Graduate Honored with Distinguished Service Award | University of Rochester School of Nursing

Anne Swantz, ’88N (MS), PNP, RN, a UR School of Nursing graduate and the associate director of the Sovie Center for Advanced Practice, was recently honored with the University of Rochester Witmer Award for Distinguished Service. The prestigious award is presented to staff members whose careers have been characterized by outstanding and sustained contributions to the university.

Swantz joined the university in 1978 as a pediatric nurse before quickly advancing to nurse leadership positions. Today, Swantz leads more than 500 nurse practitioners and physician assistants as associate director of the Sovie Center for Advance Practice. Under Swantz’s leadership, the program has grown into one of the largest advance practice networks in the county.

Swantz is a strong leader and role model who personifies the institution’s values of integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence, her colleagues say.

“Anne is a true collaborator. She builds relationships and gains the trust and confidence of those around her, making her a well-respected member of the leadership team,” her nominators write. 

Colleagues supporting her nomination cite Swantz’s creativity as she helped design and develop Advance Practice Provider (APP) residency programs for emergency medicine and critical care to help them better acclimate to high-stress clinical environments. She also partnered with the Physician Wellness Committee to make the group’s physician wellness educational sessions available to APPs.

“Anne is recognized by her peers and colleagues for her commitment to excellence, collaborative spirit, and her ability to successfully execute complex initiatives,” writes Patricia Witzel, associate vice president and chief nursing officer.