National League for Nursing to Honor Dr. Polly Bednash at 2014 Nursing Education Summit

Retiring AACN CEO Chosen to Receive NLN President's Award in Ceremony at NLN Banquet, Friday, September 19 in Phoenix, AZ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC, June 10, 2014 — In acknowledgment of her stature and distinction within nursing education and the wider stage of American health care, as she exits the top position of one of nursing education's leading organizations, the National League for Nursing will honor Geraldine "Polly" Bednash, PhD, RN, FAAN, with the NLN's highest accolade. The capacity crowd of nurse faculty, deans, and administrators and executives of health care organizations attending the 2014 NLN Education Summit in Phoenix this September 17-20 will see the exceptional CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) receive the NLN President's Award. An announcement of Dr. Bednash's retirement was made earlier this year.

The President's Award will be presented during the Summit's elegant banquet on Friday evening, September 19. NLN president Dr. Marsha Adams will make the presentation amid the festivities, which also include the induction of the new class of fellows into the Academy of Nursing Education and the announcement of the new NLN Centers of Excellence.

"The AACN and the NLN have both worked hard throughout the years to promote nursing education," observed Dr. Adams, also a professor and senior associate dean for academic programs in the Capstone College of Nursing at the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa. "By recognizing Polly for her towering achievements during her 28 years at the helm of AACN, the NLN salutes her leadership and dedication to our shared values, mission, and enterprise."

NLN CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN aptly noted: "We are delighted to have this opportunity to publicly recognize Polly within this forum, among her peers: thought leaders, policy-makers, scholars, and outstanding classroom and clinical instructors in nursing education. We will miss her presence at AACN, but know that whatever retirement brings, Polly will continue to contribute the wisdom of her experience. She has left her signature on nursing education and health care.

AACN leadership likewise weighed in with kudos.

"AACN applauds the leadership at the NLN for acknowledging Dr. Bednash's contributions to enhancing nursing education and patient care with this high honor," said AACN president Eileen T. Breslin, PhD, RN, FAAN. "Polly's impact on the nursing profession has been profound, and we are so pleased the NLN is recognizing her stellar work to promote high standards in nursing education, research, and practice with the President's Award."

Dr. Bednash was profoundly moved by the NLN announcement. "I am very grateful to my colleagues at the NLN to receive this prestigious award and for the many opportunities I've had over the years to collaborate with Dr. Malone, Dr. Adams, and other leaders affiliated with the League," said Dr. Bednash. "Together, I know that AACN and the NLN can make a difference in promoting academic progression and championing excellence in nursing education. That's a legacy we can all be proud of and a shared goal that all nurse educators can rally around."

Dr. Bednash's bio-sketch may be found here.

For complete information on NLN Summit 2014 and to register, visit
/summit/2014/index.html.

Editors/Reporters: For interview opportunities, please contact Karen R. Klestzick, chief communications officer at the NLN, at 202-909-2483 or kklestzick@nln.org.

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 40,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members. NLN members represent nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education, and health care organizations and agencies.