The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) honored two members of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing—a staff member and a faculty member—at its biennial convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, Nov. 8-11, 2025.
Jennifer Fellows, MBA, director of operations and communications, and Joseph Goode, PhD, MSN, CRNA, associate professor, received 2025 International Awards for Nursing Excellence in recognition of their creativity and innovation.
From telling inspiring stories that showcase the impact of nursing to developing simulation courses that teach lifesaving skills to students, Fellows and Goode reflect Pitt Nursing’s commitment to nurturing new ideas and initiatives, said Dean Christine E. Kasper, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACSM.
“Creativity and innovation are central to everything we do in the School of Nursing, and Jennifer and Joe are testaments to what we can achieve by continually learning, adopting advanced technologies and thinking outside the box,” Kasper said. “We are incredibly proud of their achievements and can’t wait to see how they will continue to innovate in the future.”
Read on to learn more about this year’s winners and how their creative contributions are shaping Pitt Nursing.
Jennifer Fellows
Fellows earned the Creative Communications Award, which recognizes individuals “who pursue excellence in communicating nursing’s rich and diverse stories.” Nominees are judged on their ability to portray nursing in a positive light, inform the public about nurses’ contributions to society, further the mission and vision of Sigma, and tell stories clearly and creatively.
In her role, Fellows keeps the Pitt Nursing community informed about the accomplishments of its faculty, staff, students and alumni through e-newsletters, magazines, videos, social media campaigns and high-profile events like the annual Cameos of Caring Awards Gala. Her stories about the impact nurses make through research, rural initiatives, and leadership roles have reached wide audiences, including members of the public who may have previously thought that nurses were limited to bedside care.
Fellows has played an instrumental role in making Pitt Nursing nationally known for its highly ranked programs, rigorous research and award-winning faculty. She has led efforts to nominate Pitt Nursing faculty for prestigious awards, resulting in faculty being honored by the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research, Eastern Nursing Research Society, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and more.
Fellows said she feels honored to share the successes of Pitt Nursing faculty, students and alumni.
“As a marketing professional, I have the deepest appreciation for the incredible things a nurse accomplishes from excelling in the clinical setting and leading in the boardroom to pioneering research that will shape the future of healthcare,” Fellows said. “Nurses are amazing.”
Joseph Goode Jr.
Goode earned the Edith Moore Copeland Award for Excellence in Creativity and Innovation, which recognizes innovative collaborations, technologies and other creative pursuits that positively advance the field of nursing. It is one of six “Founders Awards” that pays homage to the six founding nurses of Sigma.
“It is an incredible honor to be the recipient of the 2025 Edith Moore Copeland Award for Excellence in Creativity and Innovation,” Goode said, “but it is really a positive reflection of all the supportive mentors and colleagues, as well as the students, that I have worked with during my career.”
As an associate professor and vice chair for research and scholarship in the Department of Nurse Anesthesia, Goode has spearheaded a number of simulation-based education materials to teach critical skills to Pitt Nursing students. He has been at the forefront of health care simulation education for 25 years and previously received a nearly $500,000 grant from the U.S. Air Force to implement a simulation-based education program to prevent back injuries in nurses. Earlier this year, he co-led a simulation training program to teach anesthesia students how to establish a surgical airway when one is lost during surgery—a rare but critical event. He also runs the Anesthesia Crisis Leadership Training course, which uses simulations to prepare trainees for emergencies in real-world settings.
In addition to advocating for simulation-based education, Goode has been involved in clinical and laboratory research since 1979. He has presented or published on topics including anesthesia, artificial organ development, emergency medicine and health care simulation and is widely regarded as an expert in High Frequency Jet Ventilation, a method that delivers small tidal volumes of oxygen to the lungs, which can help to prevent lung
movement and reduce injuries in certain circumstances. He continues to practice as a staff certified registered nurse anesthetist at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.
About Sigma
Sigma is an international community of nurse leaders dedicated to transforming health care and advancing knowledge, teaching, learning and service. The organization has over 100,000 active members and 600 chapters across the globe, and it offers a variety of awards to recognize nursing achievements.
The Sigma International Awards for Nursing Excellence celebrate “superior achievement” in the fields of leadership and professionalism, nursing practice, research and education, and communications. The 48th Biennial Convention brought together more than 2,000 Sigma members and global nursing leaders from more than 50 countries to celebrate these achievements and advancements in nursing.
“These awards recognize individuals whose vision, courage and commitment elevate nursing and health care worldwide,” said Sigma CEO Lucas M. Davis, MEd, CAE. “Their work touches lives, strengthens communities and advances the profession in ways that will ripple across generations.”