We congratulate our member, Professor Smoyak who was inducted as an honorary fellow into the Royal College of Nursing in April 2011. Royal College of Nursing states:
“A psychiatric nurse, health care sociologist, and a member of the Rutgers University College of Nursing, in her 50 years of teaching Professor Smoyak has delivered courses in mental health and illness, psychiatric and mental health nursing, and family dynamics, as well as health and qualitative research methods.
“A highly respected researcher in the field of mental health, her drive to ‘get the job done’ has seen her generate vibrant networks that attract world-class teams of multi-disciplinary researchers. Throughout her long research career she has frequently relished being one of the first to tackle a number of contentious topics. This tenacity saw her become one of the first nurses to focus on the role and needs of families caring for people with an experience of mental illness, and a leading authority on how psychiatric patients are kept in hospitals beyond the required discharge date. More recent research projects include an assessment of the role of public health nurses, and the criminal and clinical perspectives of stalking.
“Her vast body of publications and paper have brought Professor Smoyak to the attention of the international mental health nursing fraternity. She is also editor of the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services (JPN) – the only monthly journal serving psychiatric nurses in clinical practice in the United States and around the world.
“From her ground breaking programme of workshops on group and individual therapy for hospitalised patients delivered to practicing staff nurses in state and psychiatric hospitals in the 1960s - which advanced the skills, knowledge and professionalism of psychiatric nurses in the US and beyond - to her pioneering work on nurse-patient interaction, Professor Smoyak’s teaching, research and scholarship have helped to shape all aspects of psychiatric and mental health nursing worldwide.
Annual Awards Dinner
Shrewsbury, NJ
Each year, the Society of Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses of the New Jersey State Nurses Association provides an opportunity to formally recognize outstanding contributions made by New Jersey psychiatric advanced practice nurses and those who support their mission. This year, SPAPN had their annual awards dinner once again at the Shadowbrook CC in Shrewsbury on Sept 24th. Awards were presented to two individuals for their contributions in advancing mental health care in New Jersey.
The SPAPN Nursing Excellence Award is given to a Psychiatric APN who has made outstanding contributions in clinical work, is greatly appreciated by the patients he/she serves and lauded by his/her peers for dedication and cutting-edge knowledge of medications, therapies, and resources.
Ms. Kay has been steadfast in her constant, unwavering support of nurses and the profession of nursing. Whether through published papers on bereavement, professional involvement in legislative issues, workshops or her own clinical practice, all who know Judith have witnessed her consistent demonstration of excellence as a psychiatric APN. Judith continues to dedicate time and energy to furthering the profession through her work with the Society of Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses while she works full time as a psych APN for Catholic Charities where she also mentors peers and graduate students.
This year’s award was presented to Dr. Charles Ciolino MD. Dr. Ciolino was the first physician collaborator in the state of New Jersey and has acted as a collaborator for a number of psychiatric advanced practice nurses in the early 90’s at a time when this was quite controversial.
Dr Ciolino received his MD from Georgetown University Medical School where is also completed his internship and residency.
In addition to his private practice in Summit, NJ, Dr. Ciolino is Medical Director for the Counseling Center for Human Development in Cranford, NJ, and Consulting Psychiatrist for the Fairleigh Dickinson University Wellness Center. He is also a part-time psychiatrist at Summit Medical Group.
Dr. Ciolino is a distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and Chair of the NJ Psychiatric Association Executive Council and American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. He has written many publications on the bio-medical aspects of psychiatric illness and is a frequent lecturer on psychopharmacoloy. Dr. Ciolino has also participated in community outreach programs in third world countries.
A pioneer and long time champion of Psychiatric APN’s, Dr, Charles Ciolino is most deserving of this award.
The evening concluded with a continuing education program and a business briefing.