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Jean Wyman, Ph.D., right, University of Minnesota School of Nursing professor, presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Virginia Tilden, D.N.Sc., dean of the UNMC College of Nursing. Dr. Wyman is president-elect of the Midwest Nursing Research Society. |
She and three faculty members and a student from the college received awards during the society’s 33rd annual conference in Minneapolis.
“I’m really honored. I was completely floored,” Dr. Tilden said. “I’ve had a flood of lovely e-mails and cards of congratulations and a beautiful flower arrangement. It’s been fun.”
The purpose of the award is to recognize a member who has significantly advanced the profession of nursing either through an extensive program of research, or creation of environments where research can flourish, and whose distinguished career yielded outstanding and noteworthy accomplishments.
“This is the most prestigious award that MNRS can give to one of its own members,” said Jean Wyman, Ph.D., president-elect of the Midwest Nursing Research Society and University of Minnesota School of Nursing professor. “It recognizes Dr. Tilden’s distinguished career in conducting research on end-of-life-care and the quality of care at the end-of-life. She pioneered research in this area, and has been a mentor to many other nurses in launching their research programs in these areas.”
Like Dr. Wyman, Dr. Tilden’s nominators also noted her significant contributions in advancing the science of end-of-life care.
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Dr. Tilden collaborates with UNMC nurse researcher, Sarah Thompson, Ph.D., professor and associate dean for academic programs, as well as researchers at the Oregon Health Sciences University.
Findings from the research have been presented at three Capitol Hill events sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research to highlight research. The work has been cited in a report to Congress as a research initiative that is making a difference in palliative care, and also was the focus of two policy briefs by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as research that influenced policy and practice improvements.
Dr. Tilden’s nominators also said she continues to mentor students and serve on doctoral committees, as well as continuing an active role in shaping health policy in end-of-life care issues. Dr. Tilden said the award caused her to reflect on her research career.
“When I think about my research, I’m so grateful to many people who have been stars on my team to improve end-of-life care,” she said. “I’ve had so many wonderful mentors and co-investigators in my career. None of my work would have been possible without them.
“Also, to be nominated by my faculty means so much to me. It touches me more than anything,” Dr. Tilden said.
Following a reception at the conference, the college held its own reception for the dean, which became not only a celebration, but a recruitment activity. Dr. Tilden asked her faculty to invite faculty and doctoral students from other institutions interested in positions or post-doctoral work.
It worked. A number of individuals expressed interest in positions.
Three nurse faculty, student also take awards
Three of the five Senior Scientist Recognition Awards presented during the conference were awarded to UNMC College of Nursing faculty. Omaha faculty, Ann Berger, Ph.D., Dorothy Hodges Olson Chair in Nursing, and Sarah Thompson, Ph.D., Florence Niedfelt Professor, and Lincoln Division faculty member Lani Zimmerman, Ph.D., professor, received the awards.
“That was amazing. They are really stars,” Dr. Tilden said of the three. “They have longstanding programs of nursing research in their areas and are nationally known for their work. The faculty also attract students who apply to our graduate programs in order to work with the faculty.”
The Senior Scientist Recognition Program provides recognition by peers for members’ scholarly achievements, mentorship and service and represents the highest class of membership. It recognizes outstanding researchers whose accomplishments are noteworthy and vital to building the knowledge base in nursing.
Graduate student Heather Treat Marunda also received an honorable mention in the Outstanding Masters Degree Student Poster Award.
With a membership of 1,200 in a 13-state region, the society is the largest nursing research organization in the United States. It promotes, disseminates and uses nursing research throughout the Midwest, profoundly influencing the enormous growth in quality and quantity of nursing research for more than 20 years.