2003 News

Amelia Mangay-Maglacas receives the 2002 CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award

PHILADELPHIA, PA — FEBRUARY 21, 2003 — The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) has awarded the 2002 CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award to Amelia Mangay-Maglacas, DrPH, RN, FRCN (U.K.), ScD (Hon.), a Consultant in International Health and Nursing; Adjunct Professor at the Department of Public Health, Mental Health and Administrative Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago; and Visiting Professor, University of Asia and the Pacific, Pasig City, Philippines.

The CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award was established to recognize organizations or individuals who have demonstrated outstanding international, professional and personal achievement who serve as a model for success in the global health care community. The award, which is bestowed annually, 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.

This year’s symposium and tribute dinner, which honored Dr. Maglacas, was held December 17, 2002, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia. The symposium, Global Leadership in Health Development: An Agenda for the Future, acknowledged Dr. Maglacas' advocacy and dedication to vital nursing and health development programs throughout the world, especially her role in conceptualizing, designing and facilitating the establishment of a "Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centers for Nursing/Midwifery Development," which today has grown to be a crucial information network within and between countries where collaborating centers exist.

Speakers at the symposium were designated as Adele Herwitz Distinguished Scholars and received a commemorative plaque. CGFNS created the Adele Herwitz Distinguished Scholars distinction in honor of CGFNS’s founding Executive Director. This year’s speakers and Adele Herwitz Distinguished Scholars were: Ginette Lemire Rodger, PhD, RN, Chief of Nursing, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa University Heart Institute, Rehabilitation Center, and President, Lemire Rodger & Associates; Halfdan T. Mahler, MD, Director-General Emeritus, World Health Organization; and Gloria R. Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN, Former Vice President for Programs-Health, W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Dr. Rodger began the symposium with a presentation on new leadership challenges for nursing in global health development. Following Dr. Rodger’s speech, Dr. Mahler spoke about the relationship between health and politics, and how local and global political action for health requires constant moral and intellectual stimulation. Dr. Smith addressed the nursing profession’s pivotal role in the development of primary health care programs worldwide, and Dr. Maglacas concluded the symposium with reflections on her professional journey.

Following the symposium, the evening kicked off with a reception, featuring the music of the renowned Richard Rome Trio and a chance to meet the award recipient. Then, CGFNS hosted a tribute dinner toasting Dr. Maglacas. Tribute speakers such as: Syringa Marshall Burnett, President of the Jamaican Senate and last year’s award recipient; Rita Carty, representing WHO Collaborating Centers; Jo Eleanor Elliott, a former CGFNS Board of Trustees member and Chief of the Division of Nursing, DHHS; Constance Hollaran, former Executive Director of the International Council of Nurses; Afaf Meleis, Dean of the School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania; and Suny Lipat, President of the Philippine Nurses Association of America, honored the award recipient. Following the presentation of the 2002 CGFNS International Distinguished Leadership Award was a musical salute by Robbie Gregg of the Barry Warren Orchestra to conclude the evening.