TUCSON, Ariz. – Six alumni from the University of Arizona College of Nursing were celebrated during the 2011 UA Homecoming weekend special for their extraordinary work and professional achievements.

 

Jean Baruch, PhD, BSN (2010, 1997) was chosen as the 2011 Alumnus of the Year. As the founder of Beads of Courage, Dr. Baruch has used her knowledge and creativity to provide strength and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses. Beads of Courage is a non-profit organization that utilizes unique, colorful beads to mark children’s courage as they complete each of many challenging treatments,  such as chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, blood transfusions and more. Set up through more than 100 hospitals and three countries, 30,000 children across the globe have been touched by Dr. Baruch and her program.

 

Sherry Daniels, MS, MPH, RN (1998, 1996, 1976) was honored with the Alumni Association Recognition Award. A three-time graduate from the UA College of Nursing, Daniels has built a strong foundation within nursing and health education in Southern Arizona, serving in positions with the Indian Health Service, the Benson School District and the Pima County Health Department. In 2009, she was appointed director of Pima County Health Department.

 

Guifang Guo, PhD, RN (2007) was given the award for Global Achievement in recognition of her significant roles as a nursing leader in China and the World Health Organization. Upon receiving her PhD from the UA College of Nursing, she was appointed dean of Peking University School of Nursing in Beijing, China. Dr. Guo recently acquired a grant that will support nurse faculty scholars from across several Chinese universities to complete PhD program courses at the UA College of Nursing.

 

Carol Moffett, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, CDE (2007, 1977) received the Leo B. Hart Humanitarian Award for her personal and professional dedication in bringing nursing services and educational opportunities to Native American rural and urban communities. Since 1987, she has been a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, now holding the rank of Captain. Dr. Moffett has served the Gila River Indian community in this role, establishing 19 community-based clinics, as well as being deployed to Alabama and Florida after Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

 

Elias Provencio-Vasquez PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP (1992, 1987) received the Professional Achievement Award for being the first Hispanic male to earn a doctorate in nursing in the United States. Currently serving as dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Texas – El Paso, Dr.  Provencio-Vasquez   not only has demonstrated his commitment to high-quality learning through his own education, but also through the faculty positions he has held at numerous colleges across the country. He is a national role model to minority students and was named to the Nation’s Top Influential Hispanics-Corporate by Hispanic Business Magazine in October 2010.

 

Leslie Ritter, PhD, RN, FAAN (1996, 1981, 1974) received  the Extraordinary Faculty Award. Dr. Ritter continues to bring honor and distinction to the UA College of Nursing through her work with nursing, neurosciences, physiology and medicine at the UA. Dr. Ritter has earned multiple awards and honors, including the August Krogh Young Investigator Award in 1995, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 2000 and most recently, the William M. Feinberg Endowed Chair for Stroke Research. She led efforts to establish The University of Arizona Medical Center as the first certified Primary Stroke Center in Tucson and Southern Arizona. She provides extensive professional development opportunities to graduate and undergraduate students by catalyzing connections with alumni and faculty members and engages with various communities to promote knowledge about preventing and managing stroke.

 

Faculty at the University of Arizona College of Nursing envision, engage and innovate in education, research and practice to help people of all ages optimize health in the context of major life transitions, illnesses, injuries, symptoms and disabilities. Established in 1957, the college ranks among the top nursing programs in the United States. For more information about the college, please visit its website, www.nursing.arizona.edu.