SGNA Scholarships & Awards
SGNA offers scholarships and awards to support gastroenterology and endoscopy professionals in advancing their education, strengthening their practice and celebrating excellence in the specialty.
Unless otherwise noted, applicants and nominees must be current SGNA members in good standing to be eligible.
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Scholarships
SGNA Empowering GI Professional Diversity Scholarship - Applications Now Open!
Applications are now open! Apply by Wednesday, June 17.
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SGNA is excited to introduce The Empowering Diversity in the GI Profession Scholarship, a new scholarship program intended to increase diversity and inclusion within the GI profession. This scholarship provides financial support to SGNA members from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations and/or those who have been impacted by disability.
SGNA members who are currently working in the gastroenterology specialty will receive financial support to assist with their continued education and advancement.
The scholarship program, which is supported by Boston Scientific Corporation, is focused on increasing diversity and inclusion within the GI profession. Funds can be used to cover tuition or registration costs, study materials, textbooks or other expenses related to education.
SGNA RN Advancing Education Scholarship - Applications Now Open!
Applications are now open! Apply by Wednesday, June 17.
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The SGNA RN Advancing Education Scholarship has been established to financially assist SGNA members pursuing their nursing education.
Scholarship funds of $2,000 for a full-time student or $1,000 for a part-time student taking a minimum of three credit hours per semester will be awarded to selected recipients.
This is a one-time, non-renewable scholarship. Grants will be awarded each spring to those members who meet the established criteria. The number and amount of grants awarded will depend upon available funding.
SGNA Annual Course Scholarship
Applications are closed.
SGNA Annual Course Scholarships have been established to financially assist SGNA members with attendance at the SGNA Annual Course. Grants will be awarded each spring to those members who meet the established criteria. The number and amount of grants awarded will depend upon funds available.
The 53rd Annual Course will be May 17–19, 2026, in Atlanta, GA.
SGNA First-Time Attendee Scholarship
Applications are closed.
The SGNA First-Time Attendee Scholarship has been established to financially assist newer SGNA members with less than two years of membership with attendance at their first SGNA Annual Course.
This scholarship is designed for professionals who are new to the GI/endoscopy field and provides an opportunity to experience the Annual Course and all it has to offer.
Grants will be awarded each spring to those members who meet the established criteria. The number and amount of grants awarded will depend upon funds available.
The 53rd Annual Course will be May 17–19, 2026, in Atlanta, GA.
SGNA Reprocessing Training Scholarship
Applications are closed.
We’re excited to offer a scholarship opportunity for the SGNA Endoscope Reprocessing Training Course, providing financial support to help cover course registration and materials for selected qualified applicants.
This is a one-time, non-renewable scholarship.
The SGNA Endoscope Reprocessing Training Scholarship is supported by: Wassenburg Medical
Awards & Recognition
Distinguished Service Award
Applications are closed.
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 a 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 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 an SGNA national committee, completed tasks, met deadlines and actively participated in committee work.
2026 Awardee
Catherine Gabster, MSN RN NP CNL CNS
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Catherine Gabster is a longtime gastroenterology and endoscopy nursing leader whose dedication to education, mentorship and professional excellence helped shape SGNA for nearly a decade. She joined the SGNA Education Committee in 2015 and went on to serve as Co Chair, helping guide national educational initiatives, resources and programming that supported nurses across the country.
Catherine spent the later part of her nursing career at UCLA Health, where she championed high quality patient care, supported the growth of new nurses and helped advance practice standards in GI nursing and a homegrown endoscope tracking application. She “graduated” into retirement in 2024, both from UCLA Health and from her years of service on the SGNA Education Committee, but remains deeply proud of and connected to the profession.
Known for her thoughtful leadership, steady humor and generous mentorship, Catherine embodies the spirit of gastroenterology nursing. SGNA is delighted to honor her with the 2026 Distinguished Service Award.
Gabriele Schindler Clinical Excellence Award
Applications are closed.
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 five years.
2026 Awardee
Eileen Dauz, BSN RN CNML CGRN CFER CER
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Eileen Dauz, BSN RN CNML CGRN CFER CER, is a nationally respected gastroenterology nurse leader whose career spans more than three decades of clinical practice, leadership and advocacy.
She currently serves as Clinical Nurse Manager for the Endoscopy and Pain Management units at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, where she leads multidisciplinary teams in delivering safe, high quality, patient centered care.
Throughout her career, Eileen has remained deeply committed to mentoring emerging nurse leaders and supporting professional growth within the GI nursing community.
A cancer survivor, Eileen describes her successful treatment as a defining turning point that renewed her sense of purpose and deepened her gratitude for the privilege of serving others.
Through leadership, resilience and service to patients and communities around the world, Eileen’s career embodies the very heart of nursing.
Outstanding Regional Society Award
2026 Outstanding Regional Society Recipient: Minnesota SGNA
The 2026 Outstanding Regional Society is Minnesota SGNA for their many contributions to their local members, national SGNA and 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.
Excellence in Clinical Practice Award
2025 Excellence in Clinical Practice Recipient:
Frances R. Roe, MSN RN CNOR
How to NAPS: A Discussion of the Safety and Implementation of a Nurse Administered Propofol Sedation (NAPS) Program. Gastroenterology Nursing, 47(6):467-475.
Sponsored by: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins - WKH
Novice Writer's Award
2025 Novice Writers Award Recipient:
Andrea Minciullo, RN MSN PhD Candidate
Nurse-Administered Propofol Sedation Training Curricula and Propofol Administration in Digestive Endoscopy Procedures: A Scoping Review of the Literature. Gastroenterology Nursing, 47(1):33-40
Sponsored by: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins - WKH