The Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) has awarded Martha Curley, the Ruth M. Colket Endowed Chair in Pediatric Nursing and professor of nursing at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, the 2021 Drs. Vidyasagar and Nagamani Dharmapuri Award for Excellence in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. This annual award recognizes an individual for sustained exemplary and pioneering achievement in the care of critically ill and injured infants and children. It was presented virtually during the American College of Critical Care Medicine Convocation/Society of Critical Care Medicine Awards on February 5. Dr. Curley is the first woman and nurse to receive this award.

“I am excited to receive the award because it acknowledges a lifetime of work that has cleared the path to recognize the contributions that nurses make in the care of critically ill children and their families,” said Dr. Curley. “It’s also important from the perspective of situating the patient and the parent in this award, because all of the work that I’ve done over the years has been based on the needs of patients and their families. I’m humbled by the award and honored to receive it, especially as the first woman and nurse to receive it.”

Recipients of this award distinguish themselves by achieving national and international professional prominence as a result of their personal character, leadership, eminence in clinical practice, and outstanding contributions to research, education, program development, and advocacy for pediatric critical care medicine.

“Dr. Curley’s recognition as this year’s recipient of the Drs. Vidyasagar and Nagamani Dharmapuri Award for Excellence in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine is a testament to her innovation and commitment in the care of critically ill infants and children,” said José Bauermeister, the Albert M. Greenfield Professor of Human Relations and chair of Penn Nursing’s department of family and community health. “Penn Nursing is thrilled that Dr. Curley is the first nurse to earn this well-deserved recognition for her work.”

“Martha Curley is a maverick in Pediatric Critical Care. Her drive and motivation to improve the lives of the children we serve through Nursing is unparalleled,” said Lauren Sorce, assistant professor in the division of pediatric critical care medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. “As a result of her mentorship, I have met and collaborated with many others in our field, completed a PhD program and now do my own independent research. Her mentorship is generous and has truly altered my career trajectory.”