For full criteria and application, please click here.
Congratulations to the 2021 Flame Award Recipients:
University of Virginia Systems
Cooper Digestive Health Institute
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.
2021 Outstanding Regional Society Recipient: Region #9 -- Connecticut Region
This year’s winner is Region 9 – Connecticut – for their many contributions to their local members, national SGNA and their local communities. Congratulations to Barbara Comstock and her enthusiastic group of regional leaders. This year, they secured a proclamation for March Colorectal Cancer Awareness month in the state, offered continuing education hours and scholarships to members, are active at the national level with SGNA and ABCGN in leadership roles, and maintain regular member communications – in spite of the challenges presented by the pandemic. We thank you all for your commitment to the safe and effective practice of GI and endoscopy nursing.
Sponsored by: Erbe USA, Inc.
2021 Regional Society Member Recipient: Jill Bendiske-Minor
For 32 years, Jill has worked as a GI nurse, and has been an SGNA member at the national and regional levels for the past 12 years. Always up to date on the latest publications, she encourages her regional society peers to seek speakers on the current and advancing techniques of practice, has identified new technology tools to help the MnSGNA operate more effectively, and finds creative new ways to help engage participants at the regional conferences.
Jill has served as President, President Elect, Past President and Director at Large for her regional society, has been a nurse manager mentor, and has served on the House of Delegates and attended the national Leadership Conferences. Jill has also completed the Infection Prevention Champions Program and graciously shares her knowledge in all areas with her colleagues.
Congratulations, Jill, and thank you! We appreciate your dedicated service to and passion for SGNA and the GI specialty.
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
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
For full criteria and a nomination form, click here.
Our 2021 Gabriele Schindler Clinical Excellence Award Winner is Catherine Bauer, MSN MBA CGRN CFER
SGNA presents the Gabriele Schindler award annually to the member who best represents Gabriele Schindler’s spirit of compassion, commitment, professionalism and caring.
Cathy has played a major role at both the regional and national levels of SGNA, including SGNA President from 2018 to 2109. She has held many positions in the Eastern North Carolina Regional Society while holding a dual membership with the Old Dominion Region. Cathy has served on a number of SGNA national committees, and has represented SGNA with other professional societies such as ASGE, ACG, CDC, and the FDA – all with the objective of keeping GI patients safe.
As a preceptor, role model and mentor, Cathy has taken many young GI nurses and techs under her wing to show them best way to take care of patients and staff, and to follow the mission of the SGNA organization.
Cathy has given many presentations at both the regional and national level within and outside of SGNA. Because education is so important to Cathy, she encourages anyone and everyone to continually build their knowledge base so that they can better themselves and serve their patients in more positive, and safer way. Cathy leads by example, as a CGRN certified nurse and certified flexible endoscope reprocessor. Congratulations, Cathy!
View Past Gabriele Schindler Award Winners
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.