Eileen A. Taff, RN, BSN '88 - Distinguished Service to NCC Award 2006
Eileen Taff
has dedicated her career to the profession of nursing. She entered the profession as an LPN in 1978 and began working at St. Luke’s Hospital in 1981 after relocating to the Lehigh Valley. Eileen was provided the opportunity to return to school by working at the hospital. She began taking classes at NCC on a part-time evening basis while balancing home responsibilities of raising two children with her husband, Marshall. In 1988, she graduated from Northampton with an associate’s degree in applied science and was the founding president of the Nursing Alumni Association and became an active alumni board member. In 1999, Eileen was honored by receiving the NCC Volunteer Award and was selected to represent the non-tradition student in newspaper and TV advertisements for the College. Her most recognized contribution to nursing alumni was the creation of the basket bingo fundraiser which was extremely successful in raising funds to support nursing clinical achievement and leadership awards. These awards are presented by Eileen at the nursing pinning ceremonies.
Eileen’s nursing career continued from a staff nurse to clinical coordinator and patient care manager of a cardiac surgical telemetry unit from 1997 through the present. She has remained active in nursing leadership at St. Luke’s Hospital and was awarded the Nursing Excellence Award in Leadership from St. Luke’s Hospital in 2003. For the past 7 years, Eileen has organized and chaired the cardiovascular symposium for nursing staff at St. Luke’s Hospital and is the chairwoman of the rewards and recognition committee at their Bethlehem Campus. In 2002, she was awarded the American Heart Association Pinnacle Award in Cardiac Care and also received her BSN from Kutztown University where she was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau honor society in nursing.
In 2006, Eileen received a citation from the Mayor of Bethlehem for her dedication and commitment in providing outstanding service to the community.
Most recently, in addition to the management of two acute care units at St. Luke’s Hospital, Eileen expanded her nursing to clinical research for the cardiovascular service line. Over 115 patients have been enrolled in multiple studies with recognition of being the first clinical site in the U.S. for a surgical trial and leader in total enrollment.
In her spare time she remains active in the community volunteering in health fairs, AHA activities and is a member of the Morning Star Rotary Club. She is also pursuing her master’s degree in nursing leadership and management at Drexel University with completion expected in 2007.
Her truest passion lies with the time she spends with her grandson, Colin, who turned one year old in September. She is proud of her married grown daughter, Jessie and son, Grant, both NCC graduates and their spouses. Eileen has been married to her high school sweetheart for over 27 years and lives in the rolling hills of Danielsville.
