Two Pitt Nursing alumnae were honored in late October with prestigious awards from the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR).
Margaret Rosenzweig, a two-time alumna and professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, is the 2020 recipient of the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research’s (FNINR) President’s Award. Bernadette Melnyk (MSN ’83) is the 2020 recipient of FNINR’s Ada Sue Hinshaw Award.
The highly competitive President’s Award is given annually by FNINR to a researcher who engages both academia and clinical practice partners. This individual brings both groups together to create and use new knowledge that promotes and improves the health of individuals, families, and communities surrounding symptom science, wellness, self-management of chronic conditions, and/or end-of life care. Recipients of the award also are recognized for their efforts in advancing academic nursing science and care setting collaboration to improve care.
Rosenzweig has been principal investigator on 15 studies addressing cancer survivorship, symptom management, end of life care, and disparities among women with breast cancer. Her work has contributed to the understanding of racial differences in the completion of breast cancer treatment and the identification of geographic risk for higher breast cancer mortality.
Rosenzweig’s previous honors include induction as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, the Public Cancer Education Award from the Oncology Nursing Society, the YMCA Racial Justice Award, the PNC/Komen Community Caring Award, and recognition by Carlow University’s Women of Spirit program.
She holds a secondary appointment in the School of Medicine and is the associate director for Catchment Area Research for the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. In this role, Rosenzweig is part of the senior leadership team and co-leads Hillman Cancer Center’s health equity and community outreach and engagement efforts.
Melnyk received the Ada Sue Hinshaw Award for 2020. This award is considered the pre-eminent award given by FNINR, named in honor of the first permanent Director of the National Institute of Nursing Research. Recipients have a substantive and sustained program of science that would afford them recognition as a prominent senior scientist.
Melnyk is dean of the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University. Melnyk also serves as Ohio State’s vice president for Health Promotion and University Chief Wellness Officer. She is a nationally known educator, pediatric and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and a researcher funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Nursing Research. Melnyk has demonstrated leadership in research, education, and practice and has dedicated her professional career to improving the health of children and parents. She developed the dual pediatric nurse practitioner/psychiatric nurse practitioner program at the University of Rochester—the first of its kind in the nation—and established a similar program at Arizona State University, where she previously served as Dean of Nursing.
Melnyk was named a recipient of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006.