The University of Florida College of Nursing received the highest number of awards out of any state institution at the 2023 Florida Nurses Association Membership Assembly, with the awards program being held on Sept. 21.
Lakeshia Cousin was selected as the assembly’s keynote speaker and delivered an outstanding address about a comittment to quality. Four of our faculty were also honored for excellence in professional nursing:
- Debra Lynch Kelly received the Nursing Research Icon Award. This award recognizes a nurse who has produced research of scientific merit with relevance to the practice of nursing
- Denise Schentrup received the Advanced Practice Nursing Icon Award. This award recognizes an advanced practice nurse who exemplifies excellence in performing the advanced practice role.
- Anna McDaniel was welcomed as the newest member of the Florida Nurses Association Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes nurses nurses who have dedicated their career to the nursing profession with enduring impact, integrity and courage.
- Jeanne-Marie Stacciarini was selected as the Mary Cash Award recipient. This award recognizes an individual nurse who has made outstanding contributions to cultural diversity in nursing and health care
About the 2023 FNA Membership Assembly:
Advocacy Amidst Adversity: Commitment to Quality
Nursing has always faced adversity but the past few years have presented new challenges as well as more acute versions of issues we have dealt with for decades. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic can still be felt on multiple aspects of the profession, including continued unsafe staffing, a faculty shortage, workplace violence and nursing salary concerns. Additionally, the recent crisis related to fraudulent Florida nursing schools is a concern for all professional nurses in every aspect of the profession. Our theme was fashioned in the light of these challenges and more. The focus on quality was meant to make the link between factors that impact nurses and the quality of both education and healthcare delivery. As “the most trusted profession” we will address these critical concerns at the 2023 FNA Membership Assembly.