Kathleen A. Dracup Distinguished Lecture and Exemplary Career in Mentoring Award

Sponsored by the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing (CVSN)

Award submission for Scientific Sessions will reopen in spring 2025.

The Kathleen A. Dracup Distinguished Lecture and Exemplary Career in Mentoring Award was established by the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing to recognize Dr. Kathleen Dracup as a Pillar of Excellence for exceptional and lifelong contributions to cardiovascular nursing, and CVSN’s commitment to fostering the development of the next generation of scientists. Dr. Dracup's mentorship, dedication to and development of early-career cardiovascular nurse scientists has set in motion an incredible acceleration in the development in the cardiovascular nursing science and new knowledge to improve the care of patients with cardiovascular disease and their families.

The Dracup Distinguished Lecture is presented annually at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions. Honorees are selected by the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Early Career Committee.

Purpose of the Award

This award will highlight the importance of early-career mentoring in cardiovascular and stroke nursing to the CVSN. This award honors a senior member of the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing who is well-known for their gifts and generosity in mentoring early-career scientists.

Award Recipients

2024 Anna Strömberg, RN, PhD, FAHA, FAAN, FESC
2023 Cheryl R. Dennison Himmelfarb, PhD, RN, ANP, FAHA
2022 Bunny J. Pozehl, PhD, APRN-NP, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN
2021 Christopher S. Lee, PhD, RN, FAHA
2020 Sandra B. Dunbar, RN, PhD, FAAN, FAHA, FPCNA
2019 Marjorie Funk, PhD, RN, FAHA
2018 Karen Huss, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAHA
2017 Susan J. Pressler, PHD, RN, FAHA
2016 Debra Moser, PhD, MN
2015 Barbara J Riegel, PhD, RN, FAHA
2014 Barbara J. Drew, RN, PhD, FAHA
2013 Kathleen A. Dracup, RN, FNP, PHD, FAHA

Eligibility Criteria

AHA member for a minimum of 5 years with notable involvement in the CVSN Council.
Candidate must have an established and notable track record in mentoring future leaders in cardiovascular and stroke research, practice or leadership.
Candidate must be available to present as keynote speaker of the early career sessions at AHA Scientific Sessions.

Current CVSN Early Career Awards Committee members are not eligible to apply for or be nominated for the award.

Evaluation Criteria

Candidate has received previous recognition for mentoring (college, university, chapter, or national recognition)
Candidate mentees have received national recognition for their contribution to cardiovascular and stroke science as evidence by contributions to the literature, contributions to evidence-based practice, contributions to health systems.

How to Apply or Submit a Nomination

Individuals may be nominated an unlimited number of times but may receive this award only once. Self-nomination is acceptable.

Re-nominations are encouraged for those not selected; however, the nominator must be willing to update the nomination package in subsequent cycles.

The nomination file (submitted on the nominee’s behalf) should contain the following documents in PDF format:

A letter of nomination, drafted on electronic letterhead with a signature. The letter should outline and provide clear examples of how the candidate meets the criteria.
Candidate's curriculum vitae.
List of mentees and current positions.
Up to three optional letters of support from mentees.

Visit the ProposalCentral Council Awards Applicant Instructions page to apply or submit a nomination.

Once logged in, you may apply for the Scientific Sessions Career Achievement Awards in Mentoring and select the Kathleen A. Dracup Distinguished Lecture and Exemplary Career in Mentoring Award from the award drop-down list.

For more detailed information on ProposalCentral, also included are additional materials on specific ProposalCentral functionality.