NPIAP Presents Annual Awards for Excellence at their 35th Annual Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) March 24, 2023

NPIAP Presents Annual Awards for Excellence at their 35^th Annual Meeting

San Diego – At their 35^th Annual Meeting, NPIAP presented awards to members for their professional contributions to the prevention and management of pressure injuries. Seven outstanding leaders were recognized.

The S3I Outstanding Service Award was presented to Rosalyn “Roz” S. Jordan, RN, BSN, MSC, CWOCN, WCC. Presented to the person or persons who have made significant contributions to pressure injury prevention related to support surfaces, Roz Jordan demonstrated teamwork in the development of uniform terminology, and validated test methodologies, and reporting standards.  Additionally, significant contributions have been made in the creation of Technical Documents, Standards Documents, White Papers, Position Statements, and/or manuscript publications.

Ms. Jordan’s nomination noted that “Through her passion to better define support surfaces, Roz was one of the founding members of the Support Surface Standards Initiative and has remained a driving force for over 20 years to develop support surface standards to assist clinicians in matching patient needs to support surfaces…Roz's contributions to S3I are the foundation for how it has become internationally known today as not only the United States Standards Body for Support Surfaces but also a respected leader internationally within the International Standards Organization (ISO) for Support Surfaces.”

The Roberta S. Abruzzese Award was presented to Katherine “Katie” Brooks, AGFCNP, DN. Named for Dr. Roberta S. Abruzzese, this award recognizes a student with interest and promise in the field of pressure injury research, treatment and prevention or education. 

In nominating Katie, her Ph.D. mentor wrote, “Katie has already begun to make an impact in the world of pressure injury research, including her most recent publication working with my team on a nursing home severity index to improve pressure injury prediction. This work led to her dissertation, which is focused on reducing disparities in older adults by improving pressure injury risk prediction for all nursing home residents.”

The Janet Cuddigan Research Award was presented to Chitang Joshi, MD. The award recognizes a person or persons who have made significant contributions to the prevention and/or treatment of pressure injuries through the generation and dissemination of new research that will significantly impact the cornerstones of future clinical practice guidelines.

Dr. Joshi’s nomination letter noted, “Over the past eight years he has been associated with over 40 Publications with his most recent work around PI treatment and prevention… Most notably he has been part of teams that have looked at alternatives to traditional care options, to allow for more efficient and effective measures to both treat and prevent PI's.”

The Kosiak Award was presented to Amit Gefen, Ph.D. Presented to a person or persons who have made significant contributions to the prevention and/or treatment of pressure injuries through their leadership in the fields of research, education and/or patient care, this award is named in honor of Dr. Michael Kosiak for his classic, original contributions on the etiology of pressure ulcers.

Dr. Gefen’s nomination letter noted, “Among Dr. Gefen’s numerous contributions to pressure injury prevention and treatment, his work has revealed and confirmed that pressure injuries are not only the result of ischemia over the course of hours but can result from direct damage to cells caused by deformation beyond their functional limits and that this damage can occur in a relatively short timeframe on the order of minutes. This realization has and will continue to have profound impact on pressure injury prevention strategies.”

The Thomas Steward Founder’s Award was presented to William Padula, Ph.D., MS. Presented a person or persons who have made significant contributions to the field of pressure injury prevention and treatment, particularly relating to public policy, this prestigious award reflects NPIAP’s ongoing commitment to positively impact public policy to improve the field of pressure ulcer prevention, treatment, education and patient care.

Bill’s nomination noted: “Bill has a remarkable ability to see issues in pressure injury payment and nonpayment and has structured much of his research in the area of pressure injury cost. His recent work moved the estimate of the cost of pressure injury to 27 billion dollars. Bill has also had congressman and lobbyist speak at our meetings.”

The NPIAP President’s Recognition Award was presented to Ann Marie Nie, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CWOCN. The NPIAP President’s Recognition Award was created in 2013 and is presented to an individual who has made special contributions to NPIAP and to the field of pressure ulcer prevention and treatment.

Over the past year, Anne Marie helped determine which LMS was appropriate for NPIAP through her leadership in the work group. She also carefully reviewed the LMS structure to create an appropriate design for the final product.

The NPIAP JoAnn Maklebust Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Elizabeth A. Ayello, PhD, MS, BSN, ETN, RN, CWON, MAPWCA, FAAN. Named in honor and in memory of NPIAP Alumna JoAnn Maklebust, this award is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to the NPIAP and to preventing and treating pressure injuries.

Nominator Barbara Delmore noted, “Throughout the U.S. and internationally, she is an outstanding leader regarding skin and wounds, especially pressure injuries… Dr. Ayello has a litany of significant contributions as she is an internationally known editor, prolific author, researcher, and educator. Dr. Ayello has over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles, and is co-author/co-editor of two wound care books, including the award-winning book, Wound Care Essentials Practice Principles… She has undoubtedly made an impressionable mark within the world of skin and wound care touching many through her unwavering and professional commitment.”

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The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) is an independent not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to the prevention and management of pressure injuries. Formed in 1986, the NPIAP Board of Directors is composed of leading experts from different health care disciplines— all of whom share a commitment to the prevention and management of pressure injuries. The NPIAP serves as a resource to health care professionals, government, the public, and health care agencies; and welcomes and encourages the participation of those interested in pressure injury issues through utilization of NPIAP educational materials, participation at national conferences, and support of efforts in public policy, education and research.

The NPIAP, assisted by multiple corporations and organizations, has become an internationally recognized entity. The collaboration of professionals, corporations, and governmental agencies offers a unique model for addressing major health care issues. The European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and the Japanese Society of Pressure Ulcers have adapted the NPIAP model in establishing their organizations.