Mary G. Boland, dean and professor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, was presented with the 2017 Executive Award by the Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi at its annual Awards and Scholarship Gala at the Koʻolau Ballrooms on October 21.
Boland was honored for her leadership in the healthcare community, exemplary leadership in innovation, employee morale and financial stewardship, as well as serving as an inspiration for colleagues. She has made improvements to care at statewide and national levels, and is dedicated to enhancing healthcare delivery.
Boland joined UH Mānoa in 2005, following a distinguished career at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and her work developing community based care systems for children and families dealing with chronic illnesses. As dean of the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene for the past 12 years, she is credited with building academic partnerships for education, research and service while transforming education to meet the needs of the community.
A visionary and transformational leader, her efforts led to statewide nursing education initiatives from the baccalaureate through doctoral levels and development of a statewide partnership for a simulation center available to statewide practice settings.
“Mary Boland is highly respected across the state as well at the University of Hawaiʻi. In addition to her positive contributions to healthcare in the state, she is a tremendous asset,” said UH President and Interim Mānoa Chancellor David Lassner. “We are very proud of Mary and thank her for her commitment to serving the mission of the university, and furthering innovation and excellence for the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene.”
Jessica Ackerman, a UH Mānoa nursing alumna, received the association’s 2017 Healthcare Hero award. Ackerman is a nurse practitioner at The Queen’s Medical Center–Geriatric Services. She was nominated by a patient and received one of five Healthcare Hero awards given this year. Patients nominate those who go above and beyond the call of duty, and who show compassion, are extremely knowledgeable and provide exceptional care.
The association also awarded two UH Mānoa nursing students with scholarships. Shania Weiss is an undergraduate nursing student who is currently a resident assistant at UH Mānoa Student Housing. Rozanne Schirmer is an adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist master’s nursing student working at The Queen’s Medical Center–West Oʻahu as a manager for outpatient clinic operations.
For more on the story, go to the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene website.
—By Desiree Uyeda
