School of Nursing Alumni Awards
Read descriptions of each of award and see a list of past winners.
2027 Alumni Award nominations are now open!
Do you know an OHSU School of Nursing alum who deserves to be celebrated?
Help shine a light on their impact — nominate them for a 2027 Alumni Award.
Nominations are due September 30, 2026.
Distinguished Alumni Award
This award honors alumni whose contributions and mentorship have significantly advanced the nursing profession. Recipients of this award reflect the highest ideals of the OHSU School of Nursing through achievement in nursing practice, education or research.
2026 | Jane McEldowney, B.S. ’63, RN, NCSN-E
2025 | Deborah Carter, RN, B.S. ’77
2025 | Sarah Wickenhagen, RN, M.S. ’05, D.N.P. ’13
2023 | Amy Corcoran, B.S.N. ’05
2022 | Lydia Bartholow, B.S.N. ’10, M.N. ’12, D.N.P. ’16, PMHNP, CARN-NP
2020 | Nicole Bennett, D.N.P., M.N. ’09
2019 | Helen Turner, D.N.P. ’09
2018 | John T. Mallos, B.S.N. ’98, M.S.N.
2017 | Donalda Dodson, B.S.N. ’64, MPH
2016 | Janis C. Hootman, B.S.N. ’66, Ph.D.
2015 | Daniel J. Sheridan, M.S., Ph.D. ’98
2014 | Teri Moser Woo, B.S.N. ’84, M.S.N. ’89, M.N. ’93, Ph.D.
2006 | Donna Jensen, B.S.N. ’56, M.S. ’68, Ph.D.
2005 | Paula Gubrud-Howe, M.S. ’93, Ed.D.
2004 | Joanne Rader, M.S.N. ’79
2003 | Margene Tower, B.S.N. ’61, M.S.
2002 | Megan Hornby, M.S. ’90
2001 | Margaret Wainwright Henbest, B.S.N. ’76, M.N.
2001 | Barbara Strunk, B.S.N. ’83, M.N. ’95
2000 | Sue Bradley Davidson, B.S.N. ’62, Ph.D.
2000 | Bonnie Crawford Driggers, B.S.N. ’75, M.S. ’86
1999 | Marie Grimm Duncan, M.N. ’64, Ph.D.
1999 | Donna Sewell Clark, B.S.N. ’71, M.S. ’81
1998 | Linda John Sharp, B.S.N. ’63
1998 | Catherine Burns, M.S. ’78, Ph.D.
1997 | Judith Tuerck, M.S. ’86
1997 | Barbara Ream Rynerson, B.S.N. ’58, M.S. ’62
1997 | Anne Rosenfeld, Ph.D. ’94
1996 | Susan L. Woods, Ph.D. ’91
1996 | Barbara May, Ph.D. ’90
1995 | Una Beth Westfall, B.S.N. ’65, Ph.D.
1995 | Carol Gohrke Blainey, B.S.N. ’62
1994 | Sylvia McSkimming, B.S.N. ’65, M.N. ’79
1994 | Marsha Blum Hei, M.S., B.S.N. ’69, Ed.D., Ph.D.
1993 | Sarah Porter, Ph.D., B.S.N. ’63
1993 | Joyce Colling, Ph.D., FAAN, B.S.N. ’62, M.S. ’64
1992 | Nancy Penepacker Pinnock, B.S.N. ’59
1992 | Jean Delk Bates, B.S.N. ’59
1991 | Mona Rankin Wood, B.S.N. ’49, M.S. ’52
1990 | Judy Colligan, M.N. ’84
1988 | Sheryl Thalman Boyd, B.S.N. ’71, Ph.D.
1987 | Bernice Jones, B.S.N. ’67
Early Career Achievement Award
Recognizes outstanding achievements within five years of graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the OHSU School of Nursing. Recipients of this award demonstrate excellence in patient care, education or research.
2021 | Ashley Billingsley, B.S. ’19
2019 | Sana Goldberg, B.S. ’16
2018 | Rachael Postman, B.S. ’07, M.N. ’13, D.N.P. ’14
2016 | Ellen L. Tilden, Ph.D. ’15
2015 | Laura R. Jenson, M.S. ’08, M.P.H. ’10
Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award
Established in 2023, this award recognizes nursing excellence in a clinical setting. Honorees demonstrate exceptional clinical expertise, innovation, professional growth and leadership.
2025 | Kristi Runberg, RN, B.S., B.S.N. ’12, M.S.N., PCCN
2024 | Lisa Radcliff, M.S.N. ’07, D.N.P. ’12, FNP, AOCNP
Health for All Award
Established in 2023, this award honors individual nurses or nurse-led teams whose work advances health equity. Efforts may include:
- Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in a healthcare or academic setting
- Addressing health disparities in marginalized communities
- Social justice policy change or advocacy
Individual nominees must be alumni of the OHSU School of Nursing. Nursing teams nominated for this award must be led by one or more OHSU School of Nursing alumni.
Rural Health Excellence Award
Established in 2023, this award recognizes alumni whose contributions improve patient care, health or education in rural or frontier communities. Recipients demonstrate commitment to rural health through evidence-based practice and clinical excellence.
2026 | Margo Lalich, M.P.H. ’02, B.A., RN, CPDM
2025 | Amber La, RN, B.S. ’13
2024 | Robin Claudson, B.S.N. ’88, M.S.N.
