2001 News

The Honorable Syringa Marshall Burnett receives the 2001 CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award

PHILADELPHIA, PA — SEPTEMBER 10, 2001 — The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2001 CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award: The Honorable Syringa Marshall Burnett, CD, MA, BAScN, PHN, HNS, RM, RGN, President of the Senate, Jamaica, West Indies, and Chair, Department of Advance Nursing Education, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona.

Dr. Burnett embodies the spirit of the CGFNS award, which recognizes and honors outstanding international, professional and personal achievement in an individual who serves as a model of success. The award consists of a commemorative plaque, a sponsored symposium in the leadership area of the recipient and a reception and tribute dinner the evening of the symposium.

The title of the 2001 symposium, "Globalization: International Health Policy and Nursing," acknowledges Dr. Burnett’s more than 30 years in nursing education and research. It also recognizes her superior leadership in the Jamaican Senate where she has served as President since 1995.

The symposium features eminent speakers who will provide unique insights and perspectives on international health care policy and its impact on the profession of nursing. Spearheading the symposium will be Gloria R. Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN, Vice President for Programs-Health, W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Dr. Smith will focus on international health policy, globalization of the professions and nursing challenges in a global community. Following Dr. Smith will be Marla E. Salmon, ScD, RN, FAAN, Dean and Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Professor, Rollins School of Public Health, and Director, Lillian Carter Center for International Nursing, Emory University. Dr. Salmon will address critical issues in global health. Speakers are designated Adele Herwitz Distinguished Scholars, in honor of CGFNS’s founding Executive Director. Concluding the symposium will be Award recipient Dr. Burnett with a presentation on nursing in the Caribbean.

CGFNS is an immigration-neutral, nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia, PA, USA, and is an internationally recognized authority on education, registration and licensure of nurses and health care professionals worldwide. CGFNS’s mission is to provide responsible leadership in the delivery of relevant services to the global nursing and health care community. The organization was founded in 1977 through a collaborative effort by representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor; Department of Health, Education and Welfare (now the Department of Health and Human Services); the Immigration and Naturalization Service; and representation from nursing organizations, including the American Nurses Association and the National League for Nursing.

For additional information about CGFNS and its services, contact: Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651 USA; telephone: (215) 349-8767; fax: (215) 349-0026.