School of Nursing Awards
The
Faculty Teaching Award recognizes a member of the
School of
Nursing faculty for excellence in teaching. Dr.
Therese Richmond, associate professor of trauma
and critical care nursing, "is extremely engaging,
always innovative and contextually meaningful. She
stimulates interest in further study and is always
seeking new and unique opportunities for student
learning." "She has cultivated relationships
across the University and the wider community that
have allowed for exceptional student experiences
at both the master's and doctoral level. She is the
ideal teacher who beautifully reflects the tripartite
mission of the school in her teachings. Her teachings
are fully grounded in her clinical practice and most
current evidence from research."
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The
Doctoral Student Organization Award--now known as
the Barbara Lowery DSO Faculty Award was named to
honor Dr. Lowery who was instrumental in the lives
of so many doctoral students at Penn. Dr. Sarah
Hope Kagan, the Doris R. Schwartz Term Chair
in Gerontological Nursing, and a MacArthur Fellow, "truly
epitomizes Barbara Lowery's spirit of inquiry, with
thoughtfulness and a deliberative nature." The
award recognizes the significant impact and contributions
of a faculty member to the development of future
nursing scholars, researchers, and leaders. It is
awarded each year to a member of the School's standing
faculty by a vote of the Doctoral Student Organization
membership. Dr. Kagan is noted as being an excellent
formal and informal mentor throughout the many phases
of doctoral student life with a sincere commitment
to her students from the very first day of doctoral
study, continuing the process as the newly graduated
doctorally prepared nurse looks for their first job
or post-doctoral fellowship and beyond.
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The
Undergraduate Advising Award recognizes a member
of the School of Nursing faculty who excels at advising
undergraduate students. Dr. Mary Ann Lafferty-Della
Valle, adjunct associate professor and senior
research investigator, advisees praise her willingness
to be there whenever they need her. She plays an
integral role in the initiation of every undergraduate
nursing student here in the school as an instructor
as well as an official and unofficial advisor to
any and all students. Dr. Lafferty, while being extremely
knowledgeable in chemistry, biochemistry, and organic
chemistry, is able to help her students make the
connection between these sciences and practical applications
in nursing. She instructs through a variety of methods
and incorporates a spectrum of learning techniques
because she defines her success by her students'
learning.
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The
Academic Support Staff Teaching Award recognizes
excellence in teaching, including knowledge of subject
matter, ability to present subject matter clearly,
accessibility, and a willingness to work with students.
Lecturer Rosemary Gillespie is extremely sensitive
to the different learning needs and styles of particular
students and seeks out learning opportunities to
best suit them. She is dedicated to her students
beyond their expectation because she challenges them
clinically while providing a base of confidence and
comfort that allows them to learn easily. She incorporates
research and best practice models routinely in her
seminars and encourages student involvement. Her
students describe her as an advocate, a leader, and
a role model.
The
Teaching Assistant Award goes to a teaching assistant
who demonstrates cognitive, professional, and interpersonal
competencies. Erme Maula is an exemplary teaching
assistant for a heavily subscribed course, yet she
manages to provide individual attention and support
beyond the expectations of her students and faculty. She
sets achievable, but challenging goals, mentors students,
provides volunteer opportunities, and gives constructive,
supportive feedback. Through weekly observational
journals, she molds student's observational experiences
so that students interpret abstract theories and
see the applicability of course material in clinical
practice.