|
School of Nursing 2015 Teaching Awards |
|
May 24, 2016, Volume 62, No. 35 |
Dean’s Award for Exemplary Teaching
This award is given for demonstrated commitment to educational leadership across the curriculum and for developing innovative teaching methods that stimulate, inspire and challenge students. This year, there were two recipients.
Pamela Z. Cacchione is the Ralston House Endowed Term Chair in Gerontological Nursing and a nursing associate professor of geropsychiatric nursing. She teaches in the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program and in the psychiatric component of the undergraduate program. She inspires students with her passion for the field of mental health and aging and challenges their preconceived notions of the elderly. One former student wrote, “In our first class, we were asked to write down words that we used to describe elders; I now cringe when I recall what I wrote. The cognitive shift of that day is now part of my DNA. I hear her voice coming out of my mouth as I instruct others on the importance of referring to patients in relevant, respectful terms.”
Joseph R. Libonati is an associate professor of nursing whose research focuses on the methods by which exercise benefits the heart in cardiovascular disease. He teaches physiology, advanced physiology and pathophysiology in the graduate program. As director of the Laboratory of Innovative & Translational Nursing Research at the School, he mentors undergraduates, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in various phases of research. His anesthesia students commented, “By cultivating a comprehensive understanding of the complex physiologic mechanisms of the human body and our interventions upon it, Dr. Libonati is constructing the platform upon which we can build our practice as safe and effective providers of anesthesia; this will have a lifelong impact on us and the patients we serve.”
|
Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence
|
Susan M. Renz, an advanced senior lecturer, is the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence, which is given to a member of the Associated Faculty or Teaching Faculty for demonstrated excellence in teaching. Dr. Renz teaches in the adult health and gerontology primary care nurse practitioner program. She fosters a learning environment that is challenging and compassionate. One nominator noted, “Dr. Renz draws on her clinical expertise and instigates an atmosphere of learning that helps her students expand their diagnostic reasoning. She communicates nursing concepts in digestible forms, with concrete focus on clinical application of knowledge that enhances student learning. She demonstrates a mastery of guiding discussions in a way that enriches her students’ understanding…she enhances students’ leadership abilities by allowing students to lead the discussion on topics pertinent to the course material while also providing constructive criticism and feedback.”
|
Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Scholarly Mentorship
|
Ann Kutney-Lee, an assistant professor, is the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Scholarly Mentorship, which is given for exceptional mentoring of undergraduate students in the introduction of and participation in undergraduate nursing research. Dr. Kutney-Lee is known for inspiring undergraduate students’ interest in research early in their academic careers by instilling a solid fundamental understanding of how research shapes the science of nursing practice. She encourages students to formulate research questions, seek out research opportunities and identify innovative team-based approaches to examining science and evidence-based foundations for nursing practice. As a former student commented, “…her mentorship cultivated a passion (in me) for using rigorous social science analysis and methodological innovation to address key priorities in the health of individuals and populations, and the importance of doing this work with a clear and full-throated nursing voice.”
|
Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Advising
|
Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos, a senior lecturer, is the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Advising, which is given to faculty for excellence in undergraduate advising as demonstrated by knowledge of the undergraduate curriculum; the ability to be a resource for and provide support to students insuring their success; accessibility; and willingness to collaborate with others in order to foster the academic, professional and personal development of students. Ms. Nagtalon-Ramos serves as an advisor to undergraduate students who are part of the accelerated BSN/women’s health MSN program. She has a well-deserved reputation for being a consistent source of support to her students. With a strong knowledge of both programs, she is a great resource for her students academically but is also devoted to their professional and personal success. One student commented, “Jamille is there not only for academic advice, but career and personal advice as well. She is knowledgeable about women’s health and the program and her enthusiasm for it is contagious. I am grateful to have someone so encouraging and supportive as I embark on my career in nursing.”
|
Dean’s Award for Exemplary Citizenship
|
Kathleen McCauley, the Class of 1965 25th Reunion Term Professor of Cardiovascular Nursing, is the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Exemplary Citizenship, which is given to members of the senior faculty for significant contributions to the School over time. Dr. McCauley was selected for this award by her peers for her more than 25 years of dedicated service to the School and to the nursing profession. As the interim associate dean and director of undergraduate studies and then associate dean for academic programs, she oversaw two revisions to the undergraduate curriculum. Other achievements have included reviews and refinements to the School’s master’s and PhD programs; a successful reaccreditation review; launching of a Teaching Excellence program; and partnerships with other Penn Schools in the development of joint minors with Annenberg and Wharton, a dual degree with Arts & Sciences and joint majors with Engineering and Wharton. She also served as a clinical specialist in cardiovascular nursing HUP.
|
Undergraduate Award for Teaching
Maria S. White, a lecturer, is the recipient of the Undergraduate Award for Teaching, which is given by the Student Nurses at Penn (undergraduate students) for excellence in teaching, demonstrated by knowledge of the subject matter, ability to stimulate student interest and professional development, innovative teaching methods and student responsiveness. The undergraduate students selected Ms. White for her dedication as a nurse educator and for her support and encouragement of nursing students, insuring their success in the School of Nursing. Her nominators commented, “She gives her all to her students as she is always willing to spend extra time explaining the material. Not only does Maria have a passion for education, but she is extremely knowledgeable in the subjects and she makes it her priority to engage us and stimulate our interest.”
|
Outstanding Nurse Educator Award
|
Glenn A. Fuir, a lecturer, is the recipient of the Outstanding Nurse Educator Award, which is given by the Graduate Student Organization (master’s students) for excellence in teaching as demonstrated by knowledge of the subject matter, ability to stimulate student interest and professional development, innovative teaching methods and student responsiveness. Mr. Fuir teaches business planning and concepts in health care economics to students in the nursing & healthcare administration and health leadership programs. Known by his students for his expertise, engaging teaching methods and contagious sense of humor, he insures that his students are prepared to meet the business challenges presented by an ever-changing healthcare industry. As one nominator noted, “In addition to demonstrating clear expertise in the subject matter, Glenn encourages inquiries and creates a learning environment conducive for allowing students to excel in concepts that will be vital in guiding their practice as future healthcare leaders.”
|
Barbara J. Lowery DSO Faculty Award
Christine K. Bradway, an associate professor of gerontological nursing, is the recipient of the Barbara J. Lowery DSO Faculty Award, which is given by the Doctoral Student Organization (DSO) to a member of the faculty who has advanced nursing science through exemplary and unwavering doctoral student mentorship. Dr. Bradway was selected for her dedication to supporting doctoral students through formal and informal teaching and mentoring. She is known for inspiring and influencing her students in the area of the qualitative research paradigm. She guides students in designing their own qualitative research proposals and developing their skills to collect and analyze qualitative data through individual or focus-group interviews, observations and content analysis, further challenging them with her thoughtful and constructive critiques. Her students consider her an invaluable role model whose expertise and enthusiasm have been critical to their success.
|
|
Almanac -
May 24, 2016, Volume 62, No. 35
|
|
|