Institute for Nursing Honors Rowan University President for Making a Difference in our Communities

Former Governor Thomas H. Kean Will Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

TRENTON, N.J.-March 22, 2016—Former Governor Thomas H. Kean and television personality Steve Adubato are among the honorees for the Institute for Nursing’s (IFN) “Exceptional People Impacting our Communities” (EPIC) Awards.

Through its annual gala, the Institute calls attention to outstanding achievements of accomplished New Jersey business and community leaders. As the fundraising arm of NJSNA, the Institute funds scholarships for nursing students and nurses advancing their education, provides quality continuing education programs and grants for nurses involved in research.

“The mission of the Institute for Nursing is to preserve the heritage, principles, values and practices of our healing profession through the support of scholarship, education and research,” said Benjamin Evans, DD, DNP, RN, APN, chairman of the Institute for Nursing and President-Elect of NJSNA. “Our goals include raising money to expand our scholarship, education and research programs.”

The gala will take place on April 13, 2016 at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township.

Kean, the former governor of New Jersey (’82-’90), will be honored with a special Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing his dedication to nursing in New Jersey during his tenure as governor. In response to the severe nursing shortage at the time, Kean created a Nursing Advisory Committee to guide the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services to address critical nursing issues. This collaboration produced several major initiatives: the Governor’s Merit Awards, and the Nursing Initiative grants that provided $20 million in competitive grants that led to the greatest number of magnet hospitals of any state in the nation. After leaving public office, Kean was instrumental in establishing the New Jersey Nursing Initiative during his term as chairman of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to further nursing education.

The 2016 honorees include:

Stephen Adubato, Ph.D., Broadcaster, Stand and Deliver, NJ Public Television

Bergen County Sheriff’s Department – Bergen County Jail Nursing Team

Kathleen Boozang, JD, Dean and Professor, Seton Hall University, School of Law

Stephanie Fitzsimmons, RN, APN, Adult Community Manager, Saint Peter’s University Hospital

National Association of Hispanic Nurses – Garden State Chapter

Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D., President, Rowan University

Sister Rosemary E. Jeffries, RSM, Ph.D., Immediate Past President, Georgian Court University

Hon. Thomas H. Kean, Former New Jersey Governor

John Kemakolam, Founder and President, Our Family Circle Foundation Corporation

Carol Kivler, MS, CSP, Founder and President, Courageous Recovery

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, MBA, President and CEO, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Claudia Marchese, JD, Executive Director, Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Commission

Anne M. Prisco, Ph.D., President, Felician University

Kevin Rendino, Chairman, Partners for Health Foundation Board of Trustees

Scott Serbin, Director of Marketing, Recruiting and Clinical Education, EmCare

Shri Krishna Nidhi (SKN) Foundation

Basirah TaHa, DNP, RN, APN, PMHNP-BC, University Behavioral Healthcare Services & Nurse Practitioner at Rutgers University

Gala proceeds support scholarships for nursing students and nurses advancing their education Ticket prices are $150 per person or $1,350 for a table of 10. For more information, contact Tyea Santiago at 609-883-5335 x112 or by email at education@njsna.org or Debra Harwell at 609-883-5335 x119 or by email at deb@njsna.org.

# # #

About NJSNA
NJSNA, which was established in 1901, is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association. The New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA) represents the interests of 125,000 registered nurses and advanced practice nurses as an advocate for the nursing profession. NJSNA’s lobbying arm continues to protect the nursing profession through legislative victories. Its nonprofit foundation, Institute for Nursing, helps nurses further their careers by providing continuing education, scholarships and research grants in addition to invaluable networking opportunities. For more information, nurses can visit www.njsna.org or contact NJSNA at njsna@njsna.org or (609) 883-5335.