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Alumni Events & Awards
Once a Loyola nurse, always a Loyola nurse. As part of the School of Nursing family, we want to help you stay connected with your colleagues and mentors. Explore upcoming events where you can connect with classmates and help us celebrate our outstanding alumni. Each year, Loyola Nursing recognizes and honors alumni who have distinguished themselves in the health care field and exemplified the ideals of the school. Awards are presented during the School of Nursing’s Annual Alumni Mass and Awards Brunch Reunion. Nominations are accepted year-round.
AWARD DESCRIPTIONS
Distinguished Alumni Award:
- We consider this the most prestigious acknowledgment of the accomplishments of our nursing alumni. This award is presented to an alum who has brought pride and recognition to the School of Nursing by having achieved prominence in nursing on a regional, national, or international level. One award is given each year.
Spirit of Ignatius Award:
- This award is presented an alum of the School of Nursing who best exemplifies Cura Personalis or care of the whole person.
SUBMIT A NOMINATION
Alumni awards are presented during the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing's Annual Alumni Mass and Awards Brunch Reunion. Nominations are accepted year-round, but they must be received by January 15 each year to be considered for the cooresponding year's award class. Nominations received after January 15 will be considered for future years.
PAST RECIPIENTS
Year |
Distinguished Alumni |
Spirit of Ignatius |
2009 |
Mary Dowd Sheehan, (BSN ’84, MSN ’92), MBA, RN |
Mary Ann B. Noonan, (BSN ’64, MSN ’79), FNP-BC |
2010 |
William J. Duffy, (BSN ’80, MJ ’92), RN, CNOR |
Phillip Werman, (BSN ‘06) |
2011 |
Sandra Millon Underwood, RN, PhD, FAAN (BSN '75, MSN '79) |
Cheryl McLean, RN (BSN '96, MSN '99) |
2012 |
Mary Jane Sauve, DNSc (BSN ’61) |
Sr. Maureen Grady, CSC, PhD, MA, RN (BSN ’65) |
2013 |
Sister Donna M. Wolowicki, CR, (BSN ’71, MSN ‘75) |
Verna Christian Garcia, (BSN ‘61) |
2014 |
Mary Ann H. Draye, (BSN ’64), MPH, APRN, FNP-BC |
Kathleen (Kindelin) Pender, MS, (BSN ’73), RN |
2015 |
Sheila A. Haas, (MSN ’74), PhD, RN, FAAN |
Ida M. Androwich, (BSN ’78), PhD, RN-BC, FAAN |
2016 |
Julie G. Donalek (BSN ’64) RN, PhD, APMHCS, BC |
Mary Sue Gorski (PhD ’04) |
2017 |
Kathleen Kilbane (BSN '79) |
Misty M. Kirby-Nolan (MSN '00) |
2018 |
Betty E. Fuentes (BSN '55, MED '70) |
Anne M. Guion (BSN '12) |
2019 |
Diana P. Hackbarth, PhD (BSN '68) |
Geraldine M. Gorman, PhD (BA '77, MA '81, BSN '94, PhD '01) |
2020 |
Nicole N. Abdallah (BSN ‘02) |
Karina E. Danner Koptik (BSN ‘87, MSN ‘93) |
Events
Reconnect with former classmates, faculty, and students at events celebrating the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing and its distinguished alumni.
BLESSING OF THE HANDS MASS & ALUMNI BRUNCH
The Blessing of the Hands Mass and Alumni Brunch and will be held on March 18, 2023. More information coming soon. All denominations welcome.
RAMBLERS MEN'S BASKETBALL GAME
Join us on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, when the Loyola men's basketball team takes on Fordham. Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing alumni, as well as alumni from Stritch School of Medicine and Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, are invited to attend a joint alumni reception before the game at Ireland's Pub 10 in the Damen Student Center.
Ticket and registration information coming soon.
RUTH K. PALMER RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
Each year, nurses and health professionals gather to share the latest information in research at the Ruth K. Palmer Research Symposium. For decades, this event has addressed matters seminal to nursing research, education, administration, policy, and clinical practices.
The 2023 36th Ruth K. Palmer Research Symposium will be held in-person on March 17, 2023. Poster abstract submissions will be accepted through January 20, 2023, here. Details about registration are coming soon.