Celebrating Nursing Achievements: The 31st Annual Mass and Alumni Awards
The achievements of distinguished alumnae were celebrated on April 23 during the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing’s 31st Annual Mass and Alumni Awards Ceremony, held in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church. The Rev. Robert P. Hagan, OSA, Prior Provincial-Elect and Senior Associate Athletic Director/Student-Athlete Welfare, presided. This 2022 event was the first held after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donna S. Havens, PhD, RN, FAAN, Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor, bestowed the College’s Medallion in recognition of distinguished achievement to two honorees, and presented a third award on behalf of campus colleagues. Those honored were:
Dr. Lesley Perry (left) and Dr. Kelly Reilly '16 PhD received the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Medallion from Dean Donna Havens on April 23, 2022.
Lesley A. Perry, PhD
Medallion for Distinguished Service to the College
Dr. Lesley Perry has been a pillar of academic and operational leadership within the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing since her arrival in 2006. During her time at Villanova, she served as Associate Dean, Professor and finally Interim Dean following Dean Fitzpatrick’s death in 2017. Dr. Perry has provided critical leadership for academic programs, daily operations, strategic planning, faculty recruitment and development in the College. She served an integral role in the planning and design of Driscoll Hall, the College’s 2010 reaccreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, applications for Center of Excellence in Nursing Education redesignations from the National League for Nursing and the renaming and branding of the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. Over the years, Dr. Perry has chaired the dissertation committees for numerous doctoral students and successfully obtained grant funding for College initiatives. Dr. Perry’s leadership set the foundation for the next level of the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing.
Kelly Reilly ’16 PhD
Medallion for Distinguished Contributions to the Profession
Dr. Kelly Reilly exemplifies leadership in nursing practice. Through her different professional roles, she was responsible for the development and execution of vision and strategy for improved patient and family experience and for use of Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems data to improve practice and optimize outcomes across the Maimonides Medical Center. She developed institutional standards and was largely responsible for staff education through robust training programs for new and incumbent providers. Today, Dr. Reilly continues her mission as an independent consultant where she strives to establish environments in the service and academic arenas that empower Nurses to think, innovate and achieve.
Dean Donna Havens (left) presented Dr. Tyonne Hinson with her award on April 23 on behalf of the Villanova University Alumni Association.
On behalf of the Villanova University Alumni Association (VUAA), Dean Havens presented Dr. Hinson – VUAA’s 2019 recipient – with her award which was to have been given to her in 2020.
Tyonne D. Hinson ’01 MSN, DrPH
Dr. Terry Nance Award for Inclusive Excellence
Since May 2018, Dr. Tyonne Hinson has served as Director for Nursing Diversity Initiatives and the Nursing Career Lattice Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. With more than 20 years of experience, her career has blended a strong background in executive nursing leadership with focuses on neonatal intensive care and maternal-fetal health, global public health, health equity and cross-cultural competencies. She has championed Villanova Nurses, diversity and inclusion initiatives and the leading role Nurses play in tackling public health challenges.