Awards

LCDR Taylor Anzidei, NC, USN, is this year’s recipient of the RADM Alene B. Duerk Award. As an active-duty Nurse Corps officer currently assigned as Division Officer & Medical Officer Recruiter, RTAG New England, she manages 50 centers of influence across five states. She actively seeks out opportunities in which she can further the profession of nursing and ensure readiness for Navy Nurses. She maintains her own readiness by working as a per diem nurse in nearby Intensive Care Units (Brigham and Women’s, University of Pennsylvania Hospital, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital).

In addition to her full and part time roles, LCDR Anzidei is completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (graduates this summer) at the University of Pennsylvania Nursing School and as part of her doctorate work, has created a tool that measures the frequency and exposure of critical care skills for active-duty nurses in a civilian-military partnership to assure wartime readiness skills and identify gaps. She presented this tool to the Nurse Corps leadership in March and was asked to present her work to the Navy active duty and reserve flag officers with the goal of adoption Navy wide.

LCDR Anzidei also serves as the Command’s Protocol Officer and has been involved in the highly successful planning and execution of the Navy’s Fleet Weeks in San Francisco and Philadelphia and is currently planning this summer’s event in New York City. From March to May, 2020, she was the ICU team leader in the Javits Center NYC, COVID Field Hospital. LCDR Anzidei’s superb clinical acumen coupled with her outreach opportunities while serving in the Recruiting Command brings visibility and opportunities for civilian-military partnerships and readiness excellence for Navy Nurses, both active and reserve.

LCDR Taylor Anzidie is a Navy Nurse Corps officer who will be impacting our profession and our Navy Nurse Corps for many years to come. Her contributions to the Navy, Navy Nurse Corps and the nursing profession perfectly exemplify the tenets of the Admiral Alene B. Duerk Award.

CAPTAIN Catherine Wilson Cox is a proud “plank owner” of the Gulf Coast Chater of the Navy Nurse Corps Association (GCNNCA) and a current member of the Washington Metro Area of the Navy Nurse Corps Association (WMANNCA). She is currently Associate Professor (with tenure) and Coordinator of the Veterans’ Bachelor of Science Nursing program at George Washington University School of Nursing in Washington, DC and Ashburn, VA.

A truly remarkable officer and leader, Catherine started her career in 1982 in the Intensive Care Unit at National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD. She served in multiple duty stations stateside and overseas as an Active Duty and Navy Reserve Officer. Following retirement, she was appointed Director of Programs at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) where she spearheaded an annual operating budget of $2.0 million dollars. She planned, implemented, and evaluated over thirty national events for faculty across the spectrum of nursing education and specialties. She is renowned for her unwavering dedication to cultivating the next generation of nurse educators.

CAPT Cox was funded four times by the TriService Nursing Research Program (TSNRP) in 2001, 2004, 2021 and 2023. Her research focused on the experiences and outcomes of military/veteran nursing students. In addition, she served as the Navy Reserve Representative to the TSRNP Advisory Council from 2008-2012. In recognition of her contributions that advanced the science of military nursing, she was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), an exceptional honor.

In recognition of her outstanding and honorable achievements, the United States Secretary of Defense appointed CAPTAIN Cox to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) and is currently serving as a member of the Well-Being and Treatment Subcommittee.

Catherine Wilson Cox continues to make significant contributions to the Navy Nurse Corps through her leadership, mentorship and driving force behind nurses and nursing education. CAPTAIN Cox is most deserving of the NNCA Meritorious Recognition Award.

Ana Stoehr has served on the WMANNCA Board as secretary and vice president. She has various military and civilian leadership experiences and extensive expertise in nursing academia. Her dedication to enhancing professional practice spans her military and civilian nursing careers.

Highlights in the Navy included staff and charge nurse responsibilities in various settings worldwide. She developed and implemented the first Same Day Surgery in the Navy Health System. She also developed and implemented a review course for the corpsman to complete the California LPN licensing exam, thus improving HMs attaining their LPN license and increasing their promotion chances. The LPN pass rate over a 3-year time frame was 90.2%.

Post-Navy, Ana was President of the Virginia League for Nursing for five years, during which membership increased by 30%. Additional selected community involvement includes membership in the Fairfax County Public School Advisory Board for Health Professions Programs, which developed new health profession programs for high schools. She is also active in the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, the Northern Virginia Veterans Association, and the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps.

Ana maintains her clinical acumen as a staff nurse in the Inova Alexandria Hospital Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, providing expert, age-appropriate care to adult and pediatric patients recovering from general and regional anesthesia, and patients.

As an Assistant Professor at George Mason University School of Nursing since 2000, Dr. Stoehr has held multiple roles as coordinator of the Graduate Nursing Administration Program, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Nursing Education, and the liaison with an Army ROTC unit and coordinator for the school's veteran state funding program. Current teaching responsibilities include didactic and clinical teaching across the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral curricula. Particularly noteworthy during and post-COVID, Ana was a vital member of the "Return to Campus Committee" which developed a plan for safe return to campus and preservation of critical clinical hours for the nursing students. Ana has a contagious sense of enthusiasm for nursing, which is reflected in her students.

Additionally, Dr. Stoehr has prepared and presented numerous podium and poster presentations on the facility, state, national, and international levels and is active in multiple professional nursing associations at the state and national levels.

Ana is a valued member of NNCA and WMANNCA, and is so deserving of the NNCA Professional Nursing Award.

Irene Weaver personifies the spirit of active volunteerism. Her wide-ranging volunteer activities focus on advancing nursing and giving back to her local and veteran communities. Irene’s selfless dedication and impactful contributions to the Navy Nurse Corps Association (NNCA), the New England Navy Nurse Corps (NENNCA) Chapter, and her community exemplify the spirit of this award.

Irene served as the President, NENNCA from 2019-2023 expanding the chapter and sustaining membership through marketing initiatives, membership drives, and capturing oral histories. She was intimately involved with organizing and coordinating two major NNCA meetings in New England including the 2021 annual meeting and 2024 reunion.

Irene promoted camaraderie within the chapter through several forums. She communicated her vision as the Editor of the Chapter Newsletter “Nurse Corps Soundings” and by leading quarterly board meetings and biannual chapter meetings. She also communicated with the Chapter members through her thank you notes, get well messages and attending family events. She preserved our Nurse Corps legacy by establishing the NENNCA Oral History Program.

Demonstrating her business savvy, Irene collaborated closely with the Treasurer/membership chairperson to establish the first chapter budget and encourage new memberships and membership renewals. She was key in protecting the chapter board from liability by setting up the chapter’s Directors and Officers insurance coverage. She also revitalized the chapter’s nursing scholarship program providing one BSN and one MSN scholarship annually.

Irene is a strong and committed healthcare advocate and member of the local community. She contributes to the nursing profession and empowers nurses with knowledge and skills as an ACLS/BLS/TNCC instructor at a local hospital and adjunct faculty for an undergraduate nursing program. In addition to the previously mentioned efforts, Irene is also active in the community as a Lector at her church and recently served as a board member for her neighborhood council.

Building and maintaining relationships in the Veterans Community, Irene expanded the DAISY award to include two sponsored sites: NMRTC Newport and the Bristol Veteran’s Home. She Implemented the Wreaths Across America program to remember and honor our fallen veterans and augment the scholarship funds. She singlehandedly raised $615.00 through 123 wreath sponsorships during the first year of participation.

Irene Weaver’s selfless commitment to the highest values and ideals of Navy Nursing, Naval Heritage, and community, as well as the advancement of healthcare education and professions, truly embodies the spirit and intent of the Luisa Power Volunteer of the Year Award.

Rebecca Nulty has magnificently served as President of the Southern California Chapter (NNCASC) for 12 years, 2012-2023. She led the effort to memorialize the Navy Nurse Corps with the installment of a professional monument dedicated to Navy Nurses, past, present, and
future, at Miramar National Cemetery. She has coordinated chapter participation at numerous funeral and memorial services for both local members (and non-member Navy Nurses) and even for out-of-town members when possible, ensuring that family members are reassured of Navy Nurse Corps presence and support.

Rebecca oversaw a significant enhancement in the NNCA oral history program, with over 150 professionally produced video tapings completed, edited, and sent to the Library of Congress. More recently remote video recordings have been accomplished via "Zoom".

Forward thinking, Rebecca’s financial acumen resulted in a solid financial foundation and development of an investment policy that would sustain a robust nursing scholarship program over time. This has resulted in an increase of total annual scholarships from $2,000 to currently $10,000.

Rebecca has consistently ensured a pro-active approach to NNCA/NNCASC membership recruitment and renewal. She led a move to social media with the establishment of a website and a Facebook page, providing two-way communication with interested parties. She
supported the continued quarterly publishing of the best-in-class "Oakleaf" newsletter, contributing articles with each edition. She hosted an array of Veterans programs to present at quarterly meetings to include the Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego Chapter of Honor Flight, and Women Warriors Foundation, to name a few. She also ensured financial support of such organizations through chapter donations, "pass the hat" individual donations, and special Holiday donations. Typically, annual donations to such groups total approximately $5,000.

Rebecca Nulty’s selfless commitment, steadfast leadership, and unswerving reliability as President of NNCASC over the past 12 years embodies the spirit and intent of the Mary G. Stewart Leadership Award.

Carol O’Byrne, long-time member of MWNNCA, is the archetype of a dedicated and supremely active member of NNCA. She is the consummate team player, organizer and first-to-volunteer. Highlights from her contributions include:
She selflessly served as Secretary, President and Board of Directors member throughout her affiliation with her chapter. In fact, she is a charter member of MWNNCA and was instrumental in the development of the organization and helps sustain and nurture chapter activities.

Carol is incredibly involved with fellow members who she regularly visits in hospitals and nursing homes. She actively encourages her colleagues to join her when attending military funerals and specifically leads the Nightengale Tribute for fallen nurses with a presentation of
the solitary rose. Another extraordinary example of her tireless contributions includes the presentation of a Letter of Appreciation to a MWNNCA member who is in Hospice Care in a Skilled Nursing Facility.

Especially active in Veteran’s activities, Carol attends Veteran’s Day events in neighboring high schools and local community organizations. She unswervingly participates in Wreaths Across America at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Carol, unequivocally, gives her time and support to family and friends. Not too long ago, she stayed overnight with a friend who had hip surgery to provide assistance with activities of daily living. She also picked up mail and ran errands for another friend. A lover of dogs, she recently provided flowers and friendship when a friend tragically lost their dog. She tirelessly gives that one precious gift – time – to all those who need it.

Every NNCA Chapter has that one member who is the backbone of the group. For MWNNCA, that backbone is Carol O’Byrne who so richly is deserving of this award.

M. Arlene Southerland has been the “keystone” volunteer of the Palmetto Chapter since becoming a member in 1998. She assisted with a multitude of projects, not the least of which was that year's NNCA reunion in Charleston. Within four years she was elected PCNNCA Vice President, subsequently serving two consecutive terms as President (2002-2003). At the completion of her leadership role, she assumed the duties as Treasurer, where she remains to this day. Arlene provides measured counsel to maintain PCNNCA’s financial position, as well as to ensure that the PCNNCA funds are used wisely. For example, she advised members to vote on an annual charitable veteran contribution focused on local veteran organizations with low overhead costs. During a very challenging time for PCNNCA members, Arlene assisted our leaders and members to transition from an all-paper membership renewal process with check submission to a combined online and paper renewal. Her PCNNCA volunteer efforts are not solely dedicated to Treasurer responsibilities. Arlene also participated in the Charleston Veterans Day parade every year since 2015.

Arlene’s devotion to the NNCA spans the local and the national level. She was voted to a director position in 2006 and served as the NNCA Secretary from 2007 – 2009. She has also served actively on the NNCA Membership Committee. Arlene has been assisting the PCNNCA team in the annual counting of ballots for the NNCA Board of Director election for the last decade.

Arlene is very active in her community and served in several key positions over the years to include shift leader/Department Chair for the local Women’s Professional Tennis Tournament; President of both the Wild Dunes Tennis Association, and Charleston Area Ladies Golf Association. She is the Captain of the Stella Maris Catholic Church St. Cecelia Guild Bell Tower. She served as President and a board member on her homeowner’s association for 13 years and has logged over 2500 volunteer hours at East Cooper Medical Center’s Same-Day Surgery Unit. Arlene founded the Wild Dunes Yacht Club, serving in leadership, and mentoring roles, as well as being selected Commodore on three occasions.

Arlene is admired for her leadership, commitment, work ethic, and fiscal responsibility and is richly deserving of the 2024 NNCA Service Award for her significant and continuing contributions to the NNCA at all levels of the organization.