The American Nurses Association announced Thursday the 11 recipients of its 2016 National Awards, which honor nurses who have contributed to the nursing profession. Two honorees will be inducted into the ANA's Hall of Fame, and nine will receive Honorary Awards.
"The American Nurses Association believes it is important to honor the unwavering commitment of nurses who are transforming healthcare," said Pamela Cipriano, PhD, RN, president of the ANA. "We are honored to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of these nurses, who are exemplary leaders and advocates, and whose contributions have advanced nursing and demonstrated the impact of ANA in improving healthcare for all."
ANA Hall of Fame inductees are selected because of their commitment to the field of nursing and their effect on the health and social history of the U.S. This year's two inductees are:
- Muriel Poulin, EdD, RN, of ANA-Maine. Dr. Poulin served as the director of nursing at the Damascus General Hospital in Syria and as assistant hospital administrator for nursing at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Costa Rica. She is also a Fulbright scholar.
- Patricia Messmer, PhD, RN, of Florida Nurses Association. Dr. Messmer has been a member of the ANA for more than 40 years. She is a consultant for nursing research and education at the Benjamin Leon School of Nursing at Miami Dade College and chairs the Nurses Charitable Trust, and she is one of the few nurses to receive a Smithsonian medal.
The nine nurses receiving Honorary Awards this year were nominated and then selected by the ANA's board of directors. They are:
- Karen Bankston, PhD, MSN, receiving the Mary Mahoney Award for significant contributions to integration within the nursing profession.
- Rose Constantino, PhD, RN, receiving the Jessie M. Scott Award for a nurse who made an outstanding accomplishment in practice, education or research of nursing.
- Gloria Dobies, BSN, RN, receiving the Honorary Nursing Practice Award for a nurse directly involved in patient care who was recognized by peers for their advancement of nursing through strength of character, commitment and competence.
- Patricia Ford-Roegner, BSN, MSN, RN, receiving the Barbara Thoman Curtis Award for significant contributions to nursing practice and health policy through political and legislative activity.
- Judith Huntington, MN, RN, receiving the Distinguished Membership Award for outstanding leadership and contributions to the mission of the ANA.
- John Lowe, PhD, RN, receiving the Luther Christman Award for an individual man in nursing has made contributions to the profession.
- Rebecca Patton, MSN, RN, receiving the Honorary Recognition Award, one of the ANA's highest honors, for distinguished service to the profession and contributions of national or international significance.
- Jacqlyn Sanchez, MSN, RN, receiving the Staff Nurse Patient Advocacy Award for providing direct patient care in all practice settings.
- Barbara Warren, PhD, RN, receiving the Hildegard Peplau Award for contributions to nursing through a lifetime of scholarly activities, clinical practice and policy development, focused on the psychosocial and psychiatric aspects of care delivery.
The nurses will receive their awards in person on June 23, prior to the ANA's Membership Assembly.