NAPNAP Honors Award-Winning Professionals

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) recently honored some its members with awards that recognize contributions to their profession, the organization, and health care.

Among the recipients is the late Sarah M. Gutknecht, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC, who was posthumously given the President’s Award.

According to Mary Chesney, PhD, APRN, CPNP, FAANP, FAAN, a friend to Gutknecht, the President’s Award is given to an individual chosen by the NAPNAP’s current president and is typically assigned to someone that has been helpful or inspiring to the person in that role.

In announcing the award at NAPNAP’s annual national conference in New Orleans, President Dawn Lee Garzon Maaks said Gutknecht was a dedicated NAPNAP member who inspired her to take on the position.

“I am honored to give our Sarah this award. This way, her name will forever be recorded in the history of the organization that she loved so dearly,” said Maaks.

Gutknecht was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and she died in August 2017, according to Maaks.

“For Dawn, Sarah had been a tremendous friend and support, despite being ill,” said Chesney, who accepted the award on behalf of Gutknecht and her family. “Sarah was just an inspirational person, just so joy filled. She was a good person, and funny and energetic. She was such as bright spark, had a tremendous heart and such a humanitarian.”

According to Chesney, past president of NAPNAP and a clinical professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Gutknecht connected well with pediatric patients, and was known to ride a bicycle to work. Chesney said even winters in Minneapolis, where Gutknecht lived, didn’t stop her from biking.

“She was a remarkable person,” said Chesney, in an interview.

Maaks described Gutknecht as a role model, humanitarian and pediatric advocate who went on dozens of service trips and served on multiple professional boards, including NAPNAP.

“She has never known a child who was not worth sitting with, playing with, and one not worth fighting for,” said Maaks of her friend, during the presentation.

In addition to announcing the President’s Award, NAPNAP recognized Margaret A. Brady, PhD, RN, CPNP as its Henry K. Silver Memorial Award winner.

According to NAPNAP, the Henry K. Silver Memorial Award is awarded biannually, in odd years. It recognizes 1 member of the organization for contributions to expansion or improvement of pediatric health care, as well as advancement of the pediatric-focused APRN profession at the national or international level.

The following awards also were announced by NAPNAP:

NAPNAP Advocacy Scholars Awards

Rebecca Carlson, MAN, APRN, CNP; Stacia Hays, DNP, CPNP-PC, CCTC, CNE; JoAnn Pun, BIR, RN, MSN, CPNP, PMHS; Vanessa Puschendorf, CPNP-PC; Malinda Teague, DNP, CPNP-AC/PC; Teresa Whited, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC

Special Interest Group (SIG) Awards

Outstanding SIG Award: Children in Disasters SIG

Acute Care Student Award: Olubusola Hall

Lisa Milonovich Acute Care PNP SIG Scholar Award: Kristen Brown, DNP, CRNP, PNP-AC

Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs Award: Jane E. Tobias, DNP, CPNP

Childhood Obesity Scholarly SIG Award: Jennifer L. Bianchini, RN-NC, MSN

Childhood Obesity SIG Conference Award: Samatha G. Lee, CPNP-BC

Child Maltreatment and Neglect Conference Award: Danielle Knox, CPNP-AC

Developmental Behavioral Mental Health Advocacy SIG Award: Angela J. Nash, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS

SBHC SIG Award: Katherine E. Chike-Harris, DNP, APRN, CPNP, NE

Global Healthcare SIG NP Award: Julie M. Buser, CPNP; Amy E. Delaney, MSN, CPNP

Immunization SIG Award: Dana DeShon, DNP, APN, CPNP-PC

Chapter Awards

Chapter Challenge Award: E-chapter; Oklahoma Chapter

Outstanding Large Chapter Award: Washington State Chapter

Outstanding Small Chapter Award: Connecticut Chapter

NAPNAP Foundation Award

Foundation President Award: Jo Ann Serota, DNP, RN, CPNP, FAANP, IBCLC