Chapter Awards Event
Representatives of 64 chapters walked across the stage at the 40th Biennial Convention in Indianapolis to receive Chapter Key awards during a plenary session that Jane E. Allen, RN-BC, MS, called her favorite event of the convention. Noting that a record number of nominations had been received for Chapter Key awards, Allen, chair of the Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee, observed, “Chapters are the foundation of Sigma Theta Tau International.”

Gina Woody (center) with Patricia Thompson and Carol Huston

As Allen announced the winners, President Carol J. Huston, RN, MSN, DPA, FAAN, and CEO Patricia E. Thompson, RN, EdD, FAAN, made the presentations and congratulated the winners. Leading off those receiving Chapter Key Awards were representatives of Beta Nu, Delta and Delta Omega chapters, all of which were nine-time recipients of the award. The Chapter Key Award, established in 1991, honors chapters who excel in membership recruitment and retention; publicity and programming; professional and leadership development; and local, national and international collaboration. This year, Rho Delta Chapter, located in Pakistan, was the first chapter outside North America to receive a Chapter Key Award.

Four chapters were recognized for observing 50-year anniversaries: Omicron, Pi, Rho and Tau chapters. Zeta Chapter was honored for reaching its 75th anniversary. Complete list of chapters honored for anniversaries and those receiving Chapter Key Awards.

Other chapter awards were also presented at the event, including the Chapter Spirit of Philanthropy Award, which went to Africa’s Tau Lambda-at-Large Chapter, the first non-U.S. chapter to receive that award. For a complete list of recipients, click on the following:
Chapter Community Building Award
Chapter Research Advancement Award
Chapter Spirit of Philanthropy Award
Chapter Communications Award

Members celebrate their chapter award.

New member Larry Z. Slater, RN, BSN, was honored with two Pillar Awards: Pillar of Leadership Award and Pillar of Service Award. Slater, who is president-elect of Nu Chapter, is a full-time doctoral student at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

The Melanie C. Dreher Outstanding Dean Award for Chapter Support was presented by Past President Melanie Dreher to Zane Wolf, RN, PhD, FAAN, dean and professor, La Salle University School of Nursing. Wolf is a member of Kappa Delta and Xi chapters.

Author book-signing events
Attendees had copies of their favorite STTI publications autographed at today’s book signings. Authors of 10 STTI publications were on hand. Additional book signings will take place on Monday. Attendees can check their program book for details.

Brick paver celebration
Representatives of the Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing expressed appreciation to all those who have contributed to the brick paver garden with a brick paver celebration. In the past five years, more than US $3.4 million in pledges and donations have been made to the paver garden, located at STTI’s headquarters. Those in attendance toured the garden as well as headquarters, the International Center for Nursing Scholarship.

Tribute awards
More than 20 awards were presented to leaders of the nursing profession during the Tribute Awards program on Sunday, 1 November.  Award recipients reflect the importance of research, scholarship, technology and art to the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. “Today, we are recognizing a number of individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the science and profession of nursing,” said presenter Beth Baldwin Tigges, member of Sigma Theta Tau International’s board of directors. Congratulations to the following award recipients:

Clinical Scholarship Award
Mary E. Lough, RN, MS, PhD(c), CNS, CCRN, CNRN

Research Dissemination Award
Cynthia Logsdon, DNS, ARNP, FAAN
Dissemination of Research on Postpartum Depression

Research Dissertation Award
Catherine (Cathy) J. Carter-Snell, RN, PhD
Understanding Women’s Risks of Injury From Sexual Assault

Research Utilization Award
Marie-Louise Luiking, MA, RN

Best of Worldviews on Evidence-Based Practice Award
Figuring it Out in the Moment: A Theory of Unregulated Care Providers' Knowledge Utilization in Dementia Care Settings
Nadine Jones, RN, GNC(c), PhD
Souraya Sidani, RN, PhD
Cheryl Cott, PhD
Susan Rappolt, PhD, OT Reg (Ont.)

Best of Journal of Nursing Scholarship: World Health
The Lived Experience of Genocide Rape Survivors in Rwanda
Donatilla Mukamana, MSN
Petra Brysiewicz

Best of Journal of Nursing Scholarship: Clinical Scholarship
Searching for the Intervention in Intervention Research Reports
Vicki S. Conn, RN, PhD, FAAN
Pamela S. Cooper, PhD
Todd M. Ruppar, RN, MSN
Cynthia L. Russell, RN, PhD

Best of Journal of Nursing Scholarship: Health Policy and Systems
Evaluating Home Health Care Nursing Outcomes With OASIS and NOC
Julie Stocker Schneider, RN, PhD
Violet Barkauskas, RN, PhD, FAAN
Gail Keenan, RN, PhD

Best of Sigma Theta Tau International Books Award
Synergy
Martha A.Q. Curley, RN, PhD, FAAN

Nursing Media Awards (Print)
Johns Hopkins Nursing
Kelly Brooks Staub, Editor

Public Media Awards (Print)
Sandy Jacobs Summers, RN, MSN, MPH

Nursing Media Awards (Other - Electronic, Photography, Art, etc.)
QSEN Team
Linda Cronenwett, PhD, RN, FAAN 
Gwen Sherwood, PhD, RN, FAAN
Denise Hirst, MSN, RN
Jean Blackwell, MLS, ASHIP
Steve Segedy, MSIS
Dawn O'Neal

Public Media Awards (Other - Electronic, Photography, Art, etc.)
Project HealthDesign - Grantee Videos
Linda G. Brei, BA, MAT
Gail Casper, RN, PhD
Patricia Flatley Brennan, RN, PhD, FAAN
Susan Promislo
Mike Warner

Computer-Based Professional Education Technology Award
The GW Department of Nursing Education NNEPI Project Team

Computer-Based Public Education Technology Award
Carolyn Vachani, RN, MSN, AOCN

Information Technology Awards - Knowledge Advancement
QSEN Team
Linda Cronenwett, PhD, RN, FAAN 
Gwen Sherwood, PhD, RN, FAAN
Denise Hirt, MSN, RN
Jean Blackwell, MLS, ASHIP
Steve Segedy, MSIS
Dawn O'Neal

Daniel J. Pesut Spirit of Renewal Award
Cheryl S. Taylor, RN, PhD

Helen Henry Excellence of Care Award
P.J. Holman
Abby McConathy
Laurie VanDamme

Virginia K. Saba Nursing Informatics Leadership Award
Diane Skiba, PhD, FAAN, FACMI

Geriatric Nursing Leadership Award
Amy E. Cotton, MSN, FNP-BC, FNGNA

Environment of Elder Care Nursing Research Grant
Marie Boltz, "Barriers to Functional Mobility in Hospitalized Older Adults: Patient and Nurse Perceptions"