Jeanne Jackson Venella, BSN ’82 awarded 2009 Medallion for Excellence in Clinical Practice

Villanova, PA, April 18, 2009 — Jeanne Jackson Venella, BSN ’82 was awarded the 2009 College of Nursing Medallion for Excellence in Clinical Practice at the 20th Annual Mass and Alumni Awards Ceremony April 18th in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church. The Medallion is the College’s highest award, bestowed for distinguished achievement. In the photo, she is joined by Dean Fitzpatrick and University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A.

Her citation follows:
Since its founding in 1953, the College of Nursing has enjoyed a strong and enduring relationship with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia--consistently ranked the #1 pediatric hospital in the country. It is no accident that Jeanne Jackson Venella is such a respected and valuable member of its staff. She helps to put it on the map every day

Jeanne has been a clinician caring for children and their families since beginning her nursing career at Children’s Hospital in 1982 following her graduation from Villanova. As an expert clinician in the emergency department, she cares for children in their most tentative moments of illness and injury. Jeanne, a nurse with over 25 years of experience, is not only responsible for direct patient care, but also precepts and educates a staff of 135, including maintaining their expertise in disaster preparedness and bio-terrorism as part of the hospital’s strategic planning. She is often the driving force behind policy development that advances the care of fragile and vulnerable children to whom she has committed her professional life.

It is an understatement to say the emergency department at Children’s Hospital is a busy place. It serves a diverse urban patient population, providing care for nearly 78,000 emergency visits per year. Although Jeanne does not care for every child, her staff mentorship and the policies she has influenced do affect each child. The thousands of children Jeanne touches are all special to her. In 2006, Jeanne was in there in the emergency department when the young Amish girls, the victims of the Nickel Mines massacre, were brought in. Reflecting on the care she delivered that day and her interactions with the patients and their families, Jeanne has been able to present the story of that chilling experience to her colleagues and has explored the ethics and challenges to the human spirit woven through it. She has been cited for her strength of character, clinical expertise and team support she provided that day. This is just one dramatic story but one that captures the demands of a nurse clinician in a pediatric emergency unit and Jeanne’s ability to respond at the highest level of performance every day.

Jeanne’s reach does not stop at the emergency department doors. She shares her knowledge though her national consulting work to strengthen and raise the quality of emergency departments around the country. This is the nurse you want taking care of your child.

For her devotion to Villanova’s mission of service and scholarly nursing practice and for her leadership among the many exemplary Villanova nurses who serve The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the College of Nursing is privileged to award Jeanne Jackson Venella the 2009 Medallion for Excellence in Clinical Practice.