Distinguished Merit Award

Purpose and description

The Distinguished Merit Award is presented in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the art and science of cancer nursing within Europe. This includes, but is not limited to, advancements made in the areas of practice, research and/or education. In addition to this, the successful individual may well be someone who has contributed to strengthening or enhancing the profession of cancer nursing through community work or political/lobbying activities.

The Award is granted every two years and presented at the European Cancer Conference (ECCO).

The next conference will be held in Stockholm from 23-27 September 2011.

Eligibility requirements

Eligible for the award are registered nurses actively engaged in clinical practice, management/administration, teaching, research, consulting or in some other professional position where they have played an innovative role in cancer nursing beyond that which would normally be expected of them in their particular position. Nominees should be members of EONS, living and working in Europe.

The following points may be of assistance in identifying nominees for the Distinguished Merit Award:

  • Results of innovations in practice, teaching/research are not always immediately apparent. Consider colleagues who have continually and consistently striven to improve or change the status quo.
  • Nurses working in all areas of cancer care are eligible to be nominated.
  • An academic degree or managerial positions are not eligibility requirements.
  • Nominees for the Award may have been involved in developing / expanding nursing roles, conducting research, implementing and evaluating research results, identifying cost efficient care practices, influencing the development of novice nurses through mentoring/ role modelling or implementing innovative teaching strategies.

Distinguished Merit Award 2011

The European Oncology Nursing Society is pleased to announce that Eileen Furlong, UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, Dublin, Ireland should be the winner of the Distinguished Merit Award 2011.

Eileen Furlong receiving the EONS Distinguished Merit Award

Eileen received the Distinguished Merit Award 2011 from EONS President Sultan Kav at the EONS Opening Award session on Saturday 24 September 2011 during the 2011 European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress, Stockholm, Sweden.

EONS congratulates Eileen for winning the award and wishes her success with future projects.

Previous recipients

Year Recipient Country
2009Jan FoubertBelgium
2007(No Award Granted)
2005(No Award Granted)
2003Alison RichardsonUK
2001Kathy RedmondIreland
1999Wim DellepoortThe Netherlands
1997Agnes GlausSwitzerland
1995Gertrud GrahnSweden
1993(No Award Granted)
1991Yvonne WillemsSwitzerland
1989Robert TiffanyUK
1987Rosette PolettiSwitzerland

There will be no further calls for applications for this award.


Further information

European Oncology Nursing Society
Avenue E. Mounier 83
B-1200 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 779 9923
Fax: +32 (0)2 779 9937
eons.secretariat@cancernurse.eu