June, 2007

Ralston Center Nursing Award
Honors Local Nursing Students

Evelyn Sheaffer, MSN, CRNP, a student at Villanova University’s College of Nursing, and Kristin Corey, MSN, RN, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, have been named the recipients of Ralston Center’s Award for Gerontology Nursing Excellence for 2007.

As the number of older Americans increases, healthcare professionals have emphasized the need for advances in the care of the elderly.  Ralston Center’s Award for Gerontology Nursing Excellence raises the awareness of the importance of geriatric nursing and encourages interest in the field.  The Award provides financial support for education to two exceptional graduate nursing students, one each at Villanova University and the University of Pennsylvania.

This year’s awardees truly reflect the Award’s purposes.  Ms. Sheaffer is described by Villanova faculty members as a professional who consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to the elderly in her work and studies.  That commitment is reflected in her paper titled “A Study of Hospital Admission from Extended Care Facilities: Common Diagnoses and Protocols for Treatment in the Facility.”  The study focused on examining and improving the care of patients with congestive heart failure and pneumonia in extended care facilities.  Evelyn’s future plans include educating staff in extended care facilities on the findings from her study to promote improved care.

Faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing portray Ms. Corey as a practitioner with both outstanding clinical skills and distinguished academic abilities.  Valerie T. Cotter, MSN, FAANP, Program Director, Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program noted, “She excelled in all her student clinical experiences, especially in her work with frail older adults in the community and in long-term care.  In her approach to both patients and professionals, she shows confidence, engagement, warmth and a depth of understanding and compassion which is extraordinary.”  Kristin is also recognized for her papers and presentations in the field of elder care.  Her goals are improving the care of frail elderly in long-term care and contributing to scholarly nursing research.

In order to be eligible for the Ralston Center Award for Gerontology Nursing Excellence a student must have completed half of the course requirements toward a graduate nursing program in gerontology; must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher; receive a letter of recommendation from either a clinical instructor or an academic advisor; and submit a letter of application indicating interest and experience in gerontology nursing.  Recipients receive a $2,000 cash award, a framed certificate and a permanent listing on the “Gerontology Nursing Excellence” plaque displayed at their university.