San Diego, CA – The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) today presented its prestigious Sue B. Davidson Service Award to Stephen Patten, MSN, RN, CNS, CNOR, Director of Nursing Operative Care at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, and Past President of NACNS. The Award recognizes extraordinary service to NACNS. It is named for Susan B. Davidson, a founding member of NACNS who served two terms as President of the association and chaired the NACNS Research Committee. The Award was presented at NACNS’ Annual Conference.
A member of NACNS since 2005, Patten served on the board of directors from 2008 to 2012, and was the association’s 2011 President. He served on NACNS’ Practice Committee from 2007 to 2009 and was the co-chair of the task force that is developing Family Across the Life Span Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) competencies. He was also instrumental helping define the Perioperative CNS certification.
“Stephen served as NACNS’ President during a time of transition when we truly needed a strong leader,” said NACNS 2015 President Peggy Barksdale, MSN, RN, OCNS-C, CNS-BC. “His guidance and wisdom during that transition and his outstanding work to define and strengthen the CNS role in health care are just two examples of Stephen’s impressive leadership skills. We are proud to work with him and to present him with this prestigious award.”
Patten earned his ADN from Mt. Hood Community College, his BSN from Graceland College and his MSN from Graceland University. He is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International.