UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Sheilah Yohn, assistant teaching professor in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, received the Sheila Gealey Award for 2023 at the annual Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners Conference.
The enduring contributions of Sheila Gealey, the first president of the organization, are recognized and honored through the award. The award was established in 2012, annually recognizing a nurse practitioner actively involved in safeguarding and improving the professional standing of nurse practitioners in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
"We have the highest respect for her," Yohn said, underscoring the profound admiration and esteem for Gealey's impactful contributions.
While traditionally conferring the award to a single recipient, this year marked an exceptional occasion as there was a tie in excellence, leading to the recognition of two deserving individuals, including Yohn and Janice Miller. Yohn shared her feelings about winning the Shelia Gealey Award for 2023, stating, "I'm stunned. I'm very honored and surprised."
Yohn obtained her registered nurse (RN) diploma from York Hospital School of Nursing, her RN to bachelor of science in nursing at Penn State, and her master of science in nursing with a nurse practitioner track from Widener University. After completing her schooling, she began work as a nurse practitioner and became a part of Penn State Health in 2011. Later, she secured a position as assistant teaching professor in the college. Continuing her educational journey, she obtained her doctor of nursing practice from Wilkes University in 2019 and now works full-time in the college’s Nurse Practitioner Program.
Commenting on the achievement, Judith Hupcey, the associate dean of Research and Development, observed that, "Yohn’s well-deserved receipt of the Sheila Gealey Award is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence. Her profound dedication to the college has not only set a standard for achievement but also exemplifies the spirit of leadership we value and celebrate at our institution."
Beyond Yohn’s recognition, several more faculty members including Kristen Bransby, Sandra Halbrunner, Paul Logan, Beth Ann White, and Brandi Peachey participated in the annual fall conference.
To highlight, assistant research professor Paul Logan led three distinct events, including two keynote presentations titled "Is this a good study? Interpreting Scientific Studies in Healthcare" and "Think Like a Cardiologist: Interpreting Cardiovascular Diagnostic Tests," along with a workshop on "Understanding and Interpreting 12 EKGS."
When devising ideas for keynotes or workshops at the conference, the focus was on addressing the challenges faced by nurse practitioners. As emphasized by Logan, "In my clinical practice, I see where the nurse practitioners struggle, and I wanted to make it easier for them to be able to handle some of these things." This approach is aimed at creating content that would directly benefit and support nurse practitioners in their professional endeavors.
As the PCNP conference marked two decades of existence this year, the event resonated with the powerful theme "Power of the Past — Force of the Future," commemorating the remarkable journey of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners. The conference celebrated the rich history and growth of PCNP but also provided a platform for networking and collaboration, highlighted the organization's achievements, as well as setting the stage for a dynamic and impactful future in the realm of nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania.