Distinguished nurses honored by College

Distinguished Nurses Honored by College

Mary Ann McGinley, Ph.D., R.N. - Medallion for Distinguished Service to the College of Nursing
Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia

Dr. McGinley is a consummate administrator whose reputation for combining management acumen, high expectations for her staff as well as enormous concern for them has earned her great respect and affection. Above all, her commitment to quality patient care has developed her reputation in the Philadelphia area and nationally, and has made her an exemplar of administrative leadership. Within a large urban medical environment, she provides a climate and contributes to a culture of excellence and commitment to patient care.

The College noted that Dr. McGinley, a well-regarded colleague, reflects the Augustinian values that inspire its mission and hers. Upon receiving the Medallion she also recognized that alignment of values and thanked the faculty for their “unwavering commitment to preparing the next generation of nurses” citing the “successful and valued partnership” between the two organizations.

AnnMarie Young Papa ’77 B.S.N., ’95 M.S.N., D.N.P., R.N., CEN, NE-BC, FAEN- Medallion for Excellence in Clinical Practice
Interim clinical director, emergency nursing and clinical nurse specialist, emergency department, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; president, Emergency Nurses Association

In her current position, which evolved after years of experience, Dr. Papa manages and leads the staff that administers emergency care. She contributes to strategic planning designed to be reflective of current trends in emergency care, and creates an environment that assists her staff in being responsive to the community and its many crises. She frequently speaks on emergency care and leadership topics and is the recipient of multiple awards for her contributions to emergency nursing, its management and education.

Dr. Papa is a clinical expert, a nursing leader and loyal Villanovan. She shares her expertise globally and has made important contributions to emergency care. Upon receiving the Medallion she recalled Villanova as the place where she learned “to search for truth, to ask why and to never be complacent with the status quo.”

Tara Siegal Cortes, ’67 B.S.N., Ph.D., R.N., FAAN - Medallion for Distinguished Contributions to the Profession
Executive director of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, professor and Mathy D. Mezey Chair, Geriatric Nursing, New York University College of Nursing

A consistent theme across Dr. Cortes’ professional career is her leadership and scholarship on the essential role of advanced - practice nurses in improving the quality of life within specific patient populations, and collaboration among health care disciplines. Her work has contributed to the reduction of disparities in access to care and to supporting healthy aging across the continuum of care. She has helped to change policy and practice in geriatrics as well as in low-vision and blindness care through the utilization of advanced-practice nurses.

Dr. Cortes was honored for her exemplary career spanning executive leadership, nursing education, scholarship and practice and her efforts to influence quality care of the aged and disabled. After receiving the Medallion, she called her education at Villanova “four of the most important years” of her life and explained that the College taught her not only “how to do, but also how to be” when it came to developing as a nurse, including leading with integrity.