The Caritas Medal
The highest award bestowed by Spalding University, the Caritas Medal has recognized the alumna or alumnus of the year since 1961. “Caritas,” meaning “charity” in Latin is a central element of the motto of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth: “Caritas Christi Urget Nos,” or “The Charity of Christ Urges Us.” As such, the Caritas medalist is recognized for his or her contributions in a particular field and for exemplifying a spirit of service consistent with the mission and tradition of Spalding.
The award is presented annually to a former graduate of Spalding University of Nazareth College who has been selected via nominations from Spalding’s diverse community of graduates. Spalding graduates or friends interested in nominating their fellow alumni for this distinguished honor can do so year round.
2024 Winner
Dr. Nancy Shataun Ferrell Jones ’08
Dr. Jones’s professional career started as a certified nurse aide (CNA) on a skilled unit at Parkway Medical Center and Rehabilitation in Louisville. She dedicated nearly a decade to nursing as a CNA while pursuing her undergraduate degrees, demonstrating unwavering commitment and resilience. Dr. Jones spearheaded eviCore Healthcare startup’s care coordination, utilization management, and medical director review department. She served as the founding nurse of the medical determination review team and was an expert in introducing the initial care coordination framework for a utilization management and home health program — training and consulting with numerous teams nationwide. Cigna later acquired eviCore via Express Scripts with an emphasis on care coordination and medical utilization for $54 billion, cementing the success of the programs led by Dr. Jones and establishing her as a credible and inspiring leader in the field.
During her tenure at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, VHAN Population Health Department, Dr. Jones’s leadership was instrumental in the development of an NCQA-guided platform workflow for medically complex patients with increased medical utilization for the care coordination team. Nursing interventions increased by 30% per month across all populations. Dr. Jones also spearheaded Vanderbilt Health’s regional Annual Wellness Visit campaign, which achieved national benchmarks. In the fall of 2023, Dr. Jones launched her own leadership and health consulting business, beePrestige, further extending her influence in the healthcare sector.
Dr. Jones inspires others and fosters a deep sense of community by volunteering and launching community-focused events that center around the well-being of children and families.
Family is everything to Dr. Jones. Her loving husband and three boys share her passion for creating community. This personal value of family and community is deeply ingrained in her professional work, influencing her leadership and health consulting approach. Dr. Jones commented on receiving the Caritas Award: “Our journey to success is not our own, but by the service and sacrifices of those bestowed upon us; therefore, it is our duty to pay it forward with grace and gratitude.
Past Winners
2023 Barbara Kremer Schmall, BSN ’69
2022 Dr. Kathryn Dowd, BA ’75
2021 Dr. Vicki Hines Martin, BSN ’75, MA, Ed. ’83
2021 Mary Romelfanger, BSN ’76
2020 Perry Sangalli, Ed.D. ’98 (honored posthumously)
2019 Shirley Powers, ’72
2018 Christe Coe, M. ’08
2017 Susan McKim Griffin, ’68
2016 Susan Gatz, SCN, ’70
2015 Silas House, M. 2003
2014 Dewey Hensley, Ed.D. ’07
2013 Mary N. Haynes, ’77
2012 Rosemarie I. Young, Ed.D. ’94
2011 Elmer Lucille Allen, ’53
2010 Paula Travis, ’67; M. ’80; Ed.D. ’95
2009 Mary C. Pendleton, ’62
2008 Cynthia Baughman, M. ’04
2007 Mary Burns, SCN, ’61
2006 Frances Osbourn Brown, ’66
2005 Rebecca Rodenbaugh, ’46
2004 Donna Kenney, ’68
2003 Donnita Travis, ’82
2002 Mary Catherine Osbourn Wolford, ’59
2001 Marilyn Spink, SCN, ’66, S. ’78
2000 Donna Nelson Durning, ’59
1999 Martha Ann Yarber Driscoll, ’48
1998 Brother Ignatius Perkins, O.P., ’73, M. ’81
1997 Helen Bianchi Rothgerber, ’67 and Harry J. Rothberger, ’72
1996 Paul Baker Whitty, ’74
1995 Mary Woodford Johnson, ’70
1994 Ruth Atkinson Snider, ’65, M. ’70
1993 Anne Rita Mauck, SCN, ’71
1992 Kathryn Marcil Mershon, ’67
1991 Letitia Walter, ’57
1990 Janet Dougherty, SCN, ’65
1989 Marilyn McHugh Hohmann, ’67
1988 Evelyn Catherine McGoff, ’69
1987 Mary Ransom Burke, SCN, ’36
1986 Virginia Veeneman, ’29
1985 Mary Elinor Smith, ’35
1984 Mary Cecil Weyhing, ’59
1983 Martha Jesse Radike, ’41
1982 Ester F. Bentley, ’41
1980 Mary Paul Walsh, SCN, ’42
1981 Eleanore A. Robertson, ’66, M. ’70
1979 Beulah Fontaine, ’44
1978 Mary Catherine Baseheart, SCN, ’31
1977 Donna Herp, ’63
1976 Gladys Chowning Wallace, ’61
1975 Mary Jane Jesse, ’39
1974 Margaret Mary Lyon, ’49, M. ’70
1973 Mary Emily Keenan, SCN, ’73
1972 Marie Mannix Keeling, ’47
1971 Barbara Simmons Miller, ’51
1970 Harry Ropke Jr. and Ann Mattimore Ropke, ’50
1969 Alma Lee Gaynor Haragan, ’47
1968 Mary Jane Mansfield Karem, ’31
1967 Mildred Dougherty, ’42
1966 Ruth Donnelly, ’43
1965 Mary Anne Fueglein, ’37
1964 Edna Henninger, ’36
1963 Mary Benedict Clark, ’29
1962 Eileen Sheehan Downs, ’38
1961 Louise Kannapell, Class of 1929
– Year of bachelor’s degree unless noted; “SCN” indicates Sister of Charity of Nazareth; “OP” indicates Order of Preachers.
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