Margarete L. Zalon, Ph.D., Receives Earl Award
Margarete L. Zalon, Ph.D., professor of nursing at The University of Scranton, received the John L. Earl III Award for 2022. From left are: Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., dean of the University’s Panuska College of Professional Studies; Jacqueline Earl Hurst daughter of the late John Earl; Dr. Zalon,John L. Earl III Award recipient; Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president; and Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.Margarete L. Zalon, Ph.D., professor of nursing, received the John L. Earl III Award for service to the University, the faculty and the wider community. The 2022 John L. Earl III Award was presented at the University’s annual Fall Convocation, which took place on campus on Sept. 2.
The award is given annually to a member of the University community who demonstrates the spirit of generosity and dedication that the late Dr. John Earl, a distinguished professor of history, exemplified during his years at Scranton from 1964 to 1996.
Daniel J. West Jr., Ph.D., professor and chair the Health Administration and Human Resources Department at The University of Scranton and the 2021 John L. Earl III Award recipient, announced Dr. Zalon as the 2022 recipient at the Convocation. Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, presented the award to Dr. Zalon.
During her more than three decades of service at the University, Dr. Zalon has served on numerous committees, including in leadership roles on the Faculty Senate and FAC. As director of the University’s online Master of Science in Health Informatics Program, Dr. Zalon has played a pivotal role in the program’s success. In 2021, the graduate program received accreditation from the prestigious Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Dr. Zalon, who has been a member of Scranton’s faculty since 1988, was inducted as an American Academy of Nursing Fellow in 2010 in part for her positive influence on health care policy and delivery. Her leadership legacy includes grassroots advocacy, progressive program design, execution and outcomes in state and national nursing organizations focused on establishing practice and education policy, and building research funding capacity.
Dr. Zalon is a past chair of the American Nurses Foundation, a former board member of the American Nurses Association and a past president of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association.
Dr. Zalon’s research focuses on vulnerable elders. She has authored book chapters, as well as articles published in numerous scholarly journals and other professional publications. She has also made research and health policy presentations at the local, state, national and international levels. She is the co-author of the book “Nurses Making Policy: From Bedside to Boardroom” with Rebecca M. Patton, MSN and Ruth Ludwick, Ph.D.
Dr. Zalon is a recipient of the Duke University School of Nursing Distinguished Alumna Award, the PSNA Distinguished Nurse Award and a Leahy Fellowship at The University of Scranton. She also received the University’s Excellence in Advancing Interdisciplinary Study Award in 2020.
Dr. Zalon earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University and her master’s and Ph.D. degrees from New York University.
