Nurses honored at American Nurses Association House of Delegates

LATHAM, June 22, 2010 - 132 delegates from the New York State Nurses Association attended the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) House of Delegates (HOD) meeting on June 16-20 in Washington, D.C. The HOD meets biennially to set the national agenda for nursing and to elect officials.

Newly elected officers and board members for the ANA include Nurses Association President Karen Ballard, MA, RN, FAAN, who was elected First Vice President of the ANA and Nurses Association member and National Federation of Nurses President Barbara Crane, RN, BC, CCRN, who was elected as one of ANA’s Directors-at-Large.

In addition to new business and elections, the ANA recognized 19 nurses for outstanding contributions the profession. The following NYSNA members were awarded the distinction:

ANA Hall of Fame Award: recognizing a lifelong commitment to nursing and impact on health and/or social history of the U.S.
- Claire M. Fagin, PhD, RN, FAAN, FRCN, Professor and Dean Emeritus, University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing, former president of the university
- Nettie Birnbach, EdD, RN, FAAN, Professor Emeritus, College of Nursing, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn, NY
Distinguished Membership Award: recognizing leadership and participation in ANA
- Mary J. Finnin, MS, RN, Central Islip, NY
Honorary Recognition Award: recognizing distinguished national or international service to the profession
- Claire Murray, MS, RN, New York Organization of Nurse Executives
Staff Nurse Advocacy Award: recognizing outstanding patient advocacy by direct care nurses
- Eileen Dunn, RN, (formerly of) St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center, New York City, NY
Luther Christman Award: recognizing contributions of men in nursing
- Robert Piemonte, EdD, RN, CAE, FAAN, Professor of Nursing, New York University
Honorary Human Rights Award: exemplifying the essence of nursing’s philosophy concerning humanity
- Ani Kalayjian, EdD, RN-BC, BCETS, BCECR, DDI, Fordham University, NY

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 36,000 members, it is the state's largest professional association and largest union for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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