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Three distinguished alumnae honored by College of Nursing
Villanova, PA,
April 15, 2008 —
Villanova University College of Nursing honored three distinguished alumnae with its highest award,
the College of Nursing Medallion. The awards were presented by Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor M.
Louise Fitzpatrick Ed.D., R.N., FAAN at the 19th Annual Mass and Alumni Awards Ceremony on April 5 held
in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the University campus. The event is co-sponsored by the College
and its Nursing Alumni Society.
“On behalf of everyone here at Villanova, thank you for taking the heart of Villanova out to so many
people,” said Rev. Peter M.Donohue, O.S.A., University president and presider at the 19thAnnual Mass
and Alumni Awards Ceremony as he addressed themedallion recipients. Here he joins M. Louise Fitzpatrick,
Ed.D.,R.N., FAAN, Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor (right) andmedallion recipients (from left)
Cynthia Blank-Reid, B.S.N. ’83,Judith D. Hamilton, B.S.N. ’72, M.S.N. ’82 and Claire A. Baldwin,
M.S.N. ’86.
Claire A. Baldwin, M.S.N. ‘86
Distinguished Achievement in Nursing and Healthcare Administration
The philosophy of community care is demonstrated in the attitude and practice of
Claire Baldwin. Baldwin earned her master’s degree in nursing education at
Villanova in 1986. For the last eight years, she has served in one of the most
demanding positions in any health care facility: vice president for Patient Care
Services. In this position at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pa., part of the
Main Line Health System, she is responsible for the administrative and
managerial functions within the Emergency Department, all nursing services
throughout the entire hospital, as well as the administration of the Pharmacy
and Cardiac Catheterization Lab.
Baldwin’s ability to manage complex departments and diverse groups
of people developed early in her career as a staff nurse, and clinical
instructor in Massachusetts and New York. Her career at Bryn Mawr Hospital
began in 1984 and has progressed over nearly 25 years of service at that
institution. In her current role, both the cost and quality of patient care
depend on Baldwin’s skill, her understanding of patient needs, medical
priorities and the importance of safe care delivered in a respectful environment
of high quality and reasonable cost. Baldwin has demonstrated over and over her
acumen as an administrator and her sensitivity and clinical knowledge as a nurse
which informs important administrative decisions. She was also one of the key
people at Bryn Mawr when Main Line Health System sought and was granted several
years ago the prestigious Magnet Status by the American Nurses Credentialing
Center recognizing the quality of nursing practice there.
Baldwin has been a positive influence in the growth and development
of the Main Line Health System and its leadership. Despite her numerous
administrative responsibilities and the demands on her time, Baldwin is a
frequent visitor to patient units and to the patients themselves. She is the
ambassador of Bryn Mawr Hospital to its friends and neighbors who look to it for
care and healing. She is the trusted colleague of the physicians who practice
there and who depend on and respect her opinion. Among her colleague nurses, she
is a leader who understands their challenges and their need to transition in
their practice. She encourages their continuing education and is their strong
voice and advocate.
Baldwin acknowledges that her hospital affords her the opportunity
to practice nursing every day. She recalled her days at Villanova, “…Most of all
I remember the people. They make it what it is.” Saying her purpose is to serve
others, she expressed gratitude to Villanova for giving her the skills, passion
and spirit that help her meet her goals.
Cynthia Blank-Reid, B.S.N. ‘83
Clinical Excellence in Nursing
Cynthia Blank-Reid embodies the adage “high tech, high touch.” As the trauma clinical nurse specialist
at Temple University Hospital, she practices in a complex critical care environment yet never forgets
about the people who surround her. Blank-Reid brings clinical expertise, passion for nursing and love
of patient care to the many nurses, physicians and caregivers who comprise the Temple Trauma Team. She
is described as being relentless in the pursuit of excellence in patient care.
Blank-Reid earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Villanova in 1983. For over three
years she has been in her current position at Temple which builds on her long
career in emergency and trauma nursing. She is responsible for developing,
implementing and coordinating the institution’s trauma education programs for
other hospitals as well as for physicians, nurses and allied health personnel on
staff. Blank-Reid extends the reach of trauma education even more broadly. She
is the past president of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses and has
held leadership positions on numerous professional boards. She has presented at
over 200 local, national and international conferences and authored numerous
publications in professional journals.
Blank-Reid reflects the College’s mission of service and scholarly nursing practice. She seeks to work
for those organizations with little in terms of resources. Throughout her career, she says, she has
learned that in taking care of people who have few material possessions “there is much to be done with
their souls and spirits…everyone is entitled to respect and dignity.”
Judith D. Hamilton, B.S.N. ’72, M.S.N. ‘82
Service to the Community and the College of Nursing
The College of Nursing recognized an alumna of both its bachelor’s and master’s
programs for her ongoing contributions to volunteer efforts over and above her
daily work as a family nurse practitioner with Virtua Family Health Care in
Camden, N.J. With competence and quiet resolve, Judy Hamilton demonstrates her
commitment to her alma mater’s mission and the people who benefit from her
clinical expertise. Without fail, every Tuesday evening, she can be found in
South Philadelphia volunteering her professional skills as a family nurse
practitioner at Unity Clinic. Unity Clinic is located at the site of the former
St. Agnes Hospital. The clinic was developed in collaboration with the College,
as one of the activities of the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the
Poor. It provides free healthcare services to adults, the majority of whom are
members of the immigrant Indonesian community.
The faculty and graduate nurse practitioner students of the College are the primary care providers at the
clinic. When it opened, a call went out from the College inviting our nursing alumni who are nurse
practitioners to volunteer their time and talent. Hamilton not only responded but has maintained an
almost unbroken record of volunteer service. With expertise, and in her quiet, confident manner,
Hamilton serves faithfully and cares for her patients with respect, kindness and seriousness of purpose.
She is making a difference in the lives of her patients with the goal of improving their health and
quality of life.
Throughout her 35 years in nursing, Hamilton has used her education and clinical skills for the benefit
of people from the inner cities of Camden and Philadelphia. She cited the College as providing her with a
strong education and equally strong set of values. An exemplar of volunteerism, Hamilton says, “I do my
volunteer work…to help others...thanks is never expected.”
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