2020 Member Awards & Achievements

2020 NCSBN Annual Meeting


The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), met virtually Aug. 12, 2020, to consider pertinent association business with its members. There were 60 member nursing regulatory bodies (MNRBs) represented by delegates.

Highlights of some of the significant actions approved by the MNRBs:

  • Approved proposed APRN Compact Language changes

Elections to the Board of Directors:

  • President-elect, Jay Douglas, MSM, RN, CSAC, FRE, executive director, Virginia Board of Nursing
  • Director-at-Large, Anne Coghlan, MScN, RN, executive director and CEO, College of Nurses of Ontario
  • Director-at-Large, Amy Fitzhugh, JD, chief legal officer, North Carolina Board of Nursing
  • Director-at-Large, Cathy Borris-Hale, MHA, RN, nurse specialist II, District of Columbia Board of Nursing
  • Director-at-Large, Mark Majek, MA, PHR, SHRM-CP, director of Operations, Texas Board of Nursing

NCSBN delegates also elected members of the Leadership Succession Committee (LSC):

  • Tammy Buchholz, MSN, RN, CNE, FRE, associate director for Education, North Dakota Board of Nursing
  • Jennifer Laurent, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, board member, Vermont Board of Nursing

Congratulations to our 2020 Award Recipients

NCSBN recognized its dedicated and exceptional membership.

R. Louise McManus Award

The R. Louise McManus Award is the most prestigious award. Individuals nominated for this award shall have made sustained and significant contributions through the highest commitment and dedication to the mission and vision of NCSBN.

2020 R. Louise McManus Award Recipient:

Lori Scheidt, MBA-HCM

Executive Director, Missouri State Board of Nursing

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Founders Award

This prestigious award is given only upon occasion that an individual with ethics, integrity and sincerity has demonstrated the highest regard for the ideals and beliefs upon which NCSBN was founded.

2020 Founders Award Recipient:

Elizabeth Lund, MSN, RN

Former Executive Director, Tennessee Board of Nursing

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2020 Founders Award Recipient:

Carmen A. Catizone, MS, DPh, RPh

Former Executive Director/Secretary, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy

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Meritorious Service Award

The Meritorious Service Award is granted to a member for significant contributions to the mission and vision of NCSBN.

2020 Meritorious Service Award Recipient:

Adrian Guerrero, CPM

Kansas State Board of Nursing

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Elaine Ellibee Award

The Elaine Ellibee Award is granted to a member who has served as a board president within the past two years and who has made significant contributions to NCSBN.

2020 Elaine Ellibee Award Recipient:

Patricia Sharpnack, DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, ANEF, FAAN

Board Member (Past President), Ohio Board of Nursing

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Exceptional Contribution Award

The Exceptional Contribution Award is granted for significant contribution by a member who is not a president or executive officer and has demonstrated support of NCSBN’s mission.

2020 Exceptional Contribution Award Recipient:

Mary A. Baroni, PhD, RN

Board Member, Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission

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Distinguished Achievement Award

The Distinguished Achievement Award is given to individuals whose contributions or accomplishments have impacted NCSBN’s mission and vision.

2020 Distinguished Achievement Award Recipient:

David Swankin, Esq.

President and CEO of the Citizen Advocacy Center (CAC)

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Regulatory Achievement Award

The Regulatory Achievement Award recognizes the member board or associate member that has made an identifiable, significant contribution to the mission and vision of NCSBN in promoting public policy related to the safe and effective practice of nursing in the interest of public welfare.

2020 Regulatory Achievement Award Recipient:

The North Carolina Board of Nursing

N/A

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Executive Officer Recognition Awards

The award is given in five-year increments to individuals serving in the Executive Officer role. No nomination is necessary for the Executive Officer Recognition Award as it is presented to Executive Officers based on his or her years of service in five-year increments.

Five Years of Service (left to right, top to bottom):

Peggy Benson, MSN, MSHA, NE-BC

Executive Officer, Alabama Board of Nursing

Margaret Clifton, MS, RN-BC, CLNC

State Director, Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education

Kim Esquibel, PhD, MSN, MPA, RN

Executive Director, Maine State Board of Nursing

Laurie Janes, MSc, RN

Executive Director, Nurses Association of New Brunswick

Carole Mercier, MSc, RN, ASC (not pictured)

Former Secretary General, Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec

Phyllis Mitchell, MSN, RN

Executive Director, Vermont State Board of Nursing

Stacey Pfenning, DNP, APRN, FNP, FAANP

Executive Director, North Dakota Board of Nursing

Margaret Sesepasara, MS, RN (not pictured)

Executive Secretary, American Samoa Health Services Regulatory Board

Lorena Silva, MSN-L, MBA, DNP, RN

Executive Director, Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing

Sue Smith, MAOL, RN

CEO & Registrar, Nova Scotia College of Nursing

Katherine Stansfield, MN, RN

CEO & Registrar, College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba

10 Years of Service (left to right, top to bottom):

Joe Baker, Jr.

Executive Director, Florida Board of Nursing

Jim Cleghorn, MA

Former Executive Director, Georgia Board of Nursing

Sue Tedford, MNSc, APRN

Executive Director, Arkansas State Board of Nursing

Lee Ann N. Teshima

Executive Officer, Hawaii Board of Nursing

15 Years of Service (left to right, top to bottom):

Betsy Houchen, JD, MS, RN

Executive Director, Ohio Board of Nursing

25 Years of Service (left to right, top to bottom):

Joey Ridenour, MN, RN, FAAN

Executive Director, Arizona State Board of Nursing

Kathy Thomas, MN, RN, FAAN

Executive Director, Texas Board of Nursing

35 Years of Service (left to right, top to bottom):

Elizabeth Lund, MSN, RN

Former Executive Director, Tennessee Board of Nursing