Sigma's Alpha Nu Chapter induction and awards honor excellence of students and alumni

Excellence in scholarship and leadership was recognized by Sigma’s Alpha Nu Chapter, based at the Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, during its September 13 Induction and Awards Ceremony held in the Driscoll Hall Auditorium. Sigma is nursing's international honor society. 

Following a welcome from Vice President Susan Meyers, PhD, CPNP-PC, CNES, clinical instructor, Lesley Perry, PhD, RN, associate dean for Academic Affairs and professor, greeted those assembled.

Alumna Mary Beth Appel ‘81 BSN, MS, RN, CRNP, co-founder of Philadelphia’s Catholic Worker Free Clinic and House of Grace Catholic Worker Community, offered the keynote speech. “Who will be the nurse that the other people in the health care team and your patients will see? Maybe none of this is clear to you yet…continue to learn...and trust the process,” she advised the inductees.

Chapter President Bette Mariani, PhD, RN, ANEF, associate professor, presided over the event and placed an honor cord on inductees. The Chapter selected 130 undergraduate and graduate students for induction; each also received a certificate after being presented by Jennifer Ross, PhD, RN, CNE, Undergraduate Counselor and assistant professor, and Anne M. Fink, PhD, RN, CNE, Graduate Counselor and assistant dean for College and Student Services.

Katherine Lucatorto, DNP, RN, clinical assistant professor, presented candidates for the professional awards which included:

• Excellence in Nursing Practice - Cherie Salamy, BSN, RN, CPAN
• Excellence in Nursing Education - Jennifer Cummins Muner, MSN, RN
• Excellence in Nursing Leadership - Jennifer Specht, PhD, RN
• Theresa Christian Service Award - Veronica Sanchez, MSN, FNP-BC
• M. Louise Fitzpatrick Mentorship Award - Patricia Bradley, PhD, RN, FAAN.

With the exception of Dr. Bradley, all recipients are also alumnae of the College.

After the ceremony concluded with a blessing from Professor Nancy Sharts-Hopko, PhD, RN, FAAN, family and friends joined honorees for a reception which included the Caribbean sounds of a band from the Dominican Republic, one of the countries where Villanova Nursing students provide care to vulnerable populations as they gain value global perspective which will serve them well in their future professional practice.