School of Nursing Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Margie Sipe added another award to her lengthy list: the Mary Ann Garrigan Award for outstanding professional achievements in nursing. The award was given to the distinguished associate professor at an award ceremony Tuesday night. 

Created in 2012 by the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center Nursing Archives Associates, the Mary Ann Garrigan Award recognizes nursing leaders whose contributions to nursing practice, leadership, research, or education are exemplary, or individuals who have made substantial contributions in support of nursing. 

Sipe was nominated for her extensive research, innovative educational programs, and accomplishments in clinical practice. 

“When I first was contacted that I was being nominated for this award by my long-term colleague who is an amazing nurse leader, Dr. Kathy Bower, my first response was — I am not this individual; I am not worthy as I have not done anything special,” said Sipe. 

But Sipe’s body of work suggests otherwise. Sipe has been the recipient of the following: Excellence in Research Mentoring Award, DAISY Faculty Award, Alexandra Paul Simon Mentoring Award, Partners in Excellence Award for Quality Care, Loyal Service Award, ONL Elaine K. Sherwood Award, and the Spirit of Sigma Award, Boston College. 

On top of being inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing two years ago, Sipe has been named a National Academies of Practice Fellow and American Organization for Nursing Leadership Inaugural Fellow. 

“Finding ways to support the profession of nursing, is what I do — it is ingrained in who I am,” noted Sipe, who has been at the IHP for a dozen years and now leads the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. “It has been and continues to be a privilege to help grow leaders in nursing and help through my work in education, practice, leadership, and scholarship to foster the connections and opportunities for nurses to be the best versions of themselves. Being recognized with this award is indeed humbling and fills me with gratitude for this honor. It also inspires me to find more ways to uplift other nurses and help to recognize the important work that nurses do”