Nursing Hooding Ceremony & Commencement Awards

Harriet Towle Excellence in Clinical Nursing Practice Award

This award was established in 1989 by the nursing faculty. In 2006, the award was renamed in memory of Harriet Towle, a 1910 graduate of the MGH School of Nursing, and is given annually to a student whom the faculty has selected and who has met several criteria, including documented evidence of clinical judgment and caring and demonstrated initiative and leadership in practice.

The recipient must demonstrate respect and empathy for others, enthusiasm, and intellectual curiosity, and be perceived as articulate, conscientious, and patient.

George and Regina Herzlinger Prize in Memory of Rebecca Colvin

First awarded in 1996, this prize was established by Mr. and Mrs. George Herzlinger to commemorate the life of Rebecca Colvin, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Colvin, who died during her sophomore year at Princeton. The prize is awarded annually to a student in recognition of the development of an exceptional scholarly project. Exceptional writing and scholarly integration of theory and research, as well as application to advanced practice nursing, are recognized. The four criteria used in the selection include originality, contribution to advanced practice nursing, quality, and scholarly value. Mrs. Colvin '64 is an alumna.

Josephine Mangio Keaveney Memorial Nursing Prize

First awarded in 2003, this prize was established by Madeline M. Keaveney to honor her mother, Mrs. Josephine E. Keaveney, a 1940 graduate of the MGH School of Nursing. Mrs. Keaveney, who worked as a nurse at MGH for several years, later taught LPNs at Pondville State Hospital in Walpole, MA. The prize is awarded to an outstanding student from the RN post-professional program who best exemplifies the caring, spirit, and professionalism of Mrs. Josephine E. Keaveney.

Exceptional Advanced Practice Clinician and Mentor Award

Exceptional Advanced Practice Clinician and Mentor Award

First awarded in 2007, this award honors a distinguished role model and teacher who demonstrates excellence as an advanced practice clinician and educator. A student-nominated award at the advanced practice level provides an opportunity to recognize the individual who combines expert patient care, teaching theoretical concepts, and advanced clinical skills to students in the advanced practice role. This award is presented to those who personify the skills of an expert advanced practice clinician, including evidence-based practice, caring, role modeling, teaching, and compassion.

Judith A. Fong Nursing Faculty Prize

Judith A. Fong Nursing Faculty Prize

First awarded in 2007, This prize was established in 2006 through the generosity of Richard Bressler and Judith A. Fong, a 1968 graduate of the MGH School of Nursing and a current Trustee, to recognize and reward extraordinary clinical excellence by a nursing preceptor. Recipients have demonstrated distinction in the role of mentor to one or more students in the nursing program, and model clinical excellence in nursing practice. The award further recognizes the preceptor who identifies the teaching role as core to professional nursing responsibilities, incorporates principles of adult-specific teaching/learning theories, demonstrates recognition of individual student learning needs, and is flexible and seeks out opportunities to help students learn and adapt to the clinical nurse role.

DAISY Faculty Award

DAISY Faculty Award

First awarded at the Institute in 2016, DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The DAISY Foundation was formed in November 1999, by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). The nursing care Patrick received when hospitalized profoundly touched his family. The family recalled the skillful and compassionate care Patrick received from his nurses during his eight-week hospitalization. They wanted to say “thank you” to nurses everywhere by establishing a recognition program - The DAISY Award® For Extraordinary Nurses.

The Foundation's programs celebrate nurses and the compassion they provide to patients and families, reflecting all that is positive about their work in a way that is especially meaningful to nurses. The Foundation established the DAISY Faculty Award® to recognize dedicated nursing faculty who have a profound impact on the future practice of their students through their commitment and inspirational influence. There are now over 2,100 healthcare organizations in 15 countries, committed to honoring their nurses with The DAISY Award!

The MGH Institute of Health Professions School of Nursing has established a DAISY Faculty Award in memory of Dr. Lena Sorensen.

Faculty and Student Recognition for Outstanding Leadership Award

First awarded in 2009, this award is given to students graduating from the accelerated baccalaureate nursing program who has been identified by peers and faculty as demonstrating outstanding class leadership.

Faculty Recognition for Academic/Clinical Excellence

This award is given to students graduating from the accelerated baccalaureate nursing program (ABSN) with an outstanding grade point average and the strongest faculty recommendations attesting to overall academic and clinical achievement.

Miriam "Mim" J. Huggard, SON '31 Nursing Scholarship

Sponsored by the MGH Nurses' Alumnae Association (MGHNAA) in memory and in honor of Ms. Huggard's work and dedication to both the MGH and the MGHNAA, this scholarship award is given to a student in the Accelerated BSN Program at the start of his/her last semester. This student will demonstrate exemplary clinical skills during the first three semesters of the program and will have worked at the MGH prior to enrollment in the Accelerated Baccalaureate Program. The recipient shall also embody the core values that made 'Mim' an exceptional nurse, leader, and mentor.

Loyd Nichols Staats Scholarship

First awarded in 2009: Established under the aegis of the MGH Nurses' Alumnae Association (NAA) Endowed Fund at the MGH Institute of Health Professions School of Nursing, the funding for this scholarship was derived from the 1996 estate of Mary Hortense Staats, MGH School of Nursing Class of 1937. The scholarship is named to honor the memory of Loyd Nichols Staats, Mary's brother, who died at the young age of one year. It is awarded annually to an Accelerated BSN student in recognition of excellence in the theory and practice of nursing.

Wetherill Award

First awarded in 2015: Established at the McLean Hospital School of Nursing in 1936 and subsequently transferred to the MGH School of Nursing, the award was established with a gift from E. Stanley Abbott in memory of Marion Wetherill Abbott and her mother. The award is presented to two or more members of the graduating class who has been the most actuated throughout their course by the spirit of thoughtfulness for others or to have most developed that spirit while in the school.

Quinn Award for Social Justice in Nursing

Established by Dr. Lisa Quinn in 2020, this award is given to one or more Black students in good academic standing, who demonstrate leadership qualities and involvement in social activities, and entering the final semester of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program.