Three distinguished alumnae honored by College of Nursing

Villanova, PA, April 15, 2008 — Villanova University College of Nursing honored three distinguished alumnae with its highest award, the College of Nursing Medallion. The awards were presented by Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor M. Louise Fitzpatrick Ed.D., R.N., FAAN at the 19th Annual Mass and Alumni Awards Ceremony on April 5 held in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the University campus. The event is co-sponsored by the College and its Nursing Alumni Society.

Claire A. Baldwin, M.S.N. ‘86 Distinguished Achievement in Nursing and Healthcare Administration

The philosophy of community care is demonstrated in the attitude and practice of Claire Baldwin. Baldwin earned her master’s degree in nursing education at Villanova in 1986. For the last eight years, she has served in one of the most demanding positions in any health care facility: vice president for Patient Care Services. In this position at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pa., part of the Main Line Health System, she is responsible for the administrative and managerial functions within the Emergency Department, all nursing services throughout the entire hospital, as well as the administration of the Pharmacy and Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

Baldwin’s ability to manage complex departments and diverse groups of people developed early in her career as a staff nurse, and clinical instructor in Massachusetts and New York. Her career at Bryn Mawr Hospital began in 1984 and has progressed over nearly 25 years of service at that institution. In her current role, both the cost and quality of patient care depend on Baldwin’s skill, her understanding of patient needs, medical priorities and the importance of safe care delivered in a respectful environment of high quality and reasonable cost. Baldwin has demonstrated over and over her acumen as an administrator and her sensitivity and clinical knowledge as a nurse which informs important administrative decisions. She was also one of the key people at Bryn Mawr when Main Line Health System sought and was granted several years ago the prestigious Magnet Status by the American Nurses Credentialing Center recognizing the quality of nursing practice there. Baldwin has been a positive influence in the growth and development of the Main Line Health System and its leadership.  Despite her numerous administrative responsibilities and the demands on her time, Baldwin is a frequent visitor to patient units and to the patients themselves. She is the ambassador of Bryn Mawr Hospital to its friends and neighbors who look to it for care and healing. She is the trusted colleague of the physicians who practice there and who depend on and respect her opinion. Among her colleague nurses, she is a leader who understands their challenges and their need to transition in their practice. She encourages their continuing education and is their strong voice and advocate. Baldwin acknowledges that her hospital affords her the opportunity to practice nursing every day. She recalled her days at Villanova, “…Most of all I remember the people. They make it what it is.” Saying her purpose is to serve others, she expressed gratitude to Villanova for giving her the skills, passion and spirit that help her meet her goals.

Cynthia Blank-Reid, B.S.N. ‘83 Clinical Excellence in Nursing
Cynthia Blank-Reid embodies the adage “high tech, high touch.” As the trauma clinical nurse specialist at Temple University Hospital, she practices in a complex critical care environment yet never forgets about the people who surround her. Blank-Reid brings clinical expertise, passion for nursing and love of patient care to the many nurses, physicians and caregivers who comprise the Temple Trauma Team. She is described as being relentless in the pursuit of excellence in patient care.  

Blank-Reid earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Villanova in 1983. For over three years she has been in her current position at Temple which builds on her long career in emergency and trauma nursing.  She is responsible for developing, implementing and coordinating the institution’s trauma education programs for other hospitals as well as for physicians, nurses and allied health personnel on staff.  Blank-Reid extends the reach of trauma education even more broadly.  She is the past president of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses and has held leadership positions on numerous professional boards. She has presented at over 200 local, national and international conferences and authored numerous publications in professional journals.

Blank-Reid reflects the College’s mission of service and scholarly nursing practice. She seeks to work for those organizations with little in terms of resources. Throughout her career, she says, she has learned that in taking care of people who have few material possessions “there is much to be done with their souls and spirits…everyone is entitled to respect and dignity.”

Judith D. Hamilton, B.S.N. ’72, M.S.N. ‘82 Service to the Community and the College of Nursing
The College of Nursing recognized an alumna of both its bachelor’s and master’s programs for her ongoing contributions to volunteer efforts over and above her daily work as a family nurse practitioner with Virtua Family Health Care in Camden, N.J.  With competence and quiet resolve, Judy Hamilton demonstrates her commitment to her alma mater’s mission and the people who benefit from her clinical expertise.  Without fail, every Tuesday evening, she can be found in South Philadelphia volunteering her professional skills as a family nurse practitioner at Unity Clinic.  Unity Clinic is located at the site of the former St. Agnes Hospital. The clinic was developed in collaboration with the College, as one of the activities of the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor.  It provides free healthcare services to adults, the majority of whom are members of the immigrant Indonesian community.

The faculty and graduate nurse practitioner students of the College are the primary care providers at the clinic. When it opened, a call went out from the College inviting our nursing alumni who are nurse practitioners to volunteer their time and talent. Hamilton not only responded but has maintained an almost unbroken record of volunteer service. With expertise, and in her quiet, confident manner, Hamilton serves faithfully and cares for her patients with respect, kindness and seriousness of purpose. She is making a difference in the lives of her patients with the goal of improving their health and quality of life.

Throughout her 35 years in nursing, Hamilton has used her education and clinical skills for the benefit of people from the inner cities of Camden and Philadelphia. She cited the College as providing her with a strong education and equally strong set of values. An exemplar of volunteerism, Hamilton says, “I do my volunteer work…to help others...thanks is never expected.”