Frances B. Aronovitz, ARNP, PhD, has been named the 2004 Alumnus of Distinction by the University of Miami School of Nursing. The award was announced by Nilda P. Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing, at the school’s annual Homecoming Breakfast, which took place recently at the Biltmore Hotel.
“Fran Aronovitz has devoted her career to improving health care and educating nursing professionals in South Florida,” said Dean Peragallo. “I can think of no one who embodies the ideals of the School of Nursing’s Alumnus of Distinction Award more completely than Fran. She is an outstanding nurse educator and a role model for nurse leaders throughout our community. We are proud that she is an alumna of the UM School of Nursing and are pleased to present her with this award,” she added.
(L to R) Luisa Angel, President elect, School of Nursing alumni association; Johis Ortega, President, School of Nursing Alumni Association; Fran Aronovitz; Dean Nilda Peragallo of the School of Nursing; and Diana Tershakovec, Secretary, School of Nursing alumni association.
Aronovitz has served as a nurse educator and administrator in South Florida for more than twenty-five years, first as a faculty member at Miami Dade College and most recently as the Director of the MDC School of Nursing. A master teacher, she held the first Joan K. Stout Endowed Teaching Chair at MDC. Her areas of expertise include psychiatric, oncology, medical-surgical, and home health nursing. She has worked in intensive care and telemetry units as well as rehabilitation and nursing administration. Aronovitz has served on numerous boards and committees including the National League for Nursing, Florida League for Nursing, Florida Organization of Nurse Executives, and the Nursing Shortage Consortium of South Florida. In 2004 she received a Health Care Hero Award from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.
Aronovitz received her nursing diploma from Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, her BSN from the University of Texas, and an MS in Adult Education from Florida International University. She is a graduate of the School of Nursing’s MSN program and holds a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Miami.
