Nursing alumna honored with University Alumni Association Award

Villanova, PA, October 9, 2009 — Nursing leadership was celebrated last night—among leaders from all walks of life—as Rear Admiral Christine M. Bruzek-Kohler ’74 BSN received the Villanova University Alumni Association’s (VUAA) St. Thomas of Villanova Alumni Medal. She is Commander, Navy Medicine West and Naval Medical Center San Diego and is the immediate past-Director of the United States Navy Nurse Corps. As such, she was responsible for over 4300 active duty and reserve Navy nurses at home and overseas in operational, humanitarian and conventional settings. She assumed her new command in May.

The Saint Thomas of Villanova Alumni Medal is the highest honor bestowed by the VUAA. It is awarded to alumni who best symbolize the spirit and legacy of Thomas; individuals who have achieved a level of distinction within their chosen fields or professions and who have brought extraordinary benefit to the University and to their communities. In his remarks, University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue OSA noted the professionalism and dignity with which Admiral Bruzek-Kohler leads. She cited Villanova as giving her her passion in life and identified the life lessons learned here as contributing “to what I do.” In a gracious, humble and inspiring speech, she explained her “privilege of caring for a selfless force” and noted that those warriors “inspire me to continue to provide them with the best healthcare.”

Admiral Bruzek-Kohler offered that “Leaders must participate in what they are asking people to do” and show they are “committed to the vision.” She emphasized the importance of leading ethically and to provide students with the compass needed to “ethically navigate through life.” “The quality of the University should be measured not by the quality of the student it brings in but by the quality of the student it turns out,” she believes.

A native of Camden, N.J., Admiral Bruzek-Kohler, earned a Master of Education from Providence College, and a Master of Arts and Doctor of Education from George Washington University. Additionally, she is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.