It is the commonwealth's highest honor for college and university faculty. Ailinger has been a faculty member at Mason since 1986.
Recognition is very validating.
D.C. Her research examines cultural influences on health and illness, with a special emphasis on Hispanic culture. Ailinger has served as a nurse in Nicaragua and Colombia and as a consultant to the School of Nursing at the Universidad Politecnicade Nicaragua from 1995 to 1997. She returns to Central America each year with a group of Mason nursing students who study the culture and provide health education and care to the local populations. Ailinger and 10 other Virginia university faculty recipients were selected from among 75 nominees.