Nightingale Nursing Award Winners Announced

Winners have been announced for the 13th Annual Florence Nightingale Awards, sponsored by the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing, to be presented April 20 at the Hyatt Regency, Cincinnati.

One of the biggest events in the country honoring nurses who have “made a difference,” the award ceremony last year attracted nearly 1,000 participants.

Winners of the $1,000 Board of Advisors’ Award are Barbara Demasi, Cincinnati Health Department, sponsored by Omnicare Inc.; Judy Dothage, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, sponsored by Patheon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Michelle McKeever, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, sponsored by Mercy Health Partners; Rita Hart, Princeton High School, sponsored by TriHealth, Inc.; Rita Porter, Frederick Douglass School, sponsored by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; and Charlene Rasche, Cincinnati Rheumatic Disease Study Group, sponsored by the Health Alliance Inc.

Winners of the $400 Catholic Health Partners Dean’s Award are Adele Corbin, University Hospital; Teresa Anne Cabanas, Mercy Franciscan Terrace; Carol Fairchild, Hillenbrand Nursing and Rehabilitation; Kathy Frede, Cincinnati Health Department; Jeanie Helton, CCHMC; Tonia Mastropaolo, Christ Hospital; Patty Norton, CHD—Help Me Grow Part C Program; Sherry Varney, Jewish Hospital; Lynn Seibert, Eldermount Adult Day Care; and Kathy Wilfong, St. Luke Hospitals

“Nursing is a proud and honored profession and nurses give their all in providing the care and health promotion that everyone needs,” says Andrea Lindell, DNSc, dean of UC College of Nursing. “It’s truly an honor to be nominated, and always difficult to choose those few nurses for individual recognition from among the meritorious nominees.

“We’re extremely pleased and proud of those selected to receive the Florence Nightingale Award and the Dean’s Award. They truly represent the highest caliber of caregivers and reflect the achievements of many, many nurses. We’re grateful to and proud of each honored nurse because they truly reflect the virtues of Florence Nightingale.”

This year’s awards ceremony will also honor Omnicare, which has supported the Nightingale Awards since 1995, for being a consistent sponsor.

The awards dinner is sponsored by Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc.

Related Stories

2

UC, NKU renew longstanding partnership supporting Army ROTC cadets

August 26, 2026

The University of Cincinnati Army ROTC and Northern Kentucky University (NKU) have renewed a longstanding partnership that supports students preparing to become Army officers and leaders in their communities. The universities formalized the renewed agreement during a signing event Aug. 11 at NKU.

3

Funding expands UC research into weight gain side effects of bipolar medication

August 26, 2026

University of Cincinnati researchers have been approved for funding by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to expand the implementation of healthy lifestyle interventions and metformin prescription to help manage weight gain in overweight or obese youth taking second-generation antipsychotic medications.