2020 UB SON Awards

Congratulations to our 2020 UB School of Nursing award recipients!

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Distinguished Alumni Award: Cheryl A. May, MBA, BSN, BA

Cheryl May.

University at Buffalo School of Nursing’s 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to Cheryl A. May, MBA, BS ‘77, BA.

This award is given to a UB School of Nursing alumnus in recognition of exceptional career accomplishments, community or university service, or research and scholarly activity.

Cheryl May is an accomplished health care leader and advocate for the advancement of nursing. Throughout her distinguished career, May has worked in multiple health care environments, including cardiology, community case management, physician recruitment, utilization review, ambulatory administration, and clinical research phases III and IV with the FDA.

Cheryl May holding Distinguished Alumni plaque.

She was also the director of the Children’s National Medical Center Magnet Recognition ProgramĀ®, director of professional practice at Georgetown University, and senior policy analyst with the American Nurses Association during the 104th Congress. May continues to support a highly educated nursing workforce to develop nurses into health care leaders and to ensure our nation has access to high-quality patient-centered care.

Patricia H. Garman Award for Excellence and Service in Nursing: Diane Ceravolo, MS, RN

Diane Ceravolo.

University at Buffalo School of Nursing’s 2020 Patricia H. Garman Award for Excellence and Service in Nursing is presented to Diane Ceravolo, MS, RN.

This award is given to an individual in recognition and in appreciation of their significant support and impact on the advancement of the UB School of Nursing. The award acknowledges outstanding contributions to the nursing profession embodying the mission, vision and values of the UB School of Nursing.

Ceravolo received her BS in Nursing from UB SON in 1982 after graduating from E.J Meyer School of Nursing and went on to earn her MS in Nursing from UB SON in 1987.

Ceravolo is currently an adjunct instructor at UB SON. She is a strong supporter of lifelong learning and baccalaureate education for registered nurses and throughout her career has encouraged colleagues to advance their education. In her role as director of professional nursing practice at Sisters of Charity Hospital, Ceravolo was instrumental in establishing and expanding the dedicated education unit (DEU) model of education in WNY -- the model is a partnership between health care administrators, nurse clinicians and faculty to create an optimal and efficient learning environment for students. Every UB SON undergraduate student participates in the DEU program and gains invaluable experiences that help them to develop vital skills and knowledge. Ceravolo has also served as preceptor for many nursing students and has helped to facilitate student service in the community.

Distinguished Preceptor Award: Jennifer Earsing, ANP-BC

Jennifer Earsing.

University at Buffalo School of Nursing’s 2020 Distinguished Preceptor Award is presented to Jennifer Earsing, ANP-BC.

This award is given to recognize an outstanding clinical preceptor for the School of Nursing.

From her nominators:

Jennifer is an Adult Nurse Practitioner and UB SON alumna who graduated from the adult nurse practitioner masters degree program in 2011. Since that time, she has practiced at the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center outpatient clinics.

For the past three years, Ms. Earsing has been a willing preceptor for both the Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) program and the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program. She has shared her expertise with these students and mentored them in their expanded roles. Jennifer has been a positive role model for the students and has been enthusiastic in her praise of their accomplishments.  There are times that I have received a text or phone call from her, letting me know the details of a student who has done something well. She is also able to identify student deficits and provide a path to improve their skills. 

Jennifer Earsing holding Distinguished Preceptor plaque.

In addition to all of the above, Jennifer has supported our ANEW grant and Teleheath by enabling faculty observation of FNP or AGNP student-patient interaction via iPad visits.

Ms. Earsing is committed to her own professional development. She is currently enrolled in UBSON’s Post-MS to DNP program, which she began in Fall 2019.

Published May 6, 2020