Celebrating excellence in nursing

After 25+ years of dedicated service, some nurses leave an indelible mark on our profession. The Lifetime Achievement Award honors these extraordinary individuals who've shaped nursing through education, clinical practice, leadership, or administration while maintaining strong connections to CU Nursing. Nominees are chosen by the Dean’s Office, alumni, faculty, current nursing students, or professional colleagues.

• 2024, Theresa M. Chase, MA, ND, RN, CEIP-Ed, `96
  
• 2023, Lola Fehr, MSN, RN, CAE, PRP, FAAN
• 2022, Kristen Swanson, PhD, RN, FAAN, '83
• 2021, Chiyoko Furukawa, PhD, MS, RN, '72, '65
• 2019, Loretta Ford, BS, MS, EdD, FAAN, FAANP
• 2017, Dr. Marilyn Ray
• 2016, Colleen Goode
• 2015, Jeanne Nicholson, BS '65, MS '99; Maureen Keefe, MS '74, PhD '84, FAAN
• 2014, Kathy Magilvy, PhD '82
• 2013, Ginette A. Pepper, BS '65, PhD '85
• 2012, Dori Biester, PhD '94, FAAN
• 2011, Corinne Koehler, BS '61
• 2009, Suiko Kumagai, BS '49
• 2008, Maxine Berlinger
• 2002, Olga Miercot, MS '72

Breaking new ground in nursing takes courage and vision. Our Pathfinder Award celebrates alumni who create pioneering programs, develop groundbreaking theories, or overcome obstacles to improve patient care. These trailblazers make impacts locally, nationally, and internationally while maintaining strong ties to CU Nursing. Nominees are chosen by the Dean’s Office, alumni, faculty, current nursing students, or professional colleagues.

• 2024, Sara Greene, DNP, APRN, `19
  
• 2023, LTC Christopher H. Stucky, PhD, RN, CNOR, CSSM, CNAMB, RN-BC, NEA-BC, FAAN
• 2022, Jennifer Disabato, DNP, CPNP-PC, AC, '86, '12
• 2021, Nuhad Dumit, RN, MA, PhD, '08
• 2017, Amanda Nenabar
• 2016, Sean Reed, BS '04, MS '05, PhD '11
• 2015, Judy Igoe, MS, PNP '68, RN; Dr. Henry Silver, MD, FAANP(H)
• 2014, Jean Watson, BS '64, MS '66, PhD '73
• 2013, Henrietta Adams Loughran
• 2013, Helen Nakagawa Budzinski, BS '50, Japanese American Alumni
• 2013, Alice Moriguchi, BS '50, Japanese American Alumni
• 2013, June Hosiko Iwata, BS '54, Japanese American Alumni
• 2013, Kim Sasano, BS '57, Japanese American Alumni
• 2012, Loretta Ford, BS '49, MS '51, EdD '61
• 2012, Zipporah Hammond

Excellence doesn't wait for retirement. Our Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes mid-career nurses who are already making significant contributions as clinicians, educators, leaders, or administrators. These professionals show exceptional promise in shaping nursing's future. Nominees are chosen by the Dean’s Office, alumni, faculty, current nursing students, or professional colleagues.

• 2024, Rebecca Singer, DNP, ND, MA, RN, `04
• 2024, Damon Toczylowski, DNP, ACNPC, CCNS, Major USAF (ret), `23
• 2023, Mary Beth Flynn Makic, PhD, RN, CCNS, CCRN-K, FAAN, FNAP, FCNS
• 2022, Sarah Birch, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, '04, '06, '07
• 2021, Karen Johnson, PhD, RN, FSAHM, FAAN, '07
• 2017, Carol Harvey
• 2016, Karen Zink, MS '87
• 2015, Sue Birch, BS '82, MBA '88, RN; Marie Scott Brown, MS '66, MA '70, PhD '71
• 2014, Sue Hagedorn, PhD '95
• 2013, Gertrude "Trude" Hembree, BS'53
• 2013, Kathleen S. Oman, MS '93, PhD '99
• 2012, Sharon Pappas, PhD '07, NEA-BC, FAAN
• 2010, Cathryn Anderson, BS '68
• 2009, Anne M. Gough, BSN '60, MS '61
• 2009, Christy Whitney, MS '88
• 2008, Martha Stoner, BS '66, MS '67, PhD '82
• 2007, Eugenia McClure, MS '54
• 2006, Linda F. Smith, MS '80
• 2005, Denise Geolot, MS '71
• 2001, Jerri Laube, MS '69
• 2001, Bari Kaye Platter, BSN '85, MS '90
• 2000, Shannon Perry, MS '71
• 1999, Fran Roberts, PhD '94
• 1993, Corinne Zabel Koehler, BSN '61
• 1992, Eleanor Brent, MS '73
• 1992, Ruth M. Neil, PhD '91
• 1991, Jane Nelson Fine, BSN '75
• 1991, Marjorie Sczekan, BSN '67
• 1990, Eleanor Krohn Herrmann, MS '60
• 1989, Ekna Fenske Hu, BSN '54
• 1988, Jane Ulsafer-Van Lanen, BSN '67, MS '69
• 1988, Lola Fehr, MS '75
• 1987, Eunice Blair, MS '62, EdD '72
• 1985, Dorothy Ellen Gregg, BS '43
• 1984, Helen Brady O'Donnel, RN '32
• 1973, Karren M. Kowalski, MS '71
• 1973, Loretta C. Ford, BS '49, MS '51, EdD '61
• 1973, Elva Jones Dulan, BS '48
• 1973, Margaret D. Lewis, MS '51
• 1973, Dorothy Ellen Gregg, BS '43
• 1973, Ruth Colestock, BA '20

The future of nursing starts with you. Within five years of graduation, some alumni already shine brightly. The Rising Star Award celebrates recent graduates who show extraordinary potential and maintain strong ties to CU Nursing. Nominees are chosen by the Dean’s Office, alumni, faculty, current nursing students, or professional colleagues.

• 2024, Chantal Dengah, DNP, CNM, `19, `21
• 2023, Christina Ellis, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC
• 2022, Omarah Macias, RN, BSN,'21
• 2021, Etzany Diaz Ocampo, RN, '18
• 2017, Sarah Ferrin
• 2016, M.J. Gani, BS '13
• 2015, Marion Hufford, BS '11, RN
• 2013, Kelly McIntosh, BS '09, RN

In partnership with The DAISY Foundation, we recognize exceptional nursing faculty and students who demonstrate remarkable compassion and clinical skills. The DAISY Award (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes and honors the heart of nursing care.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty

2023, Tammy Spencer, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, CCNS, CNE, `89, `10, `17
2022, Michelle Jhong, MA, BSN | BSN ‘19
2021, Megan Champion, FNP | MS '15
2020, Mary Beth Makic PhD, RN, CCNS, CCRN-K, FAAN, FNAP FCNS | PhD '07

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students

2023, Kelsey Connolly, BSN, `25
2022, Taylor Santangelo, BSN, RN | BSN ‘22
2021, Chantal Dengah, MSN, BSN | BSN '19, MSN '21
2020, Leo Tyler | UCAN '20
2020, Christian Alord | UCAN '20