Dr. Silvana Filippello Richardson, ΓΛ, received Alpha Sigma Alpha’s most distinguished award, the Recognition of Eminence Award.

Silvana earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Loyola University, a master’s degree in nursing from Governors State University and a doctorate in community health education from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Silvana served for 17 years as Dean of the School of Nursing at Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI. During this time, she established a master’s in nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. She was instrumental in planning and building a state of the art nursing educational facility that doubled the size of the previous nursing school and provided cutting-edge exam rooms, laboratories and classroom space, as well as a healing garden.

Silvana served 12 years in the Nurse Corps of the U.S. Naval Reserve where she achieved the rank of commander. She was a visiting scholar at the University of Utah during which she served as nurse team leader for the spectator medical area at the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

Silvana is the first recipient and currently serves as the Sister Grace Clare Beznouz Professor of Nursing at Viterbo University. This professorship is awarded to those who demonstrate excellence in teaching, expanding disciplinary scholarship, developing new partnerships and recognizes those who mentor faculty, partners and students in the school, college and university.

“One of the most outstanding attributes of Dr. Richardson is her unpretentious ability to influence others to aspire to make a difference in our world,” said Jackie Kuennen, professor of nursing at Viterbo University. “She recognizes potential in others and paves the way for achievement.”

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Silvana is a distinguished Alpha Sigma Alpha alumna. She served as chapter president of the Gamma Lambda Chapter at Loyola University of Chicago and charter president of the Chicago Metro Alumnae Chapter. Silvana was also a member of the Boston Alumnae Chapter. She is a past national council member and has also served as chairman of ritual, chairman of standards, chairman of philanthropy and as province director. Silvana has attended more than 15 national conventions and has been the recipient of Alpha Sigma Alpha’s Elizabeth Bird Small Award in 1972 and the Helen Corey Award in 1992.

Silvana resides in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with her husband Robert.

Silvana was presented with the Recognition of Eminence Award during the 2018 National Convention & Leadership Conference in Phoenix on Saturday, July 21.