interests linked via the Internet) became a part of an initiative called ‘IONL.connect’. Over the past two years, IONL.connect has provided many opportunities to offer colleague-to-colleague interactions, articles, research, board information, group meetings and access to vendors who support nurse leaders in their work. Legislative work has also been supported with this system and has allowed a broader reach for those messages.
Scholarship Award for Nurse Executive (Sponsored by United Healthcare)
Karen S. Hill, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, FACHE, vice president and chief nurse executive at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Ky.
Hill is pursing a doctorate in nursing practice at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing in Lexington, Ky. The program focuses on the use of evidence to support patient care, leadership theories and models and research/evaluation methods.
Scholarship Award for Nurse Director (Sponsored by United Healthcare)
Todd Knight, RN, BSN, CVRN, director for invasive/interventional procedures at Holland Hospital in Holland, Michigan
Knight is pursuing a masters of science in nursing at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich.
About the AONE Institute for Nursing Leadership Research & Education
The AONE Institute for Nursing Leadership Research and Education is the philanthropic arm of the American Organization of Nurse Executives and a 501(c)(3) unit of the Health Research and Educational Trust. Founded in 1999, the AONE Institute’s mission is to shape the future of patient care delivery through the development of evidence-based nursing leadership. The AONE Institute is committed to advancing nurse executive practice through research seed grants for projects related to nursing administration practice, educational awards to advance scholarship in formal education, and leadership awards to recognize innovative and effective achievements toward improving health care delivery.
About the American Organization of Nurse Executives
The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) is the national professional organization for nurses who design, facilitate and manage care. With more than 6,500 members, AONE is the voice of nursing leadership in health care. Since 1967, the organization has provided leadership, professional development, advocacy and research to advance nursing practice and patient care, promote nursing leadership excellence and shape public policy for health care. AONE's 48 affiliated state and metropolitan chapters and its alliances with state hospital associations give the organization’s initiatives a regional and local presence. AONE is a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association. More information about AONE can be found at www.aone.org.
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