Robert V. Piemonte, a highly esteemed professional leader and former member of the Foundation of New York State Nurses Board of Trustees, succumbed to the coronavirus on April 21, 2020. Dr. Piemonte, born in 1934, graduated from Pilgrim State Hospital School of Nursing and earned the Bachelor of Science Degree at Long Island University and Master of Arts, Master of Education and Doctorate of Education degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University.
He held numerous elected leadership positions in professional nursing organizations including the presidency of; District 14, Nurses Association of the Counties of Long Island; the New York State Nurses Association; and Nurses House. He served as Assistant Director of Nursing at NYU Medical Center, Director of Nursing, Gouveneur Hospital, and Chief Nurse, US Army 8th Medical Unit. The major focus of his professional career was nursing organizations. He served the American Nurses Association as Director, Nursing Services Department and as Director of House, Board and Cabinet Affairs and, later was appointed as Executive Director of the National Student Nurses Association.
Dr. Piemonte’s commitment to excellence in the profession and tireless, pervasive professional leadership was recognized in such awards as the Teachers College Nursing Education R. Louise McManus Award; the New York State Nurses Association Honorary Recognition Award; the Foundation of New York Nurses Driscoll Award; the Nurses House Dolphin Award, induction into the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame and designation as a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing.
Dr. Piemonte was devoted to mentoring and encouraging nursing colleagues and students. As the Executive Director of the National Student Nurses Association, he said, “I saw the need for the pre-professional organization to prepare its members for leadership roles in the professional nursing organizations.”1 His cousin, Phyllis Yezzo, DNP, RN, in thanking colleagues for their condolences, said, “He was the anchor of the family and a champion for the Nursing family.”2 Countless colleagues credit him with advancing their careers and professional development. He will be sorely missed but his legacy of extraordinary leadership will continue to advance his beloved profession.
The Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association has established the Dr. Robert V. Piemonte Memorial Scholarship for donations to honor him. Donations may be mailed to Foundation of NSNA, 45 Main St., Brooklyn, NY 11201, or made via the FNSNA website. A funeral mass and memorial service will be planned at a later date. Condolences may be made at the following website: http://www.folsomfuneral.com/?p=9085
1 “Spotlight on Robert V. Piemonte,” NEAA Courier, Spring, 2009, #97, pg.2.
2 “Email Re: Sad News: Robert Piemonte,” April 22, 2020
Source: Cathryne A. Welch, EdD, RN, Foundation of New York State Nurses, Retired.
