Caldwell University Nurse Receives March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award

The March of Dimes New Jersey chapter is pleased to announce that Closter resident Theodora Sirota from Caldwell University in Caldwell received the 2014 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award in the Behavioral Health category.

Through Nurse of the Year Awards, the March of Dimes recognizes nurses who demonstrate exceptional patient care, compassion, and service. Whether serving as a health care provider, educator, researcher, or chapter volunteer/advisor, these nurses have played a critical role in improving the health of New Jersey’s mothers and babies. Nurse of the Year Awards celebrate the nursing profession and creates awareness of the recent strides made in this growing field.

Theodora Sirota PhD, RN, CNL, PMHCNS-BC is an associate professor of nursing at Caldwell University. An advanced practice psychiatric nurse, she teaches courses related to psychiatric- mental health nursing and nursing research and teaches clinically in hospital and community health settings. Theodora is a RAMP peer group facilitator for the Institute of Nursing, NJSNA and a member of the national curriculum committee for the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. She served as chair of Seton Hall College of Nursing Faculty Assembly, and is currently president of her nursing school Alumnae Association. She is certified as a psychotherapist and psychoanalyst and conducts a private practice in psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral psychotherapies in New York City.

“We could not do the work of the March of Dimes without the passion and commitment of our nurses. This is our opportunity to show them how special they truly are,” said Allie Hall, Central Division Executive Director, New Jersey Chapter of the March of Dimes.

Nurse of the Year Awards are given annually in approximately 19 award categories. More than 5,000 nurses were nominated nationwide, including 240 in our area. New Jersey award recipients were announced at a special awards gala held on November 19, 2014 at Pines Manor in Edison, which had a record attendance of almost 400 people. At the event there were 139 finalists which represented 40 hospitals and healthcare facilities.