Pittsburgh, March 1, 2007 -- Ava Puccio, research nurse and clinical coordinator with the Brain Trauma Research Center, was recently named one of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing's 'Cameos of Caring' 2006-07 scholarship award winners.

The Cameos of Caring awards program was created in 1998 by Dr. Ellen B. Rudy—former dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing—to help honor exceptional bedside nurses working at acute care hospitals in the western Pennsylvania area.

The centerpiece of the program is the annual Cameos of Caring Program & Awards Gala. Proceeds from this event benefit the Cameos of Caring Endowed Nursing Scholarship Fund designed to support the educational advancement of registered nurses. Over $100,000 was raised for this fund in 2006.

Puccio intends to use her award to help complete her doctoral degree.

This year's gala will be held October 6 in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Over 1250 persons attended last year's event.