Q & A with 2021 NAO Award Winners, Linda Kautza Procci '72, MSN'74, PhD and Emily Hansen Schumacher '10, DNP'18
Each year, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses Alumni Organization (UW NAO) Awards salute alumni who have made significant contributions to the nursing profession. Recipients of the Distinguished Achievement Award and the Outstanding Badger Nurse Award exemplify the school’s legacy of excellence in nursing leadership. Nominees can be recognized for teaching, scholarship, clinical practice, nursing leadership, nursing research, community service, or alumni participation. Nominations are open from December 1, 2022 through February 20, 2023.
About the 2021 Award Winners
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From School of Nursing Dean Linda D. Scott
We value opportunities to recognize the impact and achievements of the alumni and friends of the School of Nursing. Celebrating the announcement of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses Alumni Organization (NAO) alumni awards is a tradition I look forward to each year. Recipients of the UW 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, PhD 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!
From Alumni Relations Officer, Jordan Langer
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses Alumni Organization (UW NAO) was founded in 1927 and continues to recognize alumni and promote connection to the School of Nursing. Each year, the UW 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 Organization award winners: Linda Kautza Procci ’72, MSN’74, PhD, 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!
From UW NAO President, Taylor Hayes
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 University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses Alumni Organization is proud to build upon this tradition and announce Linda Kautza Procci ’72, MSN’74, PhD 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!
Nominate a Badger Nurse
Alumni are recognized annually through the NAO Alumni Awards for both recent and career-long contributions to the nursing profession.
“This is where I came from, and getting this award from UW–Madison is just the ultimate accomplishment. I am thankful that I got both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UW–Madison. They weren’t just degrees. They really did fuel progress in my career.”
Dr. Michelle Byrne, ’79, MS ’86, 2017 Distinguished Achievement Award Recipient
Awards & Recipients
Distinguished Achievement Award
The Distinguished Achievement Award is the University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses Alumni Organization’s top award. This award is given in recognition and appreciation for exceptional achievement throughout this individual's career. This award is given annually to one University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing graduate.
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Recipients
- Linda Kautza Procci (2021)
- Canary Savage Girardeau (2020)
- Nancy Kaufman (2019)
- Susan Gold (2018)
- Michelle (Paetsch) Byrne (2017)
- Kathlyn Steele (2016)
- Peggy Zimdars (2015)
- Terry Lennie (2014)
- Maryalice Jordan-Marsh (2011)
- Ceclie Lengascer (2009)
- Kay Lillesand (2006)
- Mary Behrens (2005)
- Irene Sandvold (2004)
- Mary Nies (2003)
- Ona Ziehli Riggin (2002)
- Monica Newton (2001)
- Constance Curran (2000)
- Patricia Lasky (1999)
- Joanne Disch (1998)
- Karen Frick Pridham (1998)
- Rosemary Berchem (1997)
- John Clochesy (1996)
- Kathleen Henderson Poi (1995)
- Sharon VanderZyl (1994)
- Judy Robson (1993)
- Sally Peterson Karioth (1992)
- Ruth Schumacher Lutze (1991)
- Patricia Colligan McNelly (1991)
- Eugenia Schoen (1990)
- Ellen Hooker Zimmerman (1989)
- Diane Kjervik (1989)
- Gene Cranston Anderson (1988)
- Mitzi Duxbury (1987)
- Barbara Moilien Gruendemann (1986)
- Alice Simonds (1986)
- Florence Gurholt Wetzel (1985)
- Signe Skott Cooper (1984)
Characteristics of a Successful Nominee
The recipient embodies the following qualities or criteria:
- Reflects the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing as a leader for the profession and society.
- Made or continues to make an impact in one or more areas: enhanced systems, improved health through research, education, practice, or community service.
- Provides inspiration for current students, faculty, and alumni as a Badger nurse who has changed lives.
- Committed to diversity, inclusion, and raising awareness for health equity.
Outstanding Badger Nurse Award
This award is given in recognition and appreciation for exceptional achievement for this individual's early career. This award is given annually to one University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing graduate who has earned a nursing degree within the last ten years.
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Recipients
- Emily Hansen Schumacher (2021)
- Cassondra (Cassie) Dietrick (2020)
- Jessica Kendall (2019)
- Elisha Smith (2017)
- Ashley Rusch Fielek (2015)
Characteristics of a Successful Nominee
The recipient embodies the following qualities or criteria:
- Serves as an outstanding role model for current and future nurses.
- Demonstrates the importance of being a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing and being a Badger nurse through engagement or volunteerism.
- Early career success or achievement aimed at impacting the nursing profession in one or more of the following areas: patient care, research, teaching, health services administration, or community service.
- Committed to diversity, inclusion, and raising awareness for health equity.