Dr. Lyn DeSilets receives distinguished alumna award

Villanova, PA, May 18, 2009 — Lynore DeSilets, Ed.D., R.N.-BC received the Distinguished Alumna Award from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University where she received her bachelor’s degree. They honored her for her outstanding achievement and leadership over 30 years in continuing education for nurses. Dr. DeSilets is assistant professor and assistant dean and director of the Continuing Education (CE) in Nursing and Health Care Program for the Villanova University College of Nursing. She received her award on May 16 in Cleveland during the School of Nursing’s 2009 Alumni Celebration weekend.

Dr. DeSilets is a groundbreaker in the field, focusing on improving patient care through CE forums. Her accomplishments have earned her a place as a continuing “pioneer” among those notable in this facet of professional nursing. Additionally, she has taken on the role of repository of legacy knowledge related to the history of CE in nursing. She is one of the few certified academic leaders in the discipline.

Throughout the nursing community nationally and especially within the community of professional development, Dr. DeSilets is well-known, respected and viewed as one of a few major leaders and key innovators who have developed this vital area of nursing education which directly impacts practice and patient care delivery. She shares her knowledge with a global reach, speaking to audiences or consulting in such places as Italy, Russia and Singapore. She is assistant editor for The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, a member of the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses, and has extensive involvement in the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She is a member of the Commission on Accreditation, is one of the longest standing ANCC appraisers and generously mentors numerous new appraisers. It is her expertise that is actively sought for taskforces such as those that revised the ANCC accreditation manual and developed the criteria for the prestigious “Premier” designation for exemplary CE providers.