Dr. Jeanne Novotny, dean of the School of Nursing at Fairfield University, will be one of three area leaders honored at the Mother Angeline Teresa Award Dinner, sponsored by the League of St. Joseph's Manor, on Saturday, May 6, at the Grassy Hill Country Club in Orange. Dr. Novotny will receive the Award for Vision, while The Most Reverend William E. Lori, Bishop of Bridgeport, will receive the Award for Inspiration and Paul E. Knag, Esquire, of Darien, a partner in the firm of Murtha Cullina LLP, will receive the Award for Service.

The annual dinner honors community individuals who have contributed to and support the St. Joseph Manor's mission and philosophy of care for the elderly. Sister Michelle, administrator of the Manor, said, "This year's honorees are truly representative of the spirit of Mother Angeline Teresa. Their tireless efforts and selfless devotion have made our community a better place to live."

Jeanne M. Novotny, PhD, RN, FAAN, is being honored for her vision in recognizing the health care needs of the elderly and for her commitment to educating those in the field of gerontological nursing. Before becoming dean and professor at the Fairfield University School of Nursing, Dr. Novotny was the associate dean for academic programs at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio), interim director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center, consulting on 16 health-related initiatives in eight countries and the U.S.

She initiated a collaborative primary care clinical experience for advanced practice nursing students at San Luis Tlaxialtemalco, Mexico, in collaboration with the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; implemented a distance learning undergraduate nursing course with the Pontificia Universidad Catholica de Chile; developed a graduate level distance education courses in remote rural areas of Zimbabwe with the School of Nursing at the University of Zimbabwe (Harare); and consulted with the University of Padua and the International Center for Nursing Education and Research (Italy) to offer continuing education in home care nursing.

She received two Book of the Year Awards from the American Journal of Nursing for "Distance Education in Nursing" and "The Nuts and Bolts of Teaching Nursing."

At Fairfield University Dr. Novotny was instrumental in shaping the direction of the undergraduate curriculum by providing students with course content and clinical experiences that instill sensitivity for the unique problems facing the elderly.

Bishop Lori is being honored for his commitment to the Diocese of Bridgeport and to St. Joseph's Manor where he serves as President of the Board of Directors, and for enhancing the mission and philosophy of the Carmelite Sisters.

Born in Louisville, Ky., to Margaret and Francis Lori, Bishop Lori received a B.A. from the Seminary of Saint Pius X in Erlanger, Ky., and an M.A. from Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. In 1982 he received his Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

He was ordained to the priesthood by William Cardinal Baum in 1977. He served as associate pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Landover, Md., and in 1982, became Theological Advisor to his Eminence James Cardinal Hickey, Archbishop of Washington. From 1983-1994, he served as Secretary to Cardinal Hickey.

Five years ago, Bishop Lori was installed as Bishop of Bridgeport on the Feast of Saint Joseph, March 19, 2001. Currently he is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sacred Heart University and The Catholic University of America. In addition, he is a member of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the President's Committee on Mental Retardation. Bishop Lori has been a leader in the Church's response to the sexual misconduct crisis. Included in his accomplishments in our Diocese is the opening of the Diocesan Office of Safe Environments. Bishop Lori also serves as Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus.

Atty. Paul E. Knag is being recognized for his advocacy for St. Joseph's Manor, including pro bono work and support of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm.

A partner with the law firm of Murtha Cullina LLP since August 2002, he previously served as Clerk to Judge Leonard P. Moore of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and then as a partner of Cummings and Lockwood, where he founded its health care group. He has represented numerous hospitals in the state, including as lead counsel, as well as representing several out-of-state hospitals, and various nursing homes, physicians and other providers. He has written and lectured on numerous health law topics including Stark, physician recruitment, antitrust, HIPAA and a variety of other subjects.

Attorney Knag is the primary author of Aspen Publishing's "Treatise on Health Care Privacy and HIPAA." He served as president of the Connecticut Health Lawyers Association and is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White).

Paul and his wife have resided in Darien for 35 years where they are parishioners of St. Thomas More Church.

St. Joseph's Manor, a non-profit facility with 297 beds, is the largest Catholic long-term care facility in the State of Connecticut. It was established in 1960 with the assistance of members of the Diocese of Bridgeport and is operated by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, an order that was founded on the philosophy that the elderly should be treated with respect and dignity.

For tickets and information, please contact Virginia Iacobucci at (203) 268-6204, ext. 219.

Posted On: 05-03-2006 10:05 AM

Volume: 38 Number: 239