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The New Jersey League for Nursing, a constituent league of the National League for Nursing, recently hosted its 2008 Autumn Gala and Nurse Recognition Awards at the Pines Manor in Edison, to celebrate some very special nurse honorees and 93 years as an organization that fosters nursing education and service throughout New Jersey.

Greeting an audience of over 400 guests, the largest in the gala's history, Michelle Foley, RN, MA, CNE, NJLN president, spoke about the significance of the evening and told the winners' stories, highlighting the many contributions they have made to their patients, facilities, and communities.

With words spoken from the heart and maybe just a few tears, the awardees told why they chose nursing in the first place and why they were so grateful that they had. They shared important moments from their "journeys of excellence," giving recognition and thanks to coworkers, supervisors, teachers, mentors, and family members who accompanied them on those journeys.

The award recipients include the following —

Virginia A. Bakelaar, RN, BSN, Postacute Care Unit nurse manager, Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Christian Health Care Center

Cheryl Boehly, RN, clinical educator, Kennedy Health System

Sherry A. Burrell, RN, MSN, CNE, clinical nursing faculty, Department of Nursing, Camden College of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

David Anthony Forrester, RN, PhD, ANEF, professor of Nursing, UMDNJ School of Nursing and professor in residence; Interdisciplinary Health research consultant, Morristown Memorial Hospital

Deborah P. Gold, RN, Community Health registered nurse, Valley Home Care, Inc.

Annette Hubbard, RN, BSN, MA, founder of Concerned Black Nurses of Newark, and a private consultant, Consultant Services

Helen W. Jones, RN, PhD, MN, professor, Health Sciences Education, Raritan Valley Community College

Catherine Keane, APN, C, MSN, supervisor, Clinical Education, John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Solaris Health System

Rhonda Krinsky, RN, BSN, MPH, Emergency Management Education coordinator, Bayshore Community Hospital

Geraldine Laudino, RN, BSN, Rehabilitation staff/charge nurse, JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute of Solaris Health System

Eric Linotte, RN, BSN, MSN, clinical coordinator, Emergency Services, Mountainside Hospital

Foley presented this year's NJLN President's Award to Donna Marie Angelucci, RN, BC, MA, for her outstanding leadership qualities and contributions to nursing, for a career of excellence in both practice and education, and in recognition of her strong spirit of volunteerism and her work in service to her community. Angelucci has been a member of the NJLN for more than 20 years and a valued league board member for more than a decade. She is the director of Education and Research at Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, N.J.

Highlighting the league's emphasis on the importance of nursing education, the 2008 NJLN nursing scholarships were presented to two very deserving students. The recipient of the Jack Robertson Memorial Scholarship Award was Barbara Sanders, RN, a student at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, who will complete her degree in 2012. The Dr. Paul F. Zito Foundation Scholarship Award was presented to Regina Hicks, a senior nursing student at the Muhlenberg-Harold B. and Dorothy A. Snyder Schools in Plainfield, N.J., who will graduate in January 2009.

Nelson Tuazon, RN, MAEd, MSN, MBA, CNAA, FACHE, senior vice president and chief nursing officer, East Orange General Hospital, and his staff were the recipients of the 2008 Corporate Recognition Award for the outstanding role they play in the provision of quality, cost-effective, affordable, and accessible services to the residents of the surrounding communities. Although several area hospitals have closed, EOGH has continued to provide primary and acute care services to East Orange, Irvington, and Newark patients, maintaining its ED's "no diversion" policy.

Good food, great music, lots of dancing, gift and cash raffle drawings, and door prizes added to the evening's festivities, and as everyone celebrated the start of the holiday season, they also celebrated the profession of nursing and the outstanding nurse honorees whose winning stories gave true reason to celebrate.

Eileen P. Williamson, RN, MSN, is associate vice president, Professional Services, for the NY/NJ division of Nursing Spectrum.

To comment, e-mail editorNJ@nursingspectrum.com.