Deb Schwaiger, a certified nurse practitioner (CNP) in the Ohio Northern University Health Center, has received the Affiliate New Professional Award from the American College Health Association (ACHA). ACHA is a national nonprofit association that represents the interests of college health professionals and the campus communities they serve.

Presented for the first time in 2002, this award recognizes ACHA members who have provided service to the field of college health for three years or less and who have made significant contributions to their institutions and/or affiliate. Schwaiger is a member of the Ohio College Health Association, an ACHA affiliate.

Schwaiger has been a registered nurse (RN) for 30 years and a CNP since August 2006. She has worked in ER, CCU and management roles as an RN and as a family nurse practitioner for the underserved population in Lima, Ohio. She has worked casually with a local correctional facility and urgent care. During her CNP roles, she was preceptor for Ohio State University, the University of Toledo, Case Western University, Wright State University and Kent State University Master of Science in nursing - nurse practitioner students.

As described in her nomination, “Schwaiger has delivered excellent care and shown compassion to every ONU student. She treats them as her own son or daughter with compassion.

She is so patient with our students. She is so enthusiastic about college health. She has presented on health topics in the evenings to student and sorority groups. She actively searches for health topics, information and education to place in our lobby each month.”

ACHA, the nation’s principal advocate and leadership organization for college and university health, was founded in 1920 and represents a diverse membership that provides and supports the delivery of health care, prevention and wellness services for the nation’s 17 million college students.