The International Family Nursing Association (IFNA) began an exciting new initiative of IFNA Awards in 2015 to recognize and celebrate IFNA members who are providing outstanding contributions to transform health for families worldwide and advance the nursing of families.  20 Nominations from 8 countries were received. A special thanks to all those who participated in the nomination process and congratulations to all of the nominees.

IFNA is pleased to announce the 2015 IFNA Award recipients and their nominators who will be recognized during the IFNA Business Meeting at the 12th International Family Nursing Conference in Odense, Denmark in August 2015:

Excellence in Family Nursing Award

Eva Benzein, Sweden; nominated by Britt-Inger Saveman, Sweden

Kathleen Knafl, USA; nominated by Kit Chesla, USA

Nancy Moules, Canada; nominated by Lorraine Wright, Canada

Innovative Contribution to Family Nursing Award

Cristina Garcia-Vivar, Spain; nominated by Barbara Voltelen, Denmark

Naohiro Hohashi, Japan; nominated by Kazuko Ishigaki, Japan

Birte Østergaard, Denmark; nominated by Hanne Konradsen, Denmark

Distinguished Partner in Family Health Care Award

Glen and Becky Taylor, USA; nominated by Sandra Eggenberger, USA

 Rising Star in Family Nursing Award

Carina Persson, Sweden; nominated by Britt-Inger Saveman, Sweden

 Read more about each IFNA 2015 Award Recipient.

Dr. Sandra K. Eggenberger, Director of the Glen Taylor Nursing Institute for Family and Society, and Professor, School of Nursing, Minnesota State University, Mankato, USA,  is the 2015 Recipient of the Senior Nurse Scientist Award of Midwest Nursing Research Society’s (MNRS) Family Health Section. The purpose of the award is to recognize a nurse researcher with an established record of research in family health nursing. Criteria for this award include: an established program of research that has enhanced the science and/or practice of family health nursing; a publication record that reflects ongoing contribution to the science and/or practice of Family Health Nursing; presentations at the regional, national and international level; and evidence of mentoring students and/or junior investigators in scholarship development.

Dr. Eggenberger’s program research has focused on “Understanding the Family Illness Experience to Advance Family Nursing Practice”. She has conducted individual research focused on families during a critical illness and knowledge translation of family theory to practice and has led team research addressing chronic illness experiences and family nursing simulation research. As the Director of the Glen Taylor Nursing Institute, she encouraged the revision of all levels of nursing curricula at Minnesota State University, Mankato to focus on family nursing science that aims to transform practice. She collaborates with colleagues to launch research, education, and practice initiatives focused on the health of families and society. For more information contact IFNA member, Sandra Eggenberger: [email protected]

Portugal joined several European governments in signing the Munich Declaration of 2000 with a commitment to address the needs of families in community, namely through the role of Family Health Nursing. Portugal has actively participated in the World Health Organization (WHO) Family Health Nursing initiative.

Nurses in Portugal were already strong supporters of family care in community settings with the creation of new units such as the Family Health Unit, where nurses offered a holistic approach to the care of families and individuals. Changes in the education of all nurses in Higher Education Institutions at the 3 cycles of Bologna Process (BSc, MSc and PhD), lead to the reorientation of the discipline of nursing in Portugal with family nursing gaining greater visibility. Courses with a focus in family nursing at the undergraduate and post graduate levels have grown exponentially and family issues have been privileged as a research topic in doctoral theses.

Since 2004, the Family Nursing Research Group (Núcleo de Investigação de Enfermagem de Família) of Escola Superior de Enfermagem do Porto, has been a driving force in advancing family nursing with the dissemination of research studies through conferences and publications, as well as developing international collaborative partnerships in both family nursing research and education.  For more information contact IFNA member, Maria do Céu Barbieri Figueiredo: [email protected]