REPORT: September 2006

At 2006 Convention: NYSNA celebrates outstanding achievement

by Diane Pineiro-Zucker

On Oct. 7 in New York City, NYSNA’s Board of Directors will confer awards on individuals whose contributions have fostered “the protection of the public and the advancement of the profession.”

Economic and General Welfare Award

Ann Tahaney, RN
Ann Tahaney is the assistant head nurse in the Emergency Department at the North Shore University Hospital at Syosset. A NYSNA member since 1973, she is president of the local bargaining unit (LBU) at Syosset. She is a member of the Delegate Assembly (DA) and the Professional Nurses Association of Suffolk County. Tahaney also is a delegate to the House of Delegates of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the National Labor Assembly of the United American Nurses (UAN). She is associate editor of The Suffolk Nurse, District 19’s newsletter. In nominating Tahaney, one colleague described her as “consummately concerned for the well-being of her colleagues and the profession of nursing.”

Legislative Award

Anne Bové, MSN, RN, ANP, BC
DA President Anne Bové is a clinical instructor at the Bellevue Hospital Center and a member of District 13 in New York City. She is president of the LBU at Bellevue, a member of NYSNA’s Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) Executive Council, and sits on the Community Advisory Board for Bellevue. Bové sits on the NYSNA Council on Legislation and is a delegate to the National Labor Assembly (NLA) and the ANA House of Delegates. One colleague wrote: “Anne is quoted as saying, ‘service is its own reward’ and is often heard repeating the phrase, ‘regardless of the ability to pay.’ Anyone who comes to know her quickly realizes she is sincere in these sentiments.” Another had this to say: “I wish I had one tenth of her energy and commitment.”

Membership Award

Fay Randall, MSN, MCN, RN, BC
Fay Randall is a head nurse at the Metropolitan Hospital Center in New York City. A member of the New York Counties Registered Nurses Association, District 13, she has been involved in the Association of Labor Union Women, the National Black Nurses Association, and the UAN. She is secretary of her LBU. In 2003, NYSNA honored Randall for her contributions as a Legislative District Coordinator. “As a spokesperson for nursing, Fay Randall has stood up for the members of NYSNA on several occasions and has been interviewed by the press about layoffs, staffing issues, contract issues, and safety issues as they relate to the membership,” wrote a colleague.

Nursing Education Award

Jeanne Tuel Grace, PhD, RN, WHNP
Jeanne Tuel Grace, a NYSNA member since 1989, is professor of clinical nursing at the University of Rochester School of Nursing. She is a member of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), the Eastern Nursing Research Society, and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health. One nominator wrote, “Dr. Grace’s revolutionary paradigm shift for nursing education regarding research is being shared throughout the country… It is likely to become the standard for nursing education.”

Georgia “Nicki” Millor, DNS, RN
Nicki Millor, associate professor at Nazareth College also will receive the Nursing Education Award. Millor has served on the editorial board for the Journal of the New York State Nurses Association and also on the NYSNA councils on ethical practice, human rights, and nursing research. “Millor is at her stellar best when she challenges students to meet their intellectual potential, not allowing them to be complacent or to ‘get by,’” wrote a colleague. “Dr. Millor encourages students to submit course papers for national publication, assisting them to meet publication requirements. These activities are often done quietly, without fanfare, and known only to other faculty when the publication is in print and shared.”

Nursing Practice Award

Barbara Crane, RN
Barbara Crane, a NYSNA member for 30 years, is the assistant nursing care coordinator in the ICU at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown. She is a member of District 19’s nominating committee and the NYSNA Political Action Committee (PAC). Crane is a delegate to the DA and was recently elected a staff nurse member-at-large to the ANA Board of Directors. She was president of the LBU at St. Catherine of Siena for 10 years, and served on the NYSNA Board of Directors and as chair of the DA. One colleague wrote that Crane “is tireless in her endeavor to improve her knowledge and skills.” Recently, she spent several weeks as a volunteer with a mission group in Honduras, providing care to underserved communities.

SPAN Award

Howard Doughty, RN
Howard Doughty is a staff RN in the operating room at Nyack Hospital. A NYSNA member since 1984, he served on the NYSNA Board of Directors and is a member of the finance committee. Doughty is a delegate to the ANA and UAN and chair of the LBU at Nyack Hospital. As a SPAN volunteer, Doughty is an advocate and a support group facilitator. “Howard is a gentleman in the literal sense — a gentle man, and it’s that quality which defines the special relationship between the advocate and the nurse who is suffering from addiction,” wrote a colleague. “Beneath his mild-mannered exterior beats the heart of a supernurse,” wrote another. “Howard exemplifies a model advocate for his local bargaining unit, his community, NYSNA, and the American Nurses Association.

Nursing Student Leadership Award

Christine Ecklund
Christine Ecklund, a 2006 graduate of the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Brockport, was president of the Student Nurses Organization at her school. During her presidency, the group actively participated in the Breast Cancer Walk, a Halloween Party for children at Strong Medical Center, the Hillside Toy Drive, and the March of Dimes Walk. “Christy exemplifies leadership in nursing,” wrote a nominator.