NCSBN Award Ceremony Honors Outstanding Nurse Regulators


CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - August 14, 2008) - The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN®), www.ncsbn.org, recognized its dedicated and exceptional membership and guests at its annual awards ceremony during the NCSBN Delegate Assembly held Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Specific award recipients include:

Shirley Brekken, MS, RN, executive director, Minnesota Board of Nursing, was honored with the prestigious R. Louise McManus Award. Individuals receiving this award have made sustained and significant contributions through their highest commitment and dedication to the purposes and mission of NCSBN.

Sandra Evans, MAEd, RN, executive director, Idaho Board of Nursing, received the Meritorious Service Award, which is granted to a board or staff member of a member board for significant contributions to the purposes of NCSBN.

Lisa Emrich, MSN, RN, board staff, Ohio Board of Nursing; Barbara Newman, MS, RN, board staff, Maryland Board of Nursing; and Calvina Thomas, PhD, RN, board staff, Arkansas State Board of Nursing, received the Exceptional Contribution Award, which is awarded for significant contribution by a board of nursing staff member who does not serve as an executive officer or a board member who is not the current board president.

The Kentucky Board of Nursing was awarded the Regulatory Achievement Award that recognizes the member board that has made an identifiable, significant contribution to the purpose of NCSBN in promoting public policy related to the safe and effective practice of nursing in the interest of public welfare.

In honor of NCSBN's 30th Anniversary, a special 30th Anniversary Award was given to Joey Ridenour, MN, RN, executive director, Arizona State Board of Nursing; Mildred S. Schmidt, EdD, RN, former executive secretary, New York State Board of Nursing; and Sharon Weisenbeck Malin, MS, RN, former executive director, Kentucky Board of Nursing. This special award honors individuals responsible for historic innovation and profound, lasting achievements that have significantly contributed to nursing regulation and NCSBN.

There was a special award given to Thomas Abram, JD, NCSBN legal counsel.

In addition, service awards were given to the following executive officers of boards of nursing:

Ten Years
Myra Broadway, JD, MS, RN, executive director, Maine State Board of Nursing
Connie Kalanek, PhD, RN, executive director, North Dakota Board of Nursing
Paula Meyer, MSN, RN, executive director, Washington State Nursing Care
Quality Assurance Commission

Fifteen Years
Ruth Ann Terry, MPH, RN, executive officer, California Board of Registered
Nursing
Laura Poe, MS, RN, executive administrator, Utah State Board of Nursing

Twenty Years
Lorinda Inman, MSN, RN, executive director, Iowa Board of Nursing
Barbara Morvant, MN, RN, executive director, Louisiana State Board of
Nursing
Charlene Kelly, PhD, RN, executive director, Nebraska Board of Nursing

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization whose membership comprises the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories.

Mission: The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), composed of Member Boards, provides leadership to advance regulatory excellence for public protection.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60601-4277

Contact Information: Contact: Dawn M. Kappel Director, Marketing and Communications 312.525.3667 direct 312.279.1034 fax