This award recognizes the contributions to College Health by an individual working in the field from the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont. The individual selected should have made significant contributions to the students they serve as well as their institution, and the field of college health. The nominee should be a creative, innovative, dedicated leader and mentor, known for their sharing and caring. This award represents the highest recognition given by the New England College Health Association.

This award honors a college health nurse who has made outstanding contributions to NECHA, her/his college or university, and the profession. The award was originally established by CHAND (College Health Association of Nurse Directors) in 1992 to honor Louise Gazzara on the occasion of her retirement after 25 distinguished years as Director of Nursing at Tufts University. Louise was also a longstanding member of NECHA, serving as president in 1982, and ACHA.

In 2000, NECHA assumed responsibility for the Louise Gazzara Award, continuing to use the criteria established by CHAND. Perhaps most fittingly, the 2000 award honored Carole Worsh, Director of Health Services at Pine Manor College that year. As founding member of CHAND and NECHA past president, Carole presented a commemorative plaque to Louise in 1992. Gazzara passed away in 2013 leaving a legacy of caring and consideration for the many students that she served throughout the years.

This award recognizes college health professionals who have had a meaningful impact with the New England College Health Association (NECHA). This person has contributed to NECHA through volunteering at the annual meeting to be a presider or other role, served on or contributed to program planning of the conference, provided presentations at conferences, served on the board of directors, or any combination of these roles.* 

• Requirements: Contributions to NECHA – min 3 year tenure, consistent presenter, presider, volunteer, Board member, program planning, NECHA region*

The New England College Health Association (NECHA) recognizes college health professionals who have had a meaningful impact within their institution. These professionals or teams have contributed greatly through policies, programs, serving students or contributing to services provided through their department.

• Requirements: Contributions to institution – min 2 year tenure, contributing to services, policies, programs, student experience, works/worked in NECHA region

Students are at the heart of all of our work. The New England College Health Association is excited to honor college health professionals who have made an impact on students at their institution, regionally, or nationally. These contributions could be with individuals, group(s), community, or at the institutional or national level. 

• Requirements: Contributions to students– min 2 year tenure, impact on student health on individuals, group, community, or institution, one letter from a student, alumni, or former student required, works/worked in NECHA region

The New England College Health Association values its members’ work in the field of college health. This award honors a college health professional who has shared publications or guidelines, national or regional presentations, conducted research that was shared, created interventions or programs that other institutions can adapt, or other work that contributes to the growth or body of work within college health. 

• Requirements: Contributions to the field of college health — min 5 year tenure, sharing publications, national & regional presentations, research, creating interventions, or programs that other institutions adapt. Works/worked in NECHA region

Mentors are leaders that provide support, encouragement, and guidance to others in the field. The New England College Health Association seeks to recognize college health professionals who have demonstrated outstanding mentorship to graduate students or other college health professionals in the field. 

• Requirements: Mentoring award – min 3 year tenure, provide support, empathy, guidance, consultation, etc. to college health professionals or graduate students, one letter from a mentee required, works/worked in NECHA region

*This award may also be considered to our sister association members for The New York State College Health Association 

2023 Recipient – Jessica Greher Traue, EdM

2022 Recipient – Kelsey R. DeVoe, MS, FNP-C

2021 Recipient – Jennifer Hodshon, MPH

2019 Recipient –  Leah Driscoll, MSW, LICSW

2018 Recipient – Bryant Ford, PhD

2017 Recipient – Bruce Churchill, MD

2016 Recipient – Vanessa Britto, MD, MSc

2015 Recipient – Michael Kurland, MSPH

2014 Recipient – Cheryl Flynn, MD, MS

2013 Recipient – Margaret Higham, MD

2012 Recipient – Joleen M. Nevers, MAEd, CHES, AASECT

2011 Recipient – Constance R. Hiller, MD

2010 Recipient – John Miner, MD

2009 Recipient – Charlene Bradley, RN, BC

2008 Recipient – Peter Davis Smith, MD

2007 Recipient – Ryan Travia, MEd

2006 Recipient – Peter R. Nobes, PA

2005 Recipient – Cynthia A. Lubianez, RN, MS

2004 Recipient – Lillian Zanchi, RNC

2002 Recipient – Chad Henderson, MBA

2001 Recipient – Yolanda Baumgartner, MBA

2023 Recipient – Christine Benvie MSN, RN

2022 Recipient – Cynthia Calderon, MSN, ANP, BC

2021 Recipient – Marianne Coscia, RN

2019 Recipient – Margaret Leonard, RN

2018 Recipient – Wendy Sansone, RN, MSN

2017 Recipient – Margaret Fitzgerald, MS, FNP-BC

2016 Recipient – Mary Lou Walsh, ANP-BC

2015 Recipient – Joan Ecklund, BSN, RN

2014 Recipient – Gerri Taylor, MS, ANP-BC

2013 Recipient – Kathryn Macaione, BSN, RN (posthumously)

2012 Recipient – Barbara Germain, RN

2011 Recipient – (none awarded)

2010 Recipient – Karen O’Brien, RNC, BSN

2009 Recipient – Catherine Kelleher, RN

2008 Recipient – Kathy Savage, RN

2007 Recipient – Debora Cain, RNC

2006 Recipient – Nancy Barry, RNC

2005 Recipient – Mary Kay Connell, BS, CPNP

2004 Recipient – Rita Sheppard, RNC

2003 Recipient – Gail Langley, RNC

2002 Recipients – Elizabeth “Betty” Cotter, MS, RNC and Sandra Stern, RNC, ANP

2001 Recipient – Charlene ‘Charley’ Bradley, RNC, BPS

2000 Recipient – Carole Worsh, RN-C, ANP