Alumni Awards

A special School of Nursing tradition is the announcement of the Distinguished Achievement Award and Outstanding Badger Nurse Award winners, who are nominated and selected through the Nurses’ Alumni Organization (NAO), during Homecoming at the NAO tailgate. This year we did not get to present these awards in person, but it is my pleasure to recognize our 2020 NAO award recipients. Both are worthy of celebration as Badger nurses, serving as leaders in the profession and society.

Ms. Cassie Dietrick, BSN, who graduated in December 2019, is the 2020 Outstanding Badger Nurse Award recipient. The journey that led her to the attainment of her BSN is part of what makes her outstanding. Once she knew that she wanted to complete her nursing education through our BSN@Home program, she did so while managing the demands of a growing family, jobs, engagement in the Wisconsin Air National Guard, . Ms. Dietrick’s energy, creativity, and drive to succeed in personal and professional life exemplifies the Badger spirit. I respect the determination it has taken to get here, and I congratulate Cassie Dietrick knowing she is prepared to change lives as a Badger nurse.

Ms. Canary Girardeau, MS, RN, completed her Registered Nurse Certification at the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Nursing more than 65 years ago. She is recognized as the first African American graduate of the School. Ms. Girardeau has led programs and initiatives to improve health and wellbeing, meeting the health needs in communities and individuals wherever she has lived and worked, and has been recognized multiple times as outstanding an outstanding nurse. Ms. Girardeau exemplifies the traits that the Distinguished Achievement Award seeks to honor. Her contributions to health are enduring and made possible by her intellect, integrity, and passionate engagement to promote healthy communities. It is a special honor for me, as the School of Nursing’s first dean of color, to recognize Canary Girardeau, our first African American graduate, as the 2020 Distinguished Achievement Award recipient.

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 solicits nominations for 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 honor and excitement that I congratulate the 2020 University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses’ Alumni Association award winners: Canary Savage Girardeau, Cert ’55, and Cassondra Dietrick ’19.

After receiving a glowing nomination for the Distinguished Achievement Award (DAA), there was no question that Canary Savage Girardeau was deserving of this award. Candidates and past DAA winners have demonstrated the dedication and integrity needed to raise the quality of nursing leadership.  Canary has dedicated her life to the nursing profession and mission of caring. She received her certificate in nursing in 1955—making her the first black woman to graduate from the UW–Madison School of Nursing. She has been committed to leading public health initiatives for over 60 years and continues to serve others. The UW–Madison School of Nursing community is extremely proud to have her within our Badger nurse family!

The Outstanding Badger Nurse Award (OBNA) is given annually to a UW–Madison School of Nursing graduate who has earned any nursing degree within the last ten years. These individuals may be in the beginning stages of their tenure career, yet they have demonstrated tremendous drive and leadership in their positions. Cassondra (Cassie) Dietrick completed her bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) in 2019 while deployed in Afghanistan. She was recognized by the Chancellor’s Office prior to the 2019 Winter Commencement as a notable graduate. Cassie currently serves within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Meriter Hospital in Madison. She brings her passion for helping others to patients and families during challenging experiences. Cassie’s story of determination and dedication is inspiring, and I look forward to the next chapters yet to be written.

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 and research. This year we celebrate Canary and Cassie from afar, but there are thousands of Badger nurses around the world cheering them on. Once again, I congratulate our two award winners and thank our NAO members for helping to recognize their accomplishments! On, Wisconsin!

Each year, the Nurses’ Alumni Organization salutes alumni who have made significant contributions to the nursing profession. This has 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 Canary Girardeau, Cert ’55, and Cassondra Dietrick ’19 as this year’s winners! Canary and Cassondra exemplify the School’s legacy of excellence in nursing leadership. Traditionally, the winners of the awards are honored during homecoming week at the Nurses’ Alumni Organization tailgate party, which was cancelled this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The winners will instead be celebrated through online communication outlets over the next year.  Congratulations again, Canary and Cassondra!