Tara Cortes, PhD, RN, FAAN, Executive Director, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, NYU College of Nursing, will receive the Villanova University College of Nursing Medallion for Distinguished Contributions to the Profession on Saturday, April 9 at the College-sponsored and Nursing Alumni Association-sponsored Annual Mass and Alumni Awards Ceremony.

NYUCN's Cortes to Receive Villanova College of Nursing Medallion
Tara Cortes, PhD, RN, FAAN, Executive Director, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, NYU College of Nursing

Villanova College of Nursing Medallion is Highest Award for Distinguished Achievement in Field of Nursing

Tara Cortes, PhD, RN, FAAN, Executive Director, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, NYU College of Nursing, will receive the Villanova University College of Nursing Medallion for Distinguished Contributions to the Profession on Saturday, April 9 at the College-sponsored and Nursing Alumni Association-sponsored Annual Mass and Alumni Awards Ceremony.

The Villanova College of Nursing Medallion for Distinguished Contributions to the Profession award is the highest honor bestowed by the College for distinguished achievement. It is awarded to an alumnus who demonstrates outstanding contributions to the field of nursing and is an expert in the field. Criteria for the award also includes serving to improve and advance patient care in the nursing profession; being involved in nursing and health affairs through election and/or appointment to offices, commissions and/or committees that shape the direction of the profession.

“Dr. Cortes’ distinguished career in executive leadership, nursing education, research and practice makes this award particularly fitting,” says Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean of NYU College of Nursing. “She has enhanced some of the respected existing programs in the Institute and developed new and innovative initiatives. She is a major leader in the field of nursing and we are proud that she is being recognized with the Medallion award.”

The consistent theme across Dr. Cortes’ work is the essential role of advanced practice nurses improving the quality of life in specific patient populations and the interdisciplinary nature of health care. She is a leader in developing, evaluating and implementing advanced nursing practice and collaborative practice. Dr. Cortes’ work has contributed to advancing interdisciplinary models across the continuum of care to reduce disparities in access to care and to assure healthy aging in place. She has helped change policy and practice in geriatric care and in low-vision and blindness care by developing roles for advanced practice nurses to provide care to those with poor access to resources due to lack of knowledge or functional disabilities.

Dr. Cortes is a globally recognized leader advocating for government decision makers to recognize and support eye disease as a health priority, and facilitate access to treatments and low vision rehabilitation worldwide. She served on the Boards of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and the AMD Alliance International, and was appointed by the New York State Governor to the Executive Board of the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.

New York University College of Nursing
NYU College of Nursing is a global leader in nursing education, research, and practice. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Master of Arts and Post-Master’s Certificate Programs; a Doctor of Philosophy in Research Theory and Development, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.  For more information, visit www.nyu.edu/nursing

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