Home > Service > Professional organizations: Beta Kappa

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Membership

The annual deadline for membership applications is July 1. Questions? Email Kathryn Reid (kjb@virginia.edu).

• Guidelines for all applicants
• Information for Endorsement
• Application for all applicants Part 1, 2, 3 (.doc)
• Specific Community Membership applicant Part 4 (.pdf)
• Release of Transcript form

Awards

Distinguished Nurse Award (Nominations due December 1 even years, presented in odd years)
The purpose of this award is to recognize a nurse who receives local, national, and/or international recognition as a nursing leader; influences leadership in nursing through visionary and innovative approaches; creates an environment that enhances the image of nursing; and/or participates in the development of nursing leaders and leadership.

Community Service Award (Nominations due December 1 in odd years, awarded in even years)
The purpose of this award is to recognize community leaders who have influenced healthcare in the social, political, economic and/or institutional arena. Criteria include: endorsement and support from nursing, other health professionals, and community leaders; local, statewide, and/or national contributions as an advocate of nursing and/or healthcare; and contributions that significantly enhance the level of health or healthcare of the community.

Nan Hilt Excellence in Practice Award (due January 15th)
This award was established in the name of Nancy Hilt, a nursing leader and a strong supporter of creative and innovative nursing practice. The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding contributions of young professional nurses among the members of Beta Kappa Chapter. To be eligible for this award, the candidate must:

• Be a member in good standing of Beta Kappa Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau
• Demonstrate a broad range of advanced skills in nursing, which lead to excellence in the care of patients, develop innovative solutions to nursing problems, and serve as an effective mentor and role model to other nurses
• Influence policies and procedures that increase the quality of nursing care, uphold the highest ethical standards & contribute to professional and/or community organizations

Nancy Ballard Scholarship Award for students (due January 15th, even years)
Nancy Ballard, a charter member of our chapter, was a strong supporter of scholarship. This award was established in her name to provide assistance towards scholarly pursuits by student members of the Beta Kappa Chapter. A $1,000 scholarship is given biennially. To be eligible for this award, the candidate must:

• be a member, in good standing, of Beta Kappa Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau
• be invested in development of nursing scholarship
• be a full- or part-time student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in nursing

Selection is based on evidence of scholarship and academic achievement and a brief statement explaining your specific plans for the award money in the pursuit of your educational goals.

Research Dissemination Award (due December 15 and April 15)
The purpose of this award is to help members pay for travel expenses to conferences when presenting their research findings. The award will be given twice annually in the amount of $500 each time. The member’s name, title of abstract, and conference will be published in the Beta Kappa newsletter. To be eligible for this award the applicant must be a Beta Kappa member, and be presenting research at a regional, national, or international meeting. Individuals will be limited to one Research Dissemination Award within a two year period. Applications will be judged on the quality of the research design, the relevance of the research to nursing, and involvement of the member in Beta Kappa activities. Paper presentations will be given priority over poster presentations.

Phyllis Verhonick Clinical Research Award (due March 1 odd years)
Phyllis J. Verhonick believed in the fundamental importance of clinical research in the practice of nursing. She was also committed to supporting the efforts of beginning nurse researchers. A Beta Kappa Chapter research fund was established in 1979 in Dr. Verhonick’s honor. The purpose of this award is to provide a grant ($1,000) to a nurse researcher to investigate clinical nursing problems. Recipients must be Beta Kappa members who propose a clinical nursing research study. Criteria for proposal evaluation include:

• Scientific merit of the proposed research study
• Relevance of the proposed research to nursing practice
• Beta Kappa activities of the investigator(s)
• Prior approval from appropriate human investigation or IRB committees

Awards Committee, Gina DeGennaro, Chair
Research Awards Committee, Randy Jones, Chair

President Mary Gibson 2012-2014  meg2e@virginia.edu 924.0130
Immediate Past President Madeline Jones
President Elect / Vice President Kristin Von Thelen 2012-2014 millhillva@gmail.com
Secretary    Tina Knicely  2011-2013
Treasurer Mary O'Laughlen 2012-2014   mco7w@virginia.edu   434.243.9354

Governance Committee Chair
Eligibility Subcommittee Chair Vickie Southall 2011-2013   vhs9s@virginia.edu  434.924.1902
Program committe  Simona Parvulescu sp2vb@cms.mail.virginia.edu

Membership Subcommittee Chair Bethany Cantanzaro bmc2qx@virginia.edui
Leadership Succession Committee Chair Allyson Vasi
Mentorship Subcommittee Chair 
Bylaws Katherine Willard
Awards Chair, Elizabeth Talafierro Jones, 2012-2014    
Archives Rebecca Harmon 2009-2011  rbh8a@virginia.edu  434.924.0216
Finance Committee Chair Veronia Lester Ballard, 2010-2011  vd3f@virginia.edu  434.591.0353 and Marcia Scofield 
Fundraising Chair Brenda Sawyer Padis, 2010-2011  bes5r@virginia.edu   804.364.2559
Newletter Editor Jeanne Erickson, 2010-2011  jme3a@virginia.edu   434.924.0300
Publicity Chair David Strider 2010-2011   dsv7e@virginia.edu
Research Awards Chair Randy Jones 2009-2011  raj9c@virginia.edu  434.924.0125

UVa Wise Faculty Counselor 

Region 13 Coordinator Jayne Lutz jayne_lutz@uncg.edu