|
Links Home UMB CNHS CINAHL NIH HHS MA DPH Research Grants About Us President's Message Newsletter Scholarship The Compass Membership and Award Forms STT Region 15 Baystate Consortium |
University of Massachusetts Boston College of Nursing and Health Sciences The 20th Theta Alpha Chapter Induction and Awards Ceremony was celebrated on Saturday, April 24th, 2004 at the Phillips Old Colony House in Dorchester. Forty-one (41) inductees, accompanied by their families and loved ones, joined faculty and invited guests for this wonderful occasion. The ceremony began with a few opening remarks by our chapter president Stephanie Devik, followed by formal greetings and congratulations by Interim College of Nursing Dean Dr. Kristine Alster. Our Keynote speaker, Maureen Cooper, RN, BSN, CEN, Region 15 Coordinator STTI, delivered a challenge to the new inductees with her presentation of Nursing Career in the 21st Century. Maureen's message from the start was "plan to be active". She went on to describe three types of people: "People who make things happen; people who watch things happen; and people who wonder what happened." She exhorted the inductees to join the ranks of those who make things happen because nurses, the most trusted of health care professionals according to surveys, still do not possess the image of being at the forefront of health care. Maureen quoted past president of STTI Vernice Ferguson who once told her not to be an "appliance nurse", that is a nurse who solely goes to work to pay for the new washing machine or refrigerator, but to be a leader wherever she works and to make a difference. Maureen's closing pitch was: "Seize the opportunity. Become an active member. Make Sigma membership mean more than a line on your CV. Make your chapter strong by being someone who makes things happen. Be a joiner. Get involved; it is much more fun than sitting on the sidelines." The induction of new members came next. President Stephanie Devik introduced something new at this year's ceremony. Prior to induction day, she invited each candidate to submit biographical information about themselves, and the response was overwhelming. So this year, as candidates were summoned to step up to the stage, a biographical sketch on each was read by President Elect Richard Ruel. Judging by the feedback, this innovation was very well received as it personalized the new inductees and refocused the ceremony on them as was intended by President Devik. Following the induction of new members, President Devik inducted Richard Ruel as the chapter's new president. Richard is a psychiatric/mental health clinical instructor at UMASS Boston. He also works for the Department of Mental Health as an investigations manager and clinical specialist for their Office of Investigations. Stephanie, a critical care nurse by specialty, is employed by South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Ma. where she works in the ICU. As the ceremony progressed, Richard Ruel, chairperson of the awards committee, conducted the presentation of awards: Margaret Anderson Memorial Scholarship: Seth Katz. In Seth's absence, the award was accepted by his parents, who received a standing ovation. Seth is a US Army National Guard Specialist who is currently serving in Iraq. Theta Alpha Undergraduate Scholarship: Lisa Defalco Theta Alpha Graduate Scholarship Award: Susan Frazier, BSN, RN Theta Alpha Doctoral Student Scholarship: Gail Barlow Gall, MS, RN Anne Kibrick Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership: Stephanie Devik, BSN, RN. Dr. Kibrick was our special guest at this year's induction ceremony. Pearl Rosendahl Award for Excellence in Nursing Education: Margaret McAllister, RN Theta Alpha Award for Excellence in Nursing Research: Carol Hall Ellenbecker, Ph.D, RN Maureen Oh'Eigeartaigh Award for Excellence in Nursing Practice: Katie Williams Kafel, MS, RN Theta Alpha Outstanding Service to Nursing Award: John C. Warner, Ph.D. Dr. Warner is a Professor of Chemistry at UMASS Boston. Theta Alpha Heart of Nursing Award: Diana Newman, EdD, RN Theta Alpha Chapter President's Award: Richard Ruel, MS, RN & Timothy Devik, JD There was something special in the air at this year's induction ceremony, probably because it was our Chapter's 20th anniversary. We also had an opportunity to do a little fundraising with a raffle and a silent auction, which featured an autographed photo of Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, courtesy of the Boston Red Sox. |