Nursing Faculty Celebrating Honors

Presented annually by the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, the Cameos of Caring awards recognize outstanding nurses in a range of areas, including education, research, administration and more from a variety of health systems, hospitals and nursing schools.

Dr. Mary Ellen Glasgow, dean and professor of nursing at Duquesne, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nov. 9 award gala, in honor of her ongoing contributions to the nursing field. Her leadership and dedication have significantly shaped the School of Nursing since she first joined as dean in 2012, and she has inspired countless students and colleagues in their pursuit of bigger goals.

Nursing Professor Dr. Alison Colbert received the Research & Scholarship Award as well as the 2024 NIH National Institute of Nursing Research Director’s Award. A true teacher-scholar, she was recently appointed to be strategic advisor to the director of the National Institute of Nursing Research, which leads nursing research to solve pressing health challenges, inform practice and policy-optimizing health and advance health equity into the future. 

Dr. Frank Kosnosky was celebrated with the Nurse Educator Award, highlighting his exceptional contributions to nursing education. His innovative teaching methods and commitment to a horizon-expanding education and student success have made a lasting impact on the nursing community.

In addition to the Cameos of Caring awards, Associate Nursing Professor Dr. Melanie Turk was recognized with the Excellence in Nursing Award-Researcher by Pittsburgh Magazine. These annual awards celebrate outstanding nurses in a variety of categories, including academics, clinician, advanced practitioner and emerging leader, among others.

Turk’s dedication to the health of older adults led her to analyze the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP). Her preliminary analysis identified several barriers to MDPP enrollment, which she presented at the International Diabetes Federation World Diabetes Congress in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2022. Since then, Turk's work has secured NIH funding for an implementation science study to explore factors influencing the use of the MDPP. Her findings aim to inform interventions to expand the program and influence future CMS rulemaking. Through Turk’s interdisciplinary efforts, the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) is now being offered virtually to underserved communities in Pittsburgh, with significant participation from Black individuals and notable weight loss outcomes.

Congratulations to these award-winning faculty! Their curiosity and tenacity drive their research and creativity transforms classrooms and learning environments into exciting places for our nursing students.