Three Washington nurses to be honored at the NCSBN award ceremony

On Aug. 15 to 17, three Washington nurses will be honored by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing at its annual awards ceremony.

Washington's very own Lois Hoell, MS, MBA, RN, commission member, Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, and Suellyn Masek, MSN, RN, CNOR, commission member, Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission will each receive the Exceptional Contribution Award for their significant contribution and demonstrated support of NCSBN’s mission. A Service award will be given to Paula Meyer, MSN, RN, FRE, executive director, Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, for her work as an executive officer of the boards of nursing (BONs) for the past 20 years.

Congratulations to our Washington nurses for the recognition!

NCSBN will be recognizing other recipients for the Exceptional Contribution Award including:

• Gloria Damgaard, MS, RN, FRE, executive director, South Dakota Board of Nursing, will be honored with the R. Louise McManus Award for sustained and significant contributions through the highest commitment and dedication to the mission and vision of NCSBN.
• Gregory Y. Harris, JD, former board member, Arizona State Board of Nursing, and South Dakota State Senator Deb Soholt, MS, RN, former board member, South Dakota Board of Nursing, will each receive the Distinguished Achievement Award, given to individuals whose contributions or accomplishments have impacted NCSBN’s mission and vision.
• The College of Nurses of Ontario will be awarded the Regulatory Achievement Award, which 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.
• Former Minnesota Board of Nursing Executive Director Joyce M. Schowalter, MEd, RN, will be presented with the NCSBN Founders Award during a special Founders Luncheon on Aug.15. Schowalter served as the executive officer of the Minnesota Board of Nursing from 1973 until 1999. Following the establishment of NCSBN, she was elected to the organization’s first Board of Directors and later served as vice-president and president.

Service awards to executive officers of boards of nursing (BONs) will also include:

Five Years

• Kathleen Weinberg, MSN, RN, executive director, Iowa Board of Nursing
• Karen C. Lyon, PhD, RN, ACNS, NEA, executive director, Louisiana State Board of Nursing
• Jennifer Breton, LPN, RN, executive director, College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba
• Lynn Power, MN, RN, executive director, Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Lynsay Nair, LPN, executive director, Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses

10 Years

• Julia L. George, MSN, RN, FRE, executive director, North Carolina Board of Nursing

Founded March 15, 1978, NCSBN marks its 40th anniversary milestone in 2018 as an independent not-for-profit organization. NCSBN was initially created to lessen the burdens of state governments and bring together boards of nursing (BONs) to act and counsel together on matters of common interest. It has evolved into one of the leading voices of regulation across the world.