(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 08, 2009 ) Award honors collaborative efforts between health care systems and nursing schools


Indianapolis – For the first time, the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) will present the Practice/Academe Innovative Collaboration Award at the 2009 biennial convention. This honor is given to a group or groups of nursing school and health care systems that successfully collaborate on a project that accomplishes the mission of STTI.

The 2009 recipient is the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), in partnership with the 21 Best Practice Spotlight Organizations and the joint RNAO/University of Ottawa Nursing Best Practice Research Unit, for “Celebrating 10 Years of Collaboration in Advancing Evidence-Based Practice.”

“This award recognizes the significance of collaboration between nursing practice and academia to improve the health of the world’s people,” said Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, FAAN, co-chairwoman of the award judging committee.

Since these partnerships formed in 1999, 35 clinical and seven healthy work environment best practice guidelines have been created – all available at no cost (www.rnao.org). In addition, the RNAO leads the effort for several national guideline implementation initiatives.

“Sigma Theta Tau International is the most appropriate organization to bestow this award since its worldwide membership is made up of nurses in practice and academia who are using knowledge and leadership to improve the health of the world’s people,” said Jane Kirschling, RN, DNS, co-chairwoman of the judging committee.

Among the award-winning team members:
• Barbara L. Davies, PhD
University of Ottawa, School of Nursing
Tau Gamma Chapter

• Heather McConnell, RN, BScN, MA(Ed)
RNAO and 21 BPSOs
Lambda Pi-at-Large Chapter

• Irmajean Bajnok, RN, PhD
RNAO and 21 BPSOs
Lambda Pi-at-Large Chapter

• Kirsten Woodend, PhD
University of Ottawa, School of Nursing
Tau Gamma Chapter

The International Awards for Nursing Excellence will be presented at the 40th Biennial Convention in November in Indianapolis. Visit www.nursingsociety.org for event information.

The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the learning, knowledge, and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in health worldwide. Founded in 1922, STTI has inducted more than 400,000 members in 86 countries. Members include practicing nurses, instructors, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and others. The STTI's 469 chapters are located at 586 institutions of higher education throughout Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, The Netherlands, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, the United States and Wales. More information about the STTI can be found online at www.nursingsociety.org.

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