The Driscoll Award is given annually from the Board of Trustees of the Foundation of New York State Nurses to an individual who stands out through his or her dedication and determination in supporting the Foundation of New York State Nurses in their efforts to increase public knowledge and understanding of nursing, the nursing profession, and the arts and sciences on which human health depends.  The Driscoll Award seeks to recognize those individuals who epitomize the standards and values for which Veronica M. Driscoll stood.  
 

2009

Linda D. Sickler, AAS is the first non-nurse recipient of the Driscoll Award. She devoted more than three decades to working with the two nursing organizations Veronica M. Driscoll, EdD, RN, loved and led--the New York State Nurses Association and the Foundation of New York State Nurses. Mrs. Sickler shared Dr. Driscoll's perspective and vision for nurses, nursing, and those served by nurses. Mrs. Sickler served as the Foundation's Administrative Assistant and in that capacity demonstrated her multifaceted talents. She skillfully interacted with nursing leaders, nurse constituents, vendors, and staff.

2008

Cecilia F. Mulvey, PhD, RN is passionate about the profession of nursing and the missions of the Foundation. Her influence on the nursing community is far-reaching at all levels as an educator and a mentor. Dr. Mulvey has been a steadfast supporter of the Foundation since its beginnings 33 years ago and currently serves on the Leadership Team of Central New York Nurses drive to endow the Center for Nursing Research. The many roles she has held testify to her concern for health needs and professional nurses in her "communities." These include, but are not limited to: Past President and continuing supportive member of the Central Counties Professional Nurses Association, District #4, Board member of the Visiting Nurse Service of Onondaga County, diverse service to the American Nurses Association, Past President of the Foundation of the American Nurses Association, Past President of the American Nurses Credentialing Center and currently Co-Chair of the Credentialing Center's international work. Dr. Mulvey's contribution to the growth and development of the Magnet Program and its resultant standard of ever-increasing excellence in nursing practice and care.

2007

Janet P. Mance, MN, RN was an Incorporator of the Foundation in 1975, serving as Vice President from 1976-1992 and as President from 1992-1998. Her extraordinarily insightful leadership was crucial to ensuring the Foundation’s growth and development.  She possesses a forward-looking vision and utilizes great creativity to advance the profession of nursing. In 2001, Ms. Mance helped the Foundation’s Board develop the “Special Initiative: Advancement of the Nursing Profession, its Essential Elements and Capacity to Serve, Position Statement a nd Action.”   Ms. Mance also shared her unique leadership gifts as President of the Genesee Valley Nurses Association, Vice President and President of New York State Nurses Association and Director of its Legislative Program. As current acting Chair of the Keuka College Department of Nursing, she displays her dedication to nursing education. As a speaker, she promotes the understanding of nursing and health care needs in the community. Ms. Mance continues her commitment to the Foundation as a member of the Board of Trustees and as Co-Chair of the Central New York Nurses Drive to endow the Foundation’s Center for Nursing Research.

M. Janice Nelson, EdD, RN has life time professional achievements which reflect her extraordinary vision, insight and creativity in advancing the profession of nursing.   As founder of the College of Nursing within the State of New York University System at the Health Science Center, now the SUNY Upstate Medical University, her support for the profession and its advancement is clearly evident.   In 1999, Dr. Nelson became a trustee and in 2001 assisted the Board of Trustees in developing the “Special Initiative: Advancement of the Nursing Profession, its Essential Elements and Capacity to Serve, Position Statement and Action.” Her understanding of the profession of nursing, nursing practice, education and administration, and her work with the Columbus, Ohio Board of Health, the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York and Governor Cuomo’s Task Force on Life and Health markedly enhanced public understanding of nursing. She is indefatigable in supporting nursing causes and organizations. Dr. Nelson is Co-Chair of the Central New York Nurses’ one million dollar endowment drive to endow the Center for Nursing Research.

2006

Margeret G. Tyson, EdD, RN is one of the extraordinary contributors to the growth and development of the Foundation and its mission.  She served as an academic advisor to Veronica M. Driscoll and many others who "credited her with the fact they successfully completed their doctorates." From the moment of the Foundation's establishment in 1975, Dr. Tyson vigorously supported its mission and programming serving with insight and enthusiasm as a member of the Board of Trustees. Over the years, she has been one of the Foundation's most generous donors. Upon her resignation as an Active Trustee, the Board designated her an Honorary Trustee.

2005

Beatrice M. Latremore, MS, RN is a founding trustee and an honorary trustee of the Foundation.  Over many years, she persevered in sustaining and promoting the Foundation.  She dedicated herself to the establishment of the Foundation and the advancement of its mission and goals.

2004

Erline McGriff, EdD, RN, FAAN served as active Trustee of the Foundation for the period 1982-1986.  Upon her resignation as an active Trustee, the Board designated her an Honorary Trustee.  Subsequently, Dr. McGriff, with inimitable grace and style, chaired the Foundation's Healing Hands Campaign, which exceeded the goal of 3.5 million dollars and enabled the Foundation to retire the Veronica M. Driscoll Center for Nursing mortgage early.

Laura Simms, EdD, RN is a Foundation Incorporator and its first President.  In that capacity, she skillfully and passionately guided the organization's establishment in 1975 and its development over the next twelve years when she resigned the Presidency but continued to serve as an active Trustee.  Upon her resignation as an active Trustee, she became a Trustee Emeritus.

2003

Catherine Leach, RN served as an New York State Nurses Association staff member from 1961 until her retirement as Deputy Director, Administration in 1985.  She was part of the team providing staffing services to the Foundation upon its establishment in 1975 and through 1985.  Ms. Leach was an extraordinarily generous Foundation donor and worked tirelessly to encourage others to support the Foundation and the Center for Nursing.

2002

Cathryne A. Welch, EdD, RN was, fittingly, the first recipient of the Driscoll Award.  Dr. Welch has provided leadership, vision, support and unflagging commitment to the Foundation from its inception through three decades.  Previously Executive Director of the Foundation, Dr.Welch is currently the director of the Bellevue Alumnae Center for Nursing History and the Central New York Nurses Center for Nursing Research.