Darlene Curley, Jonas Center Executive Director, Honored by University of Maryland as Inaugural Visionary Pioneer

Baltimore, MD – A spectacular gala, held April 18 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, concluded a year of special events celebrating the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) 125th anniversary. Nearly 500 people attended the celebration, which honored the School of Nursing’s 25 inaugural Visionary Pioneers. The Visionary Pioneer Award winners are alumni who have made a significant impact on—and contribution to—the field of nursing based on leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship.

During her welcome remarks, UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, thanked everyone for attending and acknowledged the event sponsors.

“We gather here to celebrate this significant anniversary in the School of Nursing’s history and to give it special meaning by honoring the School’s 25 inaugural Visionary Pioneers,” said Kirschling. “I am delighted to announce that gala sponsorships and gifts, combined with the University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation’s generous match of 50 cents on the dollar, have resulted in more than $274,000 raised for the 125th Anniversary Endowed Scholarship Fund.”

At the end of the program, Kirschling made another major announcement – the School received the largest gift in its history, $5.2 million, from Bill and Joanne Conway through their Bedford Falls Foundation. The gift will enable the School to expand enrollment in its traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, increase opportunities for registered nurses to obtain their BSN degrees, and provide full scholarships to the 157 new Conway Scholars.

Photos from the gala can be viewed and downloaded HERE.

CLICK HERE to see article on University of Maryland School of Nursing’s website.

Additional Information on Darlene J. Curley, MS ’82, BSN ’80, RN, FAAN

Curley has extensive experience as a health policy leader, entrepreneur, leadership consultant, workforce expert, and registered nurse. She served two terms in the Maine House of Representatives, where she established herself as one of the legislature’s foremost experts on health policy issues. Prior to her service in the legislature, Curley was founder and CEO of a home health care and medical staffing business. She has served on the faculty of the University of Southern Maine and was Director for Strategic Planning for Healthsouth Corporation/Advantage Health, one of the largest health care companies in the nation.