NCSBN Award Ceremony Honors Outstanding Nurse Regulators

CHICAGO, Aug. 23, 2017 -- The National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc. (NCSBN^®) recognized its dedicated and exceptional membership and guests at its annual awards ceremony during the NCSBN Annual Meeting and Delegate Assembly, held in Chicago, Aug. 17, 2017.

Specific award recipients include:

Mary Blubaugh, MSN, RN, former executive administrator, Kansas State Board of Nursing, was honored with the prestigious R. Louise McManus Award. Individuals receiving this award have made sustained and significant contributions through the highest commitment and dedication to the mission and vision of NCSBN.

Linda D. Burhans, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, FRE, board staff, North Carolina Board of Nursing, received the Meritorious Service Award, which is granted to a member for significant contributions to the mission and vision of NCSBN.

Valerie J. Fuller, PhD, DNP, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, board president, Maine State Board of Nursing, received the Elaine Ellibee Award that is granted to a member who has served as a board president within the past two years and who has made significant contributions to NCSBN.

Nathan Goldman, JD, board staff, Kentucky Board of Nursing; Mindy Schaffner, PhD, MSN, CNS, RN, board staff, Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission; and Catherine C. Woodard, board staff, Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, each received the Exceptional Contribution Award, which is given for significant contribution and demonstrated support of NCSBN’s mission.

The Minnesota Board of Nursing was awarded the Regulatory Achievement Award that recognizes the member board or associate member that has made an identifiable, significant contribution to the mission and vision of NCSBN in promoting public policy related to the safe and effective practice of nursing in the interest of public welfare.

Additionally, retiring NCSBN Legal Counsel Thomas G. Abram, MA, JD, Vedder Price, was honored with the Founders Award bestowed by the NCSBN Board of Directors. This prestigious award is given only upon occasion that an individual with ethics, integrity and sincerity has demonstrated the highest regard for the ideals and beliefs upon which NCSBN was founded.

In addition, service awards were given to the following executive officers of boards of nursing (BONs):

Five Years

• Lynn Ansardi, RN, executive director, Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners
• Carina Herman, MSN, RN, executive director/registrar, College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia
• Cynthia Johansen, MAL, MSc, registrar and chief executive officer, College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia
• Cynthia LaBonde, MN, RN, executive director, Wyoming State Board of Nursing
• Ann Mann, MN, RN, executive director/registrar, College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Nova Scotia
• Denise Nies, MSN, RN, BC, executive director, New Hampshire Board of Nursing
• Carolyn Mary Reed, MA, RN, FCNA, chief executive/registrar, Nursing Council of New Zealand
• Paula Schenk, MPH, RN, executive director, Kentucky Board of Nursing
• Suzanne Sullivan, JD, RN, executive secretary, New York State Board of Nursing

15 Years

• Gloria Damgaard, MS, RN, FRE, executive director, South Dakota Board of Nursing
• Jay Douglas, MSM, RN, CSAC, FRE, executive director, Virginia Board of Nursing
• Laurette D. Keiser, MSN, RN, executive secretary/section chief, Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
• Karen Scipio-Skinner, MSN, RN, executive director, District of Columbia Board of Nursing

BONs celebrating 100 years of nursing regulation in 2017

• Hawaii Board of Nursing
• Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association
• South Dakota Board of Nursing
• Utah State Board of Nursing

About NCSBN
Founded March 15, 1978, as an independent not-for-profit organization, NCSBN was created to lessen the burdens of state governments and bring together BONs to act and counsel together on matters of common interest. NCSBN’s membership is comprised of the BONs in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories — American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands. There are also 30 associate members that are either nursing regulatory bodies or empowered regulatory authorities from other countries or territories.

NCSBN Member Boards protect the public by ensuring that safe and competent nursing care is provided by licensed nurses. These BONs regulate more than 4.5 million licensed nurses.

Mission: NCSBN provides education, service and research through collaborative leadership to promote evidence-based regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection.

The statements and opinions expressed are those of NCSBN and not the individual member state or territorial boards of nursing.

Contact: Dawn M. Kappel
Director, Marketing and Communications
312.525.3667 direct
312.279.1034 fax
[email protected]