Lifetime Achievement Award

With a career spanning over six decades, Cathy has been a tireless advocate for nursing, dedicating her life to advancing nursing practice, healthcare policy, and education. She served as Chief Nurse Executive at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale for nearly 30 years and held numerous leadership positions, including President of the Illinois Nurses Association (INA), First Vice President of the Illinois Nurses Foundation, and Chair of the Assembly on Health Policy.

Cathy has also been a key player in policy development and nursing workforce issues, serving on critical task forces and representing the INA in several forums, including the Illinois Arthritis Partnership and the Magnet Council. As a member of the Illinois Hospital Licensing Board from 2006 to 2020, she was a strong voice for the nursing profession in setting healthcare standards. Cathy’s contributions extend to Parish Nursing at St. Joseph, Marion, IL, and she has received multiple accolades, including the Anne Zimmerman Honorary Member Award.

Through her leadership, advocacy, and mentorship, Cathy has left an indelible mark on the nursing profession, both in Illinois and nationally. Her dedication to improving healthcare access and workforce standards makes her a fitting candidate for this prestigious award.

Dr. Maureen Sheckleton has devoted her career to shaping the healthcare landscape in Illinois, demonstrating a deep commitment to nursing leadership and education. Her leadership extends across numerous prestigious nursing organizations. Her service in elected and appointed positions within the American Nurses Association (ANA), Illinois Nurses Association (INA), American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and the Illinois Nurses Foundation. Through these organizations, she played pivotal roles in shaping nursing policy, practice, and philanthropy. Dr. Maureen Sheckleton’s influence on nursing education, practice, and policy has left an indelible mark on the profession. Her courage, evidence-based advocacy, and mentorship have empowered countless nurses to provide safe and quality care. Her legacy is not only in her impressive list of achievements but also in the thriving careers of those she has guided and inspired. She has served the Illinois Nurses Foundation for 22 years. She has been a historian, mentor, educator, and friend to many.

Joan Bundley’s contributions to nursing have occurred over a long, productive, and distinguished career as both a nurse and a parliamentarian. She is widely recognized for her expertise and dedication to both. She has supported many initiatives that advanced the scope and practice of nursing through both direct and indirect advocacy. She mentored many nurses who drew on her expertise about the issues and the processes and became leaders in their own right. She has helped so many nurses be “heard.”