Nursing Trailblazer Barbara L. Nichols is Inaugural Recipient of the Canary Savage Girardeau Award
The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing is pleased to announce the recipient of the inaugural Canary Savage Girardeau Award for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Barbara L. Nichols, MS, DL(h), SDc(h), PedD(h), RN, FAAN, has been selected as the first recipient of the School of Nursing’s new award.
Known for her visionary leadership, advocacy, and political expertise throughout her 60-plus-year career, Nichols has been a nurse leader and executive, impacting the nursing profession through organizational leadership, policymaking, and partnership with leaders across health care professions. After spending the first 20 years of her career as a direct care nurse, she has focused the last 44 years on leadership and policymaking in professional associations and health care organizations. At 85 years of age, she continues to pursue her passion of addressing the need for racial and ethnic inclusion in the nursing profession as an independent consultant.
About the Canary Savage Girardeau Award
Named in honor of the first African American graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing, the Canary Savage Girardeau Award for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is presented to a graduate, current student, faculty, community partner, or staff member from the School of Nursing for notable work or responsive advocacy that reflects the School’s commitment to health equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Recipients focus on the needs of those whose health status or social condition leaves them vulnerable or places them at risk. They increase participation in health care research, promote sharing of diverse interprofessional perspectives, provide tools to support those working with vulnerable populations, and enhance community engagement or access to resources that promote health and well-being.
Characteristics of a Successful Nominee
- Nominee is a graduate, student, faculty, staff member, or community partner of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing.
- Demonstrates substantial involvement with historically underserved and/or marginalized racial, ethnic, and economically disadvantaged communities or identities.
- Demonstrates tangible work towards identifying barriers to health equity, diversity, and inclusion:
- Proposed or implemented solutions known to reduce or eliminate barriers to health or access to quality health care.
- Nominator should provide evidence of outcomes, such as examples of reduced barriers or increased access to care.
- Displays action through advocacy, supports an initiative, or leads a project aimed at inclusion or equity.
- Expresses pride, loyalty, and engagement with the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing.
Nominate an Award Recipient
Nominations are open from May 1 through July 1, 2024.
"When you’re providing care for others or improving systems, you work to do the best you can, but you also think about what will make lives better. It's rewarding to know that my work made an impact."
Canary Savage Girardeau, Cert ’55
About Canary Savage Girardeau
Canary Savage Girardeau, Cert ’55, completed her Registered Nurse Certification at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing more than 65 years ago and is recognized as the first African American graduate of the School. She is presently a senior program associate at Summit Health Institute for Research and Education (SHIRE) in Washington, D.C., where she contributes her nursing expertise to the organization and has been instrumental in implementing Wellness Circles for District of Columbia residents with chronic conditions.
