From left to right, Joanne Costello, Laura DeNoncour, Susan Amalfitano, and Debrorah McKenna.

The Delta Upsilon Chapter Scholarship for a Rhode Island College undergraduate student was awarded to Deborah McKenna.

The Steiner-Brem Family Memorial Award for Excellence in Parent Child Nursing was given to Rhode Island College student Laura DeNoncour.

Susan Amalfitano received the graduate student scholarship.

Rhode Island College faculty member Joanne Costello, received a research grant for her work evaluating the effectiveness of an initiative in which all patients are offered HIV testing upon admission by nurses through a standing order/protocol system at a local hospital.

Francine Brem Awards

(Sara Frazer, Julia Seddon and Lori-Ann Lima)

The Francine Brem Awards  award is presented for excellence in and passion for pediatric research and practice. One student from each of the 3 participating nursing programs is chosen for this award.
The Brem Award to a Rhode Island College student goes to Lori-Ann Lima. She currently a Certified Nursing Intern at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and previously worked as a research assistant at the Bradley/Hasbro Research Center in an HIV prevention study. She co-authored an article on the results of this study. Cultural Factors and Family-Based HIV Prevention Intervention for Latino Youth, in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology in 2009.

Julia Seddon is the awardee from the University of Rhode Island. Julia’s career goal is to practice in pediatric critical care. She has demonstrated excellence in the care of children in the acute care and community settings.

The Salve Regina University recipient of the Brem Award, Sara Frazer, has demonstrated excellence in pediatric practice in her pediatric clinical and has the goal of practicing in a pediatric ER following graduation. In addition, she has participated in a service trip to Belize in which she worked in an orphanage with disadvantaged children.

Undergraduate Scholarships

(J. Costello presents Emily with her scholarship)

 An Undergraduate Scholarship was presented to Emily Cooney, a Rhode Island College student. She was described by her professors as committed to academic excellence and having outstanding critical thinking abilities, clinical judgment, and leadership skills. Emily has worked her way through college as an EMT. Prior to entering the nursing program, she was a project supervisor in Honduras for Save the Children.

(Joelle Gagnon)

A second Undergraduate Scholarship was presented to Joelle Gagnon, a University of Rhode Island student, who is a research assistant at the preterm to adult research study of Women and Infants Hospital. She is committed to service both locally and globally. She volunteered for a trip to the Dominican Republic during intercession, providing nursing care to the population  and volunteers in a soup kitchen in Providence. She serves as the president of the URI Student Nurses’ Association and tutors nursing students for the URI Academic Enhancement Center.

Graduate Scholarships

Joyce Hickey

A Graduate Scholarship was presented to Joyce Hickey, who  is completing her masters in psychiatric/mental health nursing at the University of Rhode Island. She is a graduate research assistant at the Brown Center for Children at Women and Infants Hospital. Her major paper and work on the study is related to the behavioral displays of stress with neuroendocrine measures of social stress reactivity in subjects with and without psychiatric diagnosis. In addition, Joyce is committed to the service of vulnerable populations, providing psychotherapy to individuals at the Women’s Correctional facility with compassion and competence. Her professor describes her as an effective advocate for the women and creative in her approach to care for this extremely complex population.

Ellen Gray

The second graduate scholarship was presented to Eileen Gray, who is enrolled in the Doctorate of Nursing Practice Program at the University of Colorado and is a faculty member at Salve Regina University. She is a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, a certified urologic registered nurse, and has published several peer reviewed articles related to urological nursing.

Chapter Service Award

Kathleen Gremel

The Chapter Service Award was created to honor an individual’s contribution to the functioning of the chapter. The award is presented to a member is an active participant in Chapter activities, supports Delta Upsilon’s endeavors and stimulates Chapter growth. The 2010 recipient is Kathleen Gremel MS, RN. Kathy is a faculty member at RIC and in the doctoral program at URI. President Quigley bestowed the award in appreciation of Kathy’s outstanding work for the chapter over many years.

The Louisa White Award

Dr. Jeannette Matrone Phd, RN

The Louisa White Award was presented to Dr. Jeannette Matrone Phd, RN, who has a long history of service to nursing in Rhode Island. She epitomizes the criteria of the award to demonstrate creativity, promote and support change, actively participate in community and professional activities, promote and utilize nursing research, serve as consumer advocates, and pursue professional development.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Cynthia Padula, PhD, RN

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Cynthia Padula, PhD, RN, who has devoted her career to the care of the elderly through her research, teaching and service. Please see the Featured Member report to learn more about Cindy.