Beta Iota Awards
2019 Nurse Scholar Award Recipient
Tina Volz, PHD, RN
Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award
The Beta Iota Chapter Awards and Scholarships Committee is delighted to recognize Dr. Tina Volz as the recipient of the 2019 Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award. For the past 10 years, Dr. Volz has been Director of Nursing Research at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Prior to this position, she served for 10 years as the healthcare organization’s Research Coordinator. Dr. Volz received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bowling Green State University and her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing. In addition to her work as both a manager and a nurse researcher in a large healthcare system, she has been an adjunct nursing faculty at Xavier University, Mount St. Joseph University, University of Cincinnati, and Northern Kentucky University. Dr. Volz has published in refereed journals of which the most recent article is Empowerment Works! Clinical Nurses and the Professional Practice Model and has served as reviewer for the Journal of Nursing Administration.
Her Sigma Theta Tau International experience began with her induction into the Beta Iota Chapter as a graduate student. Over the years, she has maintained active membership with Beta Iota Chapter and expanded her membership to dual status with Rho Theta at Northern Kentucky University. For several years, she has served as Chair of the Rho Theta Chapter Research Committee. Approximately 10 years ago, Dr. Volz became a member of the Southern Ohio Northern Kentucky (SONK) Consortium and for the past 5 years she has served as the SONK Consortium Conference Planning Committee Coordinator. In this role, she has been responsible for bringing together representatives from six STTI chapters located in close geographic proximity to plan annual conferences that engage national speakers who are renown for advancing nursing science and addressing critical healthcare issues. As a strong mentor for staff nurses and an advocate for their professional growth, Dr. Volz has consistently pursued payment from her healthcare system so that, at a minimum, 10 staff nurses could attend the SONK Consortium annual conferences This speaks to her leadership style which can best be described as competent, efficient, inclusive, kind and focused on the advancement of nursing science and the translation of evidence to patient care.
2014 Nurse Scholar Award Recipient
Susan Basta, PhD, RN
2014 Beta Iota Chapter Excellence In Nursing Education Award
Dr. Susan Basta is the Educational Program Coordinator for the University of Cincinnati Area Health Education Center. She earned her PhD in Nursing, MA in Health Education, MS in Nursing and BSN at The Ohio State University. Dr. Basta has a rich history as an educator both in a community and an academic setting. Prior to assuming her current position with HEALTH-UC in 1979, she was an Instructor of Nursing at UC College of Nursing (1977 to 1979) and has been an Adjunct Faculty from 1979 to 1998. Dr. Basta has been the Project Director of several Ohio Department of Health grants and has been the recipient of awards such as the American Heart Gene F. Conway Award, Ohio Public Health PRIDE Award, Beta Iota Chapter Research Grant for her dissertation, and the Beta Iota Chapter Research Award for completed research. Dr. Basta has presented multiple health education programs in the community that address such issues as heart health, smoking cessation, cancer screening and prevention. She has been instrumental in mobilizing the communities in Adams and Brown Counties to decrease heart-related mortality and morbidity. Over the years, she has worked with nursing students and medical residents in her role as program coordinator. She has published several articles that address health education as well as issues relevant to rehabilitation nursing.
Dr. Basta has been a member of Sigma Theta Tau International since 1972. As an active member of Beta Iota Chapter, she has been a member of the Research Committee and the Awards & Scholarships Committee. Dr. Basta is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Midwest Nursing Research Society, Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, Society for Public Health Education, American Evaluation Association, American Nurses Association, Ohio Nurses Association, and SONA.
2013 Nurse Scholar Award Recipients
Jeanine (Gigi) Robison, MSN, RN AOCN
2013 Beta Iota Chapter Excellence In Nursing Education Award
Jeanene (Gigi) Robison, MSN, RN, AOCN, is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for inpatient and outpatient settings at The Christ Hospital. She has been an oncology nurse for 30 years, 24 years have been as an advanced practice nurse. Ms. Robison has been involved in the development of the Oncology Nursing Society’s “Putting Evidence into Practice” regarding Skin Reactions. She has conducted multiple oncology certification workshops (both advanced and basic), developed patient educational materials, is a Beacon Trainer (a computerized documentation system for medical oncology treatment plans), and serves in multiple leadership roles in the local chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society. Ms. Robison is responsible for providing educational programs and competency oversight for the new and experienced oncology nurse including chemotherapy and biotherapy administration. She has authored articles and chapters addressing various oncology nursing issues. She has been instrumental in the development of protocols and critical pathways relevant to patient care such as the Neutropenia with Fever Critical Pathway. She has participated on research studies and most recently received funding to conduct a massage therapy study. Ms. Robison serves as chair or member of multiple institutional committees relevant to oncology care. She has been a member of Sigma Theta Tau International and an active member of Beta Iota Chapter since 1982.
Rita H. Pickler, PhD, RN, PNP-BC, FAAN
2013 Beta Iota Chapter
Excellence In Research Award
the Center for Professional Excellence, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). Previously, Dr. Pickler was Acting Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has over 30 years of clinical, teaching, and research experience and over 20 years of funded studies on the care of the preterm infant. Dr. Pickler has served as an NIH reviewer for scientific panels and chairs the NIH Nursing Research’s standing review panel. In addition to her faculty position at UC College of Nursing, she holds an adjunct faculty position at The Ohio State University. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and is Co-chair of the Child Adolescent Family Expert Panel. Her research findings on feeding intolerance in pre-term infants have had significant implications in the neonatal nursing practice setting. Dr. Pickler has authored numerous publications and currently, she is the editor of the Journal of Advanced Nursing. She is a member of scientific organizations including the Midwest Nursing Research Society, the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science and the International Council of Infant Studies. Dr. Pickler has been a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Gamma Omega Chapter since 1979 and in 2011, became a dual member of Beta Iota Chapter.
2012 Nurse Scholar Award Recipients
Barbara J. Smith, BS Ed., BSN, RN
Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award
Barbara Smith is Clinical Nurse Manager of the MICU, University Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio. She received a BS Ed from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, and a BSN from the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing. Barbara’s nursing career and contributions to acute care nursing span twentyyears. She worked in management and clinical positions, and in administration and staffing management. She served as Nursing Supervisor, including oversight of ten medical–surgical units and ten critical care units, for University Hospital.
Janice M. Dyehouse, PhD, RN
Excellence in Research Award
Dr. Janice Dyehouse is Professor Emeritus and Director of the RN Educational Mobility Program at the UC College of Nursing. She received a BSN from the College of Mount St. Joseph, an MSN in Psychiatric Nursing and a PhD in Sociology from UC.
Dr. Dyehouse has held positions in academia such as Associate Director, Institute of Nursing Research, and Interim Associate Dean for Research at the UC College of Nursing. Her career as a researcher spans forty years. During that time she received several NIH grants as principle investigator and is known globally as an expert scientist in the field of alcohol and substance abuse. She is widely published and has presented at international, national, and regional conferences.
2011 Nurse Scholar Award Recipients
Christine Colella, MSN, CS, CNP
Excellence in Nursing Education Award
Christine is an Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing and Director of Nurse Practitioner and Ambulatory Practitioner programs at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing. She received her nursing diploma from Quincy City Hospital School of Nursing, MA, her baccalaureate and masters degree from the UC College of Nursing and her post masters Adult Practitioner Certificate from Northern Kentucky University. She was inducted into the UC Academy of Fellows for Teaching and Learning in 2008, was recipient of the 2004 College of Mount St. Joseph Nurse Educator award, received the UC College of Nursing Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award in 2005 and 1998 and the Dean’s Teaching Award. She has served on university and college committees and in leadership positions in professional nursing organizations. Christine has coauthored numerous publications, presented locally and nationally, and served as a legal consultant. She maintains clinical expertise through work as an Adult Nurse Practitioner at the Lincoln Heights Health Center and volunteering at the Trinity Health Clinic, Lawrenceburg, IN. Christine believes that professional excellence involves a high degree of integrity, knowledge, competence and interpersonal skills.
Maria (Suzy) Azucena Alvarez-Hussey, MSN, CS, CRT, ARNP
Excellence in Clinical Practice Award
Suzy is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at University Hospital and Nurse Psychotherapist with Northern Kentucky Psychiatry Associates. She received her BSN from the University of St. Tomas, Manila, Philippines and her masters degree in Adult Psychiatry from the UC College of Nursing. Her nursing career and professional contributions to mental health care span 43 years. She has worked in multiple nursing roles such as Clinical Nurse Supervisor at an alcoholism clinic in New York, Head Nurse at Rollman’s Psychiatric Institute, Cincinnati, Director of Nursing Research and Development at University Hospital, Director/Nursing Administrator and Psychiatric Clinical Specialist at The Christ Hospital, and Clinical Instructor at Northern Kentucky University. Suzy is a consummate presenter on multiple mental health topics. She is a member the ANA, Kentucky Nurses Association, Institute for Reality Therapy, Association of Psychiatric Nurses in America, and has served in leadership positions in the Filipino Association of Southern Ohio. Suzy is founder of the Philippine Nurses Association of Ohio in Cincinnati, where she serves as an advocate and mentor of Philippine nurses, facilitating their acculturation within society and in the nursing profession.
2010 Nurse Scholar Award Recipients
Sharon Ashley, MSN, RN
Excellence in Nursing Leadership
Sharon Ashley is the Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Performance Improvement at Adams County Regional Medical Center. For almost 20 years prior to her current position, Sharon served as the Director of Allied Health Services, Outpatient Rehabilitation, Inpatient Case Manager, and Performance Improvement/JCAHO Coordinator at Adams County Hospital. She received her MSN from University of Cincinnati and her BSN from Ohio University. In 1984, Sharon was inducted into the Beta Iota Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, The Honor Society of Nursing.
Wanda O. Wilson, PhD, MSN, CRNA
Excellence in Nursing Education
Dr. Wanda Wilson became the seventh Executive Director of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) in December, 2009. Prior to assuming this administrative role, Wanda was the Director of the Nurse Anesthesia Major at the UC College of Nursing (CON). Her rich clinical history in nurse anesthesia spans 36 years. Under Wanda’s leadership, the CON Nurse Anesthesia Program ranked 11th out of 108 United States graduate nurse anesthesia programs. In 1993, Wanda was inducted into the Beta Iota Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, The Honor Society of Nursing.
2009 Nurse Scholar Award Recipients
Julie Holt, MSN, RN
Excellence in Nursing Leadership
Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer of the West Chester Medical Center, former Clinical Executive and Chief Nursing Officer for Drake Center, served as Treasurer of the Greater Cincinnati Nurse Executives, and honored as the 2004 Business Courier’s Health Care Hero and the 2002 YWCA Greater Cincinnati Rising Star.
Vicki L. Smith, BSN, RN
Excellence in Clinical Practice
Manager of Clinical Education at Mercy Hospital Clermont, former case manager and unit based ICU educator, primary designer of the Mercy Hospital Clermont Critical Care Internship Program, and instrumental in the implementation of the Admin-Rx medication administration system which links the correct medication, dosage, time, and patient.
Linda Baas, PhD, RN, ACNP
Excellence in Clinical Research
Director of Nursing Research at Christ Hospital, former Professor of Nursing and Director of the Adult Acute Care Graduate Program at University of Cincinnati, Fellow of the American Heart Association, and nationally recognized nurse researcher in cardiac care particularly, quality of life in patients with heart failure and heart transplants.
Anita Finkelman, MSN, RN
Excellence in Nursing Education
Dean of Online Education at Galen College, former graduate faculty at the University of Oklahoma, 2008 College of Mount St. Joseph Nurse Educator Award recipient, author of the award winning book, Teaching the IOM: Implications of the IOM Reports for Nursing Education, and co-author of Professional Nursing Concepts: Competencies for Quality Leadership.