History
In 2001, the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools established the CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award to recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding international, professional and personal achievement that serves as a model for success in the global healthcare community. The award consists of a commemorative plaque, a sponsored symposium in the leadership area of the recipient and a reception and tribute dinner in honor of the recipient the evening of the symposium.
Speakers at the symposium are designated as Adele Herwitz Distinguished Scholars and receive commemorative plaques. CGFNS created the Adele Herwitz Distinguished Scholars distinction in honor of the Commission’s founding Executive Director.
Recipients
The inaugural CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award was presented on 31 October 2001, to the Honorable Syringa Marshall-Burnett, CD, MA, BAScN, PHN, HNS, RM, RGN, President of the Senate, Jamaica, West Indies and Chair, Department of Advance Nursing Education, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona.
On 17 December 2002, the CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award was presented to Amelia Mangay-Maglacas, DrPH, RN, FRCN (UK), ScD (Hon), Consultant in International Health and Nursing and the first Chief Scientist for Nursing at the World Health Organization.
On 3 December 2003, Gloria R. Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Former Vice President for Programs-Health, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, was presented the CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award.
On 8 December 2004, Kirsten Elisabeth Stallknecht, RN, Past President of the International Council of Nurses and Past President of the Danish Nurses Organization received the International Distinguished Leadership Award.
On 6 December 2005, Vernice D. Ferguson, RN, MA, FAAN, FRCN, and Senior Fellow Emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania and Fagin Family Chair in Cultural Diversity, was presented the CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award.
On 4 December 2007 the CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award was presented to William L. Holzemer, RN, PhD, FAAN, and Professor of Nursing and Associate Dean for International Programs and Lillian and Dudley Aldous
Endowed Chair in Nursing Science at the University of California,
San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing.
2008 Award
This year, CGFNS International is proud to award Afaf I. Meleis, PhD, DrPS(hon), FAAN, FRCN the CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award. Please see the BIOS section to learn more about her.
