School of Nursing Well-Represented with Awards and Tributes at American Academy of Nursing Annual Conference

Sean Hennessey

Date

October 22, 2025

Topics

It was a whirlwind weekend for the MGH Institute’s School of Nursing faculty at this year’s American Academy of Nursing Annual Conference. Considering AAN is the most prestigious nursing organization in the world, the significance of the faculty and alums who were inducted as Fellows, the extraordinary service award that went to the Institute’s president, and an inaugural award given to the Institute’s recently retired nursing dean, is apparent.

MGH Institute President Paula Milone-Nuzzo was awarded the “Service to the Academy Special Recognition Award” for her extraordinary service in taking good care of the Academy’s finances by serving on the Finance Committee, as the Academy’s Treasurer, and as Chair of the Audit Committee.

“Dr. Milone-Nuzzo exemplifies the highest level of integrity and professionalism in her work and her support of the Academy’s mission has been unwavering,” the Academy's Immediate Past President, Linda D. Scott, told the crowd Saturday night. “Because I have had the distinct honor to serve the Academy along with her, I can attest that her passion is just as strong as her conviction for which she believes that this organization is a home for leaders who are collaborators and change makers. Given her years of dedication, I present her with the Academy Service Special Recognition. I would like to invite you all to join me to thank Paula for her stewardship and careful navigation for many years of the Academy’s financial strength.”

Milone-Nuzzo, PhD, RN, FHHC, FAAN, was humbled by the tribute,

“I have been a member of the American Academy of Nursing for over 25 years and remain engaged because of the importance of its mission,” noted Milone-Nuzzo, who is retiring from her post as president of the MGH Institute. “The Academy focuses on creating, refining, and influencing policy that supports healthy lives for all people. I have wanted to do everything I could to support and advance the Academy’s work. To be celebrated by this incredible organization for extraordinary service was such an honor because it recognized the small part that I played in impacting the lives of so many people. The many years of service I provided never felt extraordinary but rather a call to support an organization that does such important work.”

It was also a night when two of the Institute’s faculty were inducted as Fellows, the pinnacle of the nursing profession; not only does it speak volumes of one’s career and accomplishments, but also of one’s impact in healthcare. This year, Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor Eleonor Pusey-Reid, DNP, RN, M.Ed, ANEF, FAAN, and Associate Professor of Nursing Alex Hoyt, PhD, RN, FAAN, made the Class of 2025 list.

“I was feeling so fortunate to be at the IHP SON because it is a place where we show up for one another,” observed Hoyt. “There were over a dozen faculty and alums in attendance to celebrate with Eleonor and I.”

Echoed Pusey-Reid: “I am honored to have been inducted into the Academy alongside Professor Alex, and I share this recognition with our IHP and SON community.”

The duo weren’t the only ones with Institute connections who were inducted. Debbie Burke, RN, DNP, MBA, NEA-BC, FAAN, Senior Vice President for Patient Care and Chief Nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital and Professor of Nursing and Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs at the MGH Institute’s School of Nursing was inducted as was Valerie Fuller, DNP '08, a nurse practitioner at MaineHealth and President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners; Betsy Hassan, DNP ’19, Director of Nursing Education and Professional Development at the University of Vermont Medical Center; and Heather O'Sullivan, President and Chief Operating Officer of Healthcare at Home at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Finally, retired School of Nursing Dean Ken White, PhD, RN, LFACHE, FADLN, FAAN, was the recipient of the Academy’s inaugural Linda Burnes Bolton Polaris Award, named for the late Academy president, living legend, fellow, industry leader, and generous benefactor.

White, is a past president of the Academy and the organization’s first male president. Under his leadership, the Academy revitalized its stewardship, personal outreach, and relationship building to strengthen the sense of community within the Fellowship. Along with overseeing the Academy’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2023, White examined the Academy’s growing global footprint and international Fellowship to strengthen connections to Fellows abroad and harnessed their diverse perspectives.

"It is an honor to receive this award named for such an esteemed and celebrated legend within the profession," said White, who retired as School of Nursing Dean in 2024. "Everyone who knew Dr. Burnes Bolton understood that mission-driven leadership not only champions the association we choose to serve, but the people who are impacted by the actions our organizations take. Of all the organizations for which I have served, the Academy holds a special place. I wanted to achieve more by supporting the Academy Fellows, with my heart open wide, my hands extended for partnership, and my mind committed to thought leadership. I aimed to see nurses ‘Out Loud’ in our actions, and Dr. Burnes Bolton was an exceptional figure who championed this every day of her life."

People sit around a round dinner table looking at the camera — (from left): Associate Professor and new AAN Fellow Alex Hoyt; Monica O’Reilly-Jacob, Assistant Professor at Columbia University (and Hoyt’s co-sponsor); Nursing Professor Elissa Ladd; Professor Emerita Pat Reidy; Director of DNP Program, Margie Sipe; Nursing Dean Maura Abbott; Nursing Professor Suellen Breakey; Associate Professor Clara Gona; Associate Professor Emerita Rita Olans.

A woman in a pink dress stands on a stage with a backdrop that says Induction Ceremony 2025 — Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor and DNP ’11, Eleonor Pusey-Reid, at the annual conference of the American Academy of Nursing, where she was inducted as a Fellow, the pinnacle of the nursing profession.

Three people pose for the camera — (l to r) Dean Emeritus Ken White, Associate Professor Alex Hoyt, and Monica O’Reilly-Jacob, Assistant Professor, Columbia University. White and O’Reilly-Jacob Sponsored Hoyt’s Fellow application.

A man with a microphone speaks standing next to woman in pink dress — Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor Eleonor Pusey-Reid listening to Dean Emeritus Ken White during remarks made on her behalf.

A man and woman stand next to each other and pose for camera — Associate Professor Alex Hoyt and wife Kerri at annual conference of the American Academy of Nursing.

A woman hands a man a green folder while posing for photos — Hoyt receiving his certificate of Fellowship from Deborah Barksdale, President of the American Academy of Nursing.

A man stands at a podium — Dean Emeritus Ken White receiving the inaugural Linda Burnes Bolton Polaris Award from the Academy’s Immediate Past President, Linda D. Scott.

One woman holds a glass plaque while standing next to another woman — MGH Institute President Paula Milone-Nuzzo receiving the “Service to the Academy Special Recognition Award” from the Academy’s Immediate Past President, Linda D. Scott.

A glass plaque from the American Academy of Nurses — The plaque President Milone-Nuzzo received for her extraordinary service over 25 years to the American Academy of Nursing, the most prestigious nursing organization in the world.

Two women pose holding a folder between them — Pusey-Reid receiving her certificate of Fellowship from Deborah Barksdale, President of the American Academy of Nursing.