Philadelphia, PA – The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) presented awards to six outstanding nurses, including past leaders of the Association, at its 21st Annual Conference: The Future Is Today: Entering a World of New Practice Challenges for the Clinical Nurse Specialist. The conference was held March 3 – 5.
The following awards were presented:
- NACNS President’s Award Kathleen Baldwin, PhD, RN, ACNS, ANP, GNP, CEN, a Nurse Researcher at Texas Health in Fort Worth, and a former faculty member at Texas Christian University, for work with and commitment to NACNS, including time she spent directing the CNS Foundation, which closed in 2014. The Award recognizes an individual or entity for extraordinary service to NACNS. It was established in 2013 to honor individuals or groups that make significant contributions toward the accomplishment of the NACNS mission.
- Brenda Lyon Leadership Award to Rachel Moody, MS, CNS, RN, the Administrative Director for Critical Care and Infection Control at Franciscan Alliance in Hammond, Ind. The Award recognizes extraordinary leadership in service to NACNS. It is named for Brenda Lyon, a founding member and the second president of NACNS.
- Sue B. Davidson Service Award to Melanie Duffy, MSN, RN, CCRN, CCNS, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Critical Care at Pinnacle Health System in Harrisburg, Pa. and Adjunct Faculty in the Nursing programs at the University of Detroit Mercy, Widener University, and York College. The Award recognizes extraordinary service to NACNS. It is named for Sue B. Davidson, a founding member of NACNS who served two terms as President of the association and chaired the NACNS Research Committee.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) of the Year Award to Mary E. Lough, PhD, RN, CNS, CCNS, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Critical Care at Stanford Health Care in Stanford, Calif. The Award recognizes an NACNS member for outstanding professional achievement in all aspects of CNS practice. It is presented each year to a nurse who demonstrates CNS competencies and exemplary practice in patient care, nursing and health care delivery systems.
- CNS Researcher of the Year Award to Maureen Greene, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, ACNP- BC, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Clinical Nurse Specialist-Intensivist and Nurse Research Coordinator at Wheaton Franciscan-St Joseph Hospital in Milwaukee. The Award recognizes an NACNS member for outstanding professional achievement as a CNS who conducted original nursing research that has significantly enhanced the science of autonomous nursing practice, patient and family outcomes, and/or health care systems. It acknowledges a nurse for an accomplished program of research that has significantly contributed to advancing the nursing profession.
- CNS Preceptor of the Year Award to Brandee Ann Wornhoff, MSN, RN, CNS-BC, a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Hendricks Regional Health in Danville, Ind. The Award recognizes an NACNS member for outstanding professional achievement as a CNS Preceptor who has demonstrated commitment to teach, coach and mentor CNS students to achieve CNS competencies.
- NACNS Affiliate of Year to the Central Indiana Organization of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CIOCNS). The Award recognizes an NACNS affiliate that has sustained membership growth, offered educational opportunities, built CNS leadership, contributed to NACNS’ growth, and advanced the CNS role.