2018 Member Awards & Achievements

2018 NCSBN Annual Meeting

NCSBN met in Minneapolis, Aug. 15-17, 2018, to consider pertinent association business with its member boards of nursing (BONs). There were 59 member boards represented by delegates.

NCSBN Board of Directors President Julia George, MSN, RN, FRE, executive director, North Carolina Board of Nursing, noted, “Our 2018 Delegate Assembly with its theme of ‘Surging Toward the Future,’ was very inspiring as we celebrated our 40th anniversary and reflected on our organizational history. It was also very timely as we will start our strategic planning cycle later this year. As I begin my term as president, I am honored to be a part of our strategic thinking and planning for the future, and look forward to working with all of our members.”

Highlights of some of the significant actions approved by the member BONs include

Approval of the terms and conditions of NCSBN Exam User membership;
Approval of the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia, the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba and the College of Nurses of Ontario as exam user members;
Approval of the National Center for Independent Examination (NCIE) - Kazakhstan as an associate member of NCSBN;
Election of new members of the NCSBN Board of Directors and Leadership Succession Committee;
Adoption of the 2019 NCLEX-RN Test Plan; and
Approval to convene a forum of state board regulators with expertise in APRN issues to investigate the challenges BONs are experiencing in relation to the implementation of the APRN Consensus Model, and to report on these findings to the 2019 Delegate Assembly.

Congratulations to our 2018 Award Recipients

NCSBN recognized its dedicated and exceptional membership and guests at its annual awards ceremony.

Photography: Tricia Koning Photography

Videos: Plum Productions

R. Louise McManus Award

The R. Louise McManus Award is the most prestigious award. Individuals nominated for this award shall have made sustained and significant contributions through the highest commitment and dedication to the mission and vision of NCSBN.

2018 R. Louise McManus Award Recipient:

Gloria Damgaard, MS, RN, FRE

Executive Director, South Dakota Board of Nursing

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Distinguished Achievement Award

The Distinguished Achievement Award is given to individuals whose contributions or accomplishments have impacted NCSBN’s mission and vision.

2018 Distinguished Achievement Award Recipient:

Gregory Y. Harris, JD

Former Board Member, Arizona State Board of Nursing

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2018 Distinguished Achievement Award Recipient:

South Dakota State Sen. Deb Soholt, MS, RN

Former Board Member, South Dakota Board of Nursing

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Exceptional Contribution Award

The Exceptional Contribution Award is granted for significant contribution by a member who is not a president or executive officer.

2018 Exceptional Contribution Award Recipient:

Lois Hoell, MS, MBA, RN

Commission Member, Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission

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2018 Exceptional Contribution Award Recipient:

Suellyn Masek, MSN, RN, CNOR

Commission Member, Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission

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Regulatory Achievement Award

The Regulatory Achievement Award 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.

2018 Regulatory Achievement Award Recipient:

College of Nurses of Ontario

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Founders Award

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.

2018 Founders Award Recipient:

Joyce M. Schowalter, MEd, RN

Former Executive Director, Minnesota Board of Nursing

Institute of Regulatory Excellence (IRE) Fellows

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.

The 2018 class of Fellows includes (left to right):

Melissa W. McDonald, MS-HRD

Chief Human Resources Officer, North Carolina Board of Nursing

Cathy Dinauer, MSN, RN

Executive Director, Nevada State Board of Nursing

Ruby R. Jason, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

Executive Director, Oregon State Board of Nursing

Shelley MacGregor, MBA, RN, RN Consultant

Registration Services, College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta

Executive Officer Recognition Awards

The award is given in five-year increments to individuals serving in the Executive Officer role. No nomination is necessary for the Executive Officer Recognition Award as it is presented to Executive Officers based on his or her years of service in five-year increments.

Five Years of Service (left to right, top to bottom):

Karen C. Lyon, PhD, RN, ACNS, NEA

Executive Director, Louisiana State Board of Nursing

Lynn Power, MN, RN

Executive Director, Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador

Kathleen Weinberg, MSN, RN

Executive Director, Iowa Board of Nursing

Jennifer Breton, LPN, RN (not pictured)

Executive Director, College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba

Lynsay Nair, LPN (not pictured)

Executive Director, Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses