San José State University School of Nursing Professor Mary Jo Gorney-Moreno has been named the Nurse Educator of the Year by the California Nursing Association, Region 10. The 13th annual award is given to honor a registered nurse from the region who serves as a role model for the profession, and for excellence in nursing education.

Gorney-Moreno is regarded by her colleagues and students as an outstanding leader and educator who is attentive to the learning needs of a diverse student population. She often spends additional hours outside of class time to tutor, coach and mentor students. One student remarked that Gorney-Moreno presents nursing research in a way that is understandable, applicable and fun, and that she is committed to helping students succeed.

Besides eaching, Gorney-Moreno serves in a variety of leadership roles: as the president of the California Board of Registered Nursing, chair of SJSU's Academic Senate, and positions in several professional associations. A national and international speaker, she has presented and published on information technology, home health nursing, chemical dependency and international nursing. In addition, she has developed several CD-ROM programs, and created a Web-based simulation to teach nurses about pain management (see www.cdl.edu/painless).