Veronica M. Driscoll

Driscoll was a 1948 graduate of St. Catherine’s Hospital School of Nursing in Brooklyn. She went on to receive a Baccalaureate degree from St. John’s University, a Masters’ degree in guidance and personnel administration from New York University, and a Doctoral degree from Teachers College, Columbia University.

After holding a various nursing positions at St. Catherine’s Hospital, Driscoll joined NYSNA staff in 1960 in its economic security program. In 1969 she became the Executive Director of NYSNA, a position she held until her retirement in 1979; in 1975 she also became Executive Director of the newly formed Foundation of NYSNA. In the course of her career at NYSNA, she helped New York  nurses attain higher salaries, employment benefits, and improved practice environments. As Executive Director of NYSNA, she advocated and promoted the collective bargaining power of nurses to shape legislative action and their status as professional nurses. She was active in the 1972 revision of New York State’s Nurse Practice Act—this definition of nursing stands to this day—and in developing A Blueprint for the Education of Nurses in New York State, which pushed for a mandatory baccalaureate degree for professional nursing practice and an associate degree for general nursing practice.

Upon her retirement in 1979, the Foundation’s corporate headquarters was designated the Veronica M. Driscoll Center for Nursing.

The Driscoll Award

Driscoll Award Winners

2007

Janet P. Mance, MN, RN was an Incorporator of the Foundation in 1975, serving as its Vice President from 1976-1992 and its President from 1992-1998. Her extraordinarily insightful leadership was crucial to ensuring the Foundation’s growth and development.  She possesses a forward-looking vision and utilizes great creativity to advance the profession of nursing. In 2001, Mance helped the Foundation’s Board develop the “Special Initiative: Advancement of the Nursing Profession, its Essential Elements and Capacity to Serve, Position Statement and Action.”   Mance also shared her unique leadership gifts as President of the Genesee Valley Nurses Association, Vice President and President of NYSNA and Director of its Legislative Program. As current acting Chair of the Keuka College Department of Nursing, she displays her dedication to nursing education. As a speaker, she promotes the understanding of nursing and health care needs in the community. Mance continues her commitment to the Foundation as a member of the Board of Trustees and as Co-Chair of the Central New York Nurses Drive to endow the Foundation’s Center for Nursing Research.

M. Janice Nelson, EdD, RN has life time professional achievements which reflect her extraordinary vision, insight and creativity in advancing the profession of nursing.   As founder of the College of Nursing within the State of New York University system at the Health Science Center, now the SUNY Upstate Medical University, her support for the profession and its advancement are clearly evident.   In 1999, Nelson became a trustee and in 2001 assisted the Board of Trustees in developing the “Special Initiative: Advancement of the Nursing Profession, its Essential Elements and Capacity to Serve, Position Statement and Action.” Her understanding of the profession of nursing, nursing practice, education and administration, and her work with the Columbus, Ohio Board of Health, the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York and Governor Cuomo’s Task Force on Life and Health markedly enhanced public understanding of nursing. She is indefatigable in supporting nursing causes and organizations. Nelson is Co-Chair of the Central New York Nurses’ one million dollar endowment drive to endow the Center for Nursing Research.

2006

Margeret G. Tyson, EdD, RN is one of the extraordinary contributors to the growth and development of the Foundation and its mission.  She served as an academic advisor to Veronica M. Driscoll and many others who "credited her with the fact they successfully completed their doctorates." From the moment of the Foundation's establishment in 1975, Tyson vigorously supported its mission and programming serving with insight and enthusiasm as a member of the Board of Trustees. Over the years, she has been one of the Foundation's most generous donors. Upon her resignation as an Active Trustee, the Board designated her an Honorary Trustee.

2005

Beatrice M. Latremore, MS, RN is a founding trustee and an honorary trustee of the Foundation.  Over many years, she persevered in sustaining and promoting the Foundation.  She dedicated herself to the establishment of the Foundation and the advancement of its mission and goals.

2004

Erline McGriff, EdD, RN, FAAN served as active Trustee of the Foundation for the period 1982-1986.  Upon her resignation as an active Trustee, the Board designated her an Honorary Trustee.  Subsequently, Dr. McGriff, with inimitable grace and style, chaired the Foundation's Healing Hands Campaign, which exceeded the goal of 3.5 million dollars and enabled the Foundation to retire the Center for Nursing mortgage early. 

Laura Simms, EdD, RN is a Foundation Incorporator and its first President.  In that capacity, she skillfully and passionately guided the organization's establishment in 1975 and its development over the next twelve years when she resigned the Presidency but continued to serve as an active Trustee.  Upon her resignation as an active Trustee, she became a Trustee Emeritus.

2003

Catherine Leach, RN served as an NYSNA staff member from 1961 until her retirement as Deputy Director, Administration in 1985.  She was part of the team providing staffing services to the Foundation upon its establishment in 1975 and through 1985.  Ms. Leach was an extraordinarily generous Foundation donor and worked tirelessly to encourage others to support the Foundation and the Center for Nursing.

2002

Cathryne A. Welch, EdD, RN was, fittingly, the first recipient of the Driscoll Award.  Dr. Welch has provided leadership, vision, support and unflagging commitment to the Foundation from its inception through three decades.  Previously Executive Director of the Foundation, Cathryne Welch is currently the director of the Bellevue Alumnae Center for Nursing History and the Center for Nursing Research.