For full criteria and application, please click here.
Congratulations to the 2020 Flame Award Recipients:
University of Virginia
The Flame Award for Unit Excellence recognizes GI/Endoscopy Units who have shown a commitment to infection prevention, a supportive and educational work environment and positive patient outcomes. This award provides a roadmap for what is considered an exceptional work environment in a GI/Endoscopy nursing unit. Recipients of the Flame Award will be sent a framed document for display, recognition in SGNA's email newsletter, and mention at the SGNA Annual Course.
Generously supported by:

For full criteria and an application, click here.
2020 Outstanding Regional Society Recipient: Region #29--Michigan Region
Sponsored by: Erbe USA, Inc.

2021 Applications now closed
2020 Regional Society Member Recipient: Annett Schmit BSN RN CGRN
For full criteria and an application, click here.
For full criteria and a nomination form click here.
Our 2020 Distinguished Service Award Winner is Cathleen Shellnutt, DNP APRN AGCNS-BC CGRN
Cathleen Shellnutt, DNP APRN AGCNS-BC CGRN, was recently named the 2020 SGNA Annual Course Distinguished Service Award winner. SGNA spoke with Shellnutt about her career path in gastroenterology, getting involved with SGNA on both the regional and national levels, and what this award means to her.
This award acknowledges an SGNA member who has demonstrated service and leadership to the organization. Why do you believe it’s important to give back in this way?
It is important to be involved as a member of SGNA to have an impact on the practice of nursing related to gastroenterology (GI). I started my active participation with SGNA at the regional level and quickly learned the value of networking with other GI nurses and associates in my region. I have also benefitted from the resources provided by SGNA to improve the practices of the facilities I have worked in. It is important to give back in this way to advance your knowledge and network.
Sponsored by Diversatek Healthcare

View Past Distinguished Service Award Winners
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
For full criteria and a nomination form click here.
Our 2020 Gabriele Schindler Clinical Excellence Award Winner is Betty McGinty, RN MSHSA CGRN CER
Betty McGinty, RN MSHSA CGRN CER, was named the 2020 SGNA Gabrielle Schindler Award for Clinical Excellence Winner. SGNA recently spoke with McGinty to learn about her professional journey, the values and best practices that exemplify clinical excellence and what this award means to her.
This award recognizes an SGNA member who demonstrates excellence in gastroenterology clinical practice. Thinking back on your professional journey, what got you to where you are today?
My professional journey in GI began early in my career, when I left the intensive care unit to work for a gastroenterologist, Dr. Napier Burson, Jr. He taught me so much about anatomy and physiology, as well as disease processes of the gastrointestinal system. He trained me thoroughly in conducting a GI assessment and successfully piqued my interest in making the specialty “mine.”
My adventure moved into the world of GI endoscopy. I accepted an opportunity to open and manage an endoscopy unit in a small, physician-owned hospital in downtown Atlanta. At this location, I worked with and learned from two key physicians: Dr. Carter Davis and Dr. Steve Morris. My role involved unit leadership as well as hands-on procedural assistance. I prepped, sedated, monitored and recovered the patient. I also assisted the physician in the tech role, and finally, I reprocessed the scope for the next patient. I became, what I have referenced in years to follow, a “real GI nurse.”
My travels landed me in a larger hospital facility where I was allowed to grow professionally over time, gaining the title of director and acquiring additional areas of responsibility, while maintaining the primary GI specialty focus. I knew I needed a professional organization connection to guide my practice and became an SGNA member in 1987.
View Past Gabriele Schindler Award Winners
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: Susan P. Wittren, MSN, RN
Sponsored by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins - WKH
2020 Novice Writer's Recipient: Deborah Jo Kummer & Bonnie J. Walden
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.