Faculty Receive Awards at Graduation

Mary Byrne, PhD, MPH, CPNP, the Stone Foundation and Elise D. Fish Professor of Clinical Health Care for the Underserved, received the school's Distinguished Research Scholar Award at commencement. The award is given in recognition of research excellence to a faculty member who conducts research of the highest quality, who mentors the next generation of nurse researchers, and who is an exceptional scientist and outstanding scholar. Norma Hannigan, DNP, APRN-BC, FNP, assistant professor of clinical nursing, and Courtney Reinisch, DNP, DCC, assistant professor of clinical nursing, each received the school's Distinguished Clinical Scholar Award at commencement. The award is given in recognition of clinical excellence to a faculty member who practices comprehensive care at the highest level, who mentors future nurse clinicians, and who is an exceptional clinician and outstanding scholar. Rita Marie John, DNP, EdD, CPNP, assistant professor of clinical nursing, received the school's Dorothy H. and Thomas L. O'Neil Distinguished Faculty Award at commencement. The award is given to a faculty member who exemplifies the multidimensional nurse scholar, who educates with enthusiasm, mentors with grace and commitment, seeks answers to important clinical questions, and remains focused on the ultimate goal of quality patient care. Robert Lucero, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow, was admitted into the new Academy Health Minority Scholars Program. This competitive program supports the professional development of underrepresented minorities in the field of health services research.