March 27, 2006

Ralston Center Board of Managers Announces Award for Gerontology Nursing Excellence

The Ralston Board of Managers has announced a new nursing award in its Awards Program in Geriatrics. Two exceptional graduate nursing students specializing in geriatric nursing will receive the inaugural "Award for Gerontology Nursing Excellence" in May 2006.

The award is available to two students a year, one from the University of Pennsylvania and one from Villanova University, to encourage interest in the field and to raise the profile of the profession. The "Award for Gerontology Nursing Excellence" continues Ralston Center's commitment to quality of life in aging by encouraging and recognizing exceptional care of the elderly by educators and caregivers. Since 2004 Ralston Center has been honoring certified nursing assistants with its Care Giver Award.

The "Award for Gerontology Nursing Excellence" provides a $2,000 award to nurses studying for a graduate degree in geriatrics. To be eligible, students must have completed half the course requirements toward the graduate nursing program in gerontology at the University of Pennsylvania or Villanova University and have a GPA of 3.50 or above. Nursing faculty members and academic advisors at Penn and Villanova will recommend applicants.