Q&A 2019 NAO Award winners: NANCY KAUFMAN ’71 AND JESSICA KENDALL ’14
Each year, the Nurses Alumni Organization Awards salute alumni who have made significant contributions to the nursing profession. Recipients of the Distinguished Achievement Award and the Outstanding Badger Nursing 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. The deadline for nominations is September 1 each year.
Nominate a Badger Nurse
Outstanding alumni are recognized annually by 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 given annually to one UW–Madison graduate who has achieved prominence in their field and made contributions of enduring impact.
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Recipients
- 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
In nominating an individual, please discuss how the nominee shows these characteristics:
- demonstrates such integrity, stature, intellect, and renown that the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing will take pride in, and be inspired by, his or her recognition;
- has raised the quality of nursing care through research, scholarship, education, or practice;
- exemplifies the outstanding caliber of alumni from the UW–Madison School of Nursing;
- enacts the significance of their education from the UW–Madison School of Nursing, demonstrating pride, loyalty, and continued interest in both the university and the nursing school.
Outstanding Badger Nursing Award
The Outstanding Badger Nursing Award is given every two years to one UW–Madison graduate who has earned a BS degree in nursing within the past 10 years.
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Recipients
- Jessica Kendall (2019)
- Elisha Smith (2017)
- Ashley Rusch (2015)
Characteristics of a Successful Nominee
In nominating an individual, please discuss how the nominee shows these characteristics:
- demonstrates success in volunteerism and professional life;
- exemplifies Badger spirit in terms of energy, creativity, and drive;
- enacts the significance of their education from the UW–Madison School of Nursing, demonstrating pride, loyalty, and continued interest in both the university and the nursing school.