Alumni Awards

We value opportunities to recognize the impact and achievements of the alumni and friends of the School of Nursing. Celebrating the announcement of the Nurses Alumni Organization (NAO) alumni awards is a tradition I look forward to each year. Recipients of the NAO’s Distinguished Achievement Award and Outstanding Badger Nurse Award are honored each fall during the School’s homecoming events. It was a pleasure to recognize these two Badger nurse leaders as the 2021 award winners at the NAO tailgate in October 2021.  

Linda Kautza Procci ’72, MSN’74, embodies the traits that the 2021 Distinguished Achievement Award seeks to honor. Her contributions to health care through organizational leadership, operations, and advocacy have been fueled by her intellect, integrity, and passion to improve health outcomes. It is a special honor for me to congratulate Dr. Procci, as she also contributes to the School of Nursing through her service on the Board of Visitors and as a co-chair of the Alumni Engagement Committee. She is a fierce advocate for the School and the University of Wisconsin–Madison as a whole. Dr. Procci’s commitment to the School of Nursing has strengthened the School and the Badger nurse family. 

It brings me joy to announce Emily Hansen Schumacher ’10, DNP’18, as the 2021 Outstanding Badger Nurse Award recipient. Dr. Schumacher brings energy, creativity, and drive to serve others in her professional practice, and in her voluntary contributions through the Nurses Alumni Organization board and Alumni Engagement Committee. The Outstanding Badger Nurse Award is intended to honor the impact on health made by our recent alumni. Dr. Schumacher and our past Outstanding Badger Nurse Award recipients exemplify that Badger nurses are prepared to serve the profession and society through their leadership. I am excited to see where her continued growth and development will take her in the future.  

I am always proud to celebrate how Badger nurses change lives. Congratulations to Linda and Emily!  

On, Wisconsin!

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses’ Alumni Organization (NAO) was founded in 1927 and continues to recognize alumni and promote connection to the School of Nursing. Each year, the NAO receives nominations for Badger nursing alumni to be recognized and honored for their contributions to the nursing profession. As the Alumni Relations Officer for the UW–Madison School of Nursing, I cannot fully express my appreciation and gratitude for these two Badger nurses. It is with great excitement that I congratulate the 2021 University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses Alumni Association award winners: Linda Kautza Procci ’72, MSN’74, and Emily Hansen Schumacher ’10, DNP’18. 

Linda is beyond deserving of this award. Candidates and past Distinguished Alumni Award winners have demonstrated the dedication and integrity needed to raise the quality of nursing leadership. Linda has dedicated her life to the nursing profession and mission of organizational excellence. She is committed to moving the School of Nursing and UW–Madison forward in countless ways. It is a privilege to work with her and learn from her. 

The Outstanding Badger Nursing Award is an impactful way to recognize our recent graduates as they are starting their nursing careers. Emily has been a leader since stepping foot on the UW–Madison campus. She brings her passion for helping others to patients and families, while also remaining involved with the School of Nursing and Nurses Alumni Organization. I look forward to the next chapters Emily’s career and engagement will bring. 

These two awards serve as symbols of tradition and commitment to honoring Badger nurses. As our world continues to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to recognize the incredible individuals who selflessly put themselves on the front lines of care, leadership, and research. This year we celebrate Linda and Emily, and I hope our Badger nurses near and far will continue to cheer them on. 

On, Wisconsin! 

The annual alumni awards have become a strong tradition since Signe Skott Cooper was the first to be honored with this achievement back in 1984. The Nurses Alumni Organization is proud to build upon this tradition and announce Linda Kautza Procci ’72, MSN’74, and Emily Hansen Schumacher ’10, DNP’18, as this year’s recipients! Linda and Emily exemplify the School of Nursing’s legacy of excellence in nursing leadership. It’s an honor for me to know both of our winners personally and frequently collaborate with them on advancing our School of Nursing.

Congratulations, Linda and Emily!