Distinguished Alumni Awards

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS

CATHERINE MCAULEY AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE


The Catherine McAuley Award for Professional Excellence honors alumni and friends of Mercy College of Health Sciences for their lifetime achievements to their professions, their service to their communities, and their efforts on behalf of Mercy College of Health Sciences.

 

NOMINATE INDIVIDUAL

PAST RECIPIENTS

NOMINATION CRITERIA


ELIGIBILITY

Nominees who are alumni must be graduates of Mercy College and have completed their degree at least five (5) years before their nomination. Nominees who are friends must have held an important historical role in the growth or development of an educational program offered by Mercy College or the College as an institution at least five (5) years before their nomination. Alumni nominees should be persons who have made notable contributions to their profession, their community, and Mercy College of Health Sciences. They should exhibit personal and professional integrity. The award may be given posthumously when appropriate.

NOMINATION PROCESS

Each nomination must include the following items:

  • A completed nomination form or a letter of nomination explaining fully why the nominee deserves this honor focusing on 1) professional accomplishments, 2) community service, and 3) assistance to and involvement with Mercy College. The letter must include the names, addresses and phone numbers of all the persons making the nomination. Nomination of friends should only focus on volunteer efforts towards the College or its academic programs.
  • A formal, biographical sketch (a curriculum vitae, resume or a similar factual statement) about the nominee.

NOMINATE INDIVIDUAL

SELECTION PROCESS

Members of the Alumni Association Advisory Committee will serve as the review committee for the award. The selection committee will retain all nominations for further consideration for two (2) years if necessary to develop further supporting materials on nominees.

AWARD CEREMONY

The Catherine McAuley awards will be presented at the commencement exercises held annually each spring.

THE AWARD

The award is a framed copy of a portrait of Mother Mary Catherine McAuley, Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, by artist Cloy Kent.

If you have questions about the award or the process, please contact the Alumni Department at (515) 643-6609 or alumni@mchs.edu.

NOMINATE INDIVIDUAL

PAST RECIPIENTS


Listed below are the honorees in order of the year they were recognized. Names in parentheses are maiden names.

Year Honoree Photo
2024 Karen Norris, MS, RT(R)
Class of 1978
2023 Tom A. Reitinger, MHA
Friend of Mercy College
Jolene Runkel, MSN, ARNP
Class of 1979
2020 Rhonda S. Heim, RN, BSN, RNC-LRN, RNC-MNN
Class of 1973
2019 Catherine (Spencer) Smith, MSN, ARNP, A/GNP-BC, CWON, CHPN
Class of 1976
2019 Julie Younger, CPA, MBA
Friend of Mercy College
2018 Analissa (Morgan) Kautza, BS, NRP, PM
Class of 2013
2018 Jane DeGooyer, EdD, MSN, RN-BC
Class of 1981
2017 Michael Bohl, RT(R), MHA
Class of 1980
2017 Mary Schemmel, RN, MSN
Class of 1976
2016 Shirley Beaver, PhD, RN, NEA-BC
2015 Barb Bybee, RN
2014 Joanne (Hurd) O’Gara, RN
Class of 1964
2011 Deborah (Richmond) Willyard, RN, MSN
Class of 1979 & 1998
2011 Janice (Sinek) Turcotte RN
Class of 1954
2010 Joan McCleish, RN, PhD
Class of 1980
2009 Rosemary Holland (Anderson), RN, BA
Class of 1956
2009 Mary Carol Cryer (Clark), RN
Class of 1964
2009 Debra Shriver (Schiefelbein), RN, MSN
Class of 1979
2008 Kathy Olmstead (Pottebaum)
RN, BSN, OCN
Class of 1981 & 2003
2008 Helen Roberts, PhD
Friend of Mercy College
2008 Ann Valdez, RN, BSN
Class of 1982
2007 Kathy (Dinsmore) Comito, RN, BA, MHA
Class of 1964
2007 Sister Mary Rocca, CHM, RN, BA
Class of 1975
2006 Barbara (Kent) Allen, RN, BSN, NCSN
Class of 1969
2006 Lynne (Trafford) Kinseth, ARNP, MSN, AOCN
Class of 1983
2006 Elizabeth (Betty) Hammes, RN, BSN
Class of 1951
2006 Joann (Nizzi) Olson, ARNP, CPNP, CNE
Class of 1968
2005 Sandra (Detrick) Caligiuri, RN, MS
Class of 1963
2005 Joan (Crawford) McMartin, RN
Class of 1961
2005 Joanne (Forret) Sassatelli, RN
Class of 1951
2004 Linda (Hitchcock) Carey, RN, CHPN
Class of 1966
2004 JoAnn (Galezzi) Humphreys, RN, MSN
Class of 1968
2004 Patricia (Wright) Jablonski, RN, COHN
Class of 1964
2004 Anne (Lane) Roush, RN, BSN, MSW
Class of 1951
2003 Katherine (Kleber) Aller, RN, EdD
Class of 1970
2003 Judy (Stevenson) Frizzell, RN
Class of 1977
2003 Jean (Kirschbaum) King, RN, MSN
Class of 1965
2003 Suzanne Mains, RN, MS
Class of 1964
2002 Joan Beard, RN, BSN
Class of 1981
2002 Louise Brady, RN
Class of 1943
2002 Barbara (Holland) Paul, RN
Class of 1951
2002 Leona Sweeney, RN
Friend of Mercy College
2001 Jill (Harry) Coghlan, RN
Class of 1976
2001 Joyce Hutchison Carpenter, RN
Class of 1961
2001 Inie Johnson, RN
Class of 1954
2001 Mildred (Farr) Walker, RN
Class of 1934
2000 Mary Ann (Waterhouse) Adams, RN
Class of 1975
2000 Ronald F. Caulk, CRNA
Class of 1959
2000 Marilyn Russell, RN
Class of 1952
1999 Gladys (Bowery) Black, RN
Class of 1930
1999 Rose Marie (Vecchi) Cunion, RN
Class of 1966
1999 Sr. Mary Zita Brennan, RSM, RN
Friend of Mercy College
1999 Sr. Mary Sebastian Geneser, RSM, RN
Friend of Mercy College

 

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Admissions: (515) 635-1133
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ABOUT US

Mercy College of Health Sciences has been transforming students into healthcare professionals since 1899. Located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, we offer master’s degreesbachelor’s degreesassociate degreescertificate programs, and continuing education courses.

Mercy College is the only private Catholic college in central Iowa and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), in addition to numerous programmatic accreditors.

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