The SGNA Annual Course Distinguished Service Award acknowledges an SGNA member who has demonstrated service and leadership to the organization.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a current member of SGNA and have been a member for at least five years.
- Actively participates in regional and national activities.
- Is currently or has previously been employed in gastroenterology/endoscopy, full or part-time, in supervisory, teaching, clinical or administrative capacity.
- Is currently serving or has served on an SGNA national committee.
- Must consent to SGNA publishing name and title, if selected for the award, in our membership communication materials.
Performance Criteria
The candidate has made important contributions in any or all of the following areas:
- Demonstrates continued service and leadership to the Society at both the national and regional levels.
- Contributes to the growth of SGNA.
- Contributes to the educational programs and publications of the Society.
- Actively promotes the Society and the specialty through significant contributions in the areas of public service, legislation and other community involvement.
- Supports certification in the specialty.
- During service on SGNA national committee, completed tasks, met deadlines and actively participated in committee work.
2025 Nomination Deadline
Submit a Nomination
2025 Awardee
Bonnie Streeter, MSN RN CGRN
Bonnie Streeter, MSN, RN, CGRN has been a GI nurse and member of the Society for Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates for over thirty years. During her membership with SGNA she has been involved in many activities including, President of ABCGN, Chair of the Program Committee, SGNA Scholar, Mentor, Infection Prevention Champion, member of the Nominations and Elections Committee, and Past President and Board Member of Greater Carolina SGNA.
She has also authorized multiple articles for the Nursing Journal for which she received a new Writers Award in 1999. Bonnie has also presented multiple times at Regional and National Conferences.
Bonnie has dedicated her career to mentorship and education of GI nurses and Associates.
Congratulations, Bonnie!
2023 – Jean Stoa BSN, RN
2020 – Cathleen Shellnutt, DNP APRN AGCNS-BC CGRN
2019 – Conrad C. Worrell, RN CGRN CSN
2018 – Christine (Chris) Sarisley, MS APRN ACNS-BC CGRN
2017 – James (Jim) Collins, BS RN CNOR
2016 – Lisa Heard, MSN RN CGRN
2015 – Leslie E. Stewart, BA RN CGRN
2014 – Peggy Gauthier, MS BSN RN CGRN
2013 – Marilyn Schaffner, PhD RN NEA-BC CGRN
2012 – Theresa Vos, MS BSN RN CGRN
2011 – Susan Nuccio, RN MSN APRN BC CGRN
2010 – Norah Connelly, RN CGRN
2009 – MaryAnne Malone, RN CGRN
2008 –Nancy R. DeNiro, RN CGRN
2007 – Kathy A. Baker, PhD RN ACNS-BC CGRN
2006 – Jeanine Penberthy, MSN RN CGRN
2005 –Karen Laing, MA RN CGRN
2004 – Ann Hayes, BSN RN CGRN
2003 – Nancy Schlossberg, BA BSN RN CGRN
2002 –Nancy Shoop, BSN RN CGRN
2001 –Marcia Gruber, MSN RN CGRN
1999 – Helen P. Rosenthal, RN
1998 –Agnes Gaber, MSN RN ANP
1997 – Patricia Holland, BSN RN CGRN
1996 –Doris Barnie, MSN RN CGRN
1995 – Jean Ann Kidwell, MSN CGRN
1994 –Lorna Andrews, RN CGRN
1993 – Nancy Evans, BSN RN
1992 – Patricia Pethigal, BSN CGRN
This award recognizes the individual who demonstrates excellence in gastroenterology clinical practice and who exemplifies the skill, knowledge and compassion of Gabriele Schindler, an early pioneer of GI patient care. SGNA presents this prestigious award annually to the member who best represents Schindler’s spirit of compassion, commitment, professionalism and caring.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a current member of SGNA and have been for at least 5 years.
2025 Nomination Deadline
Submit a Nomination
2025 Awardee
Alicia Mena, MSN RN CCRN CGRN
Alicia Mena has dedicated over a decade to advancing the field of gastroenterology/endoscopy nursing. She currently serves as a distinguished GI nurse at the GI Endoscopy Unit in Palo Alto, CA, where her contributions have been instrumental in enhancing patient care and operational efficiency.
Alicia’s professional journey is marked by a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. Alicia holds a graduate degree in nursing education and is certified as a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN). She further enhanced her professional skill set by completing a green belt certification in process improvement.
Her work with the VA National GI Nursing Subcommittee is distinguished by her leadership in multiple process improvement projects. Notably, Alicia’s efforts have not only ensured the safe continuation of patient endoscopy amidst major endoscope and HVAC malfunctions but also earned her the title of Employee of the Year at the Palo Alto VA Health Care System. A trailblazer in innovative patient education for the Palo Alto VA Health Care System and VISN 21, Alicia spearheaded the introduction of a large inflatable colon for colorectal awareness education. This initiative has reached hundreds of Veterans from California to Hawaii, with plans to educate Veterans in Nevada later this summer, reflecting her commitment to patient advocacy and community outreach.
As an author, Alicia has contributed valuable insights to the field, including her recent publication: “Impact of the Magnesium Citrate Recall on Gastroenterology Nursing Procedural Process: Putting the ‘Prep’ in Preparation,” featured in the Gastroenterol Nursing Journal. Her scholarly work underscores her expertise and commitment to advancing GI nursing practices.
Alicia’s leadership extends to mentoring nurse managers within her facility and across her VISN. She has empowered her staff to develop and present four poster presentations accepted by SGNA for the annual conference. Moreover, she has been instrumental in the national implementation of the Provation software system, leading her unit to become a pilot site for automating patient procedure orders from the electronic health record to Provation MD. This pilot was successful and is now being used across the country.
A respected educator and speaker, Alicia has delivered presentations at SGNA national conferences, including topics such as “Leading Through Times of Staffing Challenges” and the WRITE project, culminating in a published article. Her contributions have consistently earned her unit recognition as one of the best places to work within the Palo Alto Health Care System, and her unit consistently achieves some of the highest patient satisfaction scores in VA healthcare.
Alicia’s passion lies in choosing to do what is right, even when it is hard—a principle that has guided her esteemed career. She remains dedicated to advancing the field of gastroenterology nursing, mentoring future leaders, and enhancing patient care through innovation and education.
Congratulations, Alicia!
Outstanding Regional Society Award
2024 Outstanding Regional Society Recipient: Region #42 -- Greater North Carolina
The 2024 Outstanding Regional Society is Region 42 – Greater North Carolina – for their many contributions to their local members, national SGNA and their local communities. . We thank you all for your commitment to the safe and effective practice of GI and endoscopy nursing.
Sponsored by: Erbe USA, Inc.
2024 Excellence in Clinical Practice Recipient:
Paul R. McKerrocher, DNP, CRNA
Antihypertensive Teach-Back to Reduce Delays, Cancellations, and Interventions in a Freestanding Gastroenterology Clinic. Gastroenterology Nursing, 46(2):138-143.
Sponsored by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins - WKH
2024 Novice Writers Award Recipient:
Gypsy Glover, DNP, CRNP
Implementing a Combined Phone and Mail Recall to Increase Screening Colonoscopy Rates in Adults With Chronic Ulcerative Colitis. Gastroenterology Nursing, 46(4):275-281..
Sponsored by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins - WKH
2021 - Catherine Bauer, MSN MBA CGRN CFER
2020 - Betty L. McGinty, MS HSA BS RN CGRN
2019 - Rebecca A. Chandler, BSN RN CGRN
2018 - Midolie Loyola, MSN RN CGRN
2017 - Janet Hannah, RN CGRN
2016 - Kimberly Q. Foley, BSN RN CGRN
2015 - Nancy Schlossberg, BA BSN RN CGRN
2014 – Patricia Trolli, BSN RN CGRN
2013 – Michelle Day, MSN RN CGRN
2012 – Barbara Zuccala, MSN RN CGRN
2011 – Jane Harker, MS BSN RN CGRN
2010 – Kimberly Venturella, RN CGRN
2009 – Fay Massullo, RN CGRN
2008 – Patricia Moushey, RN CGRN
2007 – Rosemary Ashby, MSN RN CGRN
2006 – Cathy Bolton, RN CGRN
2005 – Patricia Maher, RN CGRN
2004 – Sherrie Andrew, RN CGRN
2003 – Juliesette Hatulan, BSN BSBA RN CGRN
2002 – Paula Gremillion, BS BSN RN CGRN
2001 – Lindsay Sattler, BA RN CGRN
2000 – Kathleen Maher, BSN RN CGRN
1999 – Margaret M. Lehman, RN CGRN
1998 – Mary E. Young, LPN
1997 – Linda Holmes, BSN RN CGRN
1996 – Walter Cwalina, RN CGRN
1995 – Gail B. DeCosta, RN CGRN
1994 – Norah Connelly, RN CGRN; Marcia Hardick, BSN RN CGRN
1993 – Marilyn Schaffner, PhD RN CGRN
1992 – Marge Beck, RN
1991 – Bettie Jean Howard, RN CGRN
1990 – Margaret Gill, BSN CGRN
1989 – Nancy Shields-Kolb, MSN RN 1988 – Constance Cooper, MS RN 1987 – Loretta Simonsen, RN; Doris Barnie, MSN RN CGRN 1986 – Marna L. Schirmer, RN 1985 – Lynne Gilbert, MS RN CGRN
2020 Excellence in Clinical Practice Recipient: Rachel Wundke, MNsg, RN, Hepatology and Liver Transplant Medicine Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia.
Sponsored by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins - WKH
2020 Novice Writer's Recipient: Christina Manyang, BSN, RN, is Hospital Registered Nurse, Department of Nursing, Division of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Sponsored by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins - WKH
Outstanding Regional Society Award
The 2019 Outstanding Regional Society is: Region #62--Old Dominion.
Sponsored by Erbe USA Inc.
Outstanding Regional Society Award
The 2019 Outstanding Regional Society is: Region #62--Old Dominion.
Sponsored by Erbe USA Inc.