ANCC Certified Nurse Awards

Dr. Wilbeck mentors emergency & acute care students as Professor & Emergency NP Academic Director at Vanderbilt University. Her clinical practice in the emergency department with foreign-born and non-English speaking patients supports her educational, research and advocacy efforts.

Margaret Drozd is an ANCC Certified Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist and Family Nurse Practitioner, as well as a NJDOE certified school nurse. As director of Saint Peter’s University Hospital Community Health Services and overseer of population health initiatives, she champions for all to receive equitable access to quality health care.

Along with being an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Lora L. Clawson is Founder and Director of ALS Clinical and Research Services and the Director of MDA/ALS Care Center at Johns Hopkins. She coordinates ALS clinical care management, clinical research studies, and community fundraising.

Dr. Campbell is a Professor and Program Director at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing. Recently, she served as the director of the Victoria County Public Health Department that served three counties, led a diverse staff, and implemented initiatives to advance public health in these rural communities.

Dr. Xavier is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and a Nurse Scientist. A seasoned clinician, her research broadly focuses on understanding neurobiological mechanisms of psychiatric mental health symptoms for clinical translation.

As the Director of Advanced Practice Providers, Dr. Cardy oversees all clinical, administrative, and fiscal management components pertaining to NPs and PAs in University of South Florida (USF)'s Department of Internal Medicine. She provides care to patients with cardiovascular complaints and serves as faculty at USF.

LT Alainna Crotty is a 2011 graduate of The Ohio State University, earning her BSN.  In 2018, she graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a dual masters in Adult-Gerontology CNS and Health Systems Management. Today, LT Crotty proudly serves as a CNS for the six medical-surgical units at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

William Rosa is an RWJF Future of Nursing Scholar, University of Pennsylvania. He is the editor of three books and has contributed over 100 articles in myriad forums. He is a sought-after keynote speaker and serves on a number of organizational boards locally and globally.

Dr. Ingram-Jones, a distinguished Fellow in the Academy of Forensic Nursing serving on the Board of Directors, is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Forensic Nurse providing care to patients across the lifespan who have suffered trauma and violence in the only community-based medical-forensic clinic in Georgia.

Dr. Mehaffey, recipient of the Clinical Excellence Award for Ambulatory Leadership in 2019, is the Director for the Neuroscience Ambulatory Service Line at UAB Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama. She began her career in UAB’s Level I Trauma Burn ICU and later transitioned to outpatient oncology where her passion for ambulatory care grew.

Lolita Caparas, certified in Cardiac Vascular Nursing and as a Diabetes Educator, has 25 years of nursing experience in various areas including medical-surgical, long term and acute care rehabilitation, telemetry, progressive care, intensive care unit, cardiac catherization, and in chronic disease management

Patricia A. La Brosse has made extensive contributions to the nursing profession. Her career reflects many roles: direct patient care provider, advocate, administrator, educator, author, speaker, consultant, and leader.

Along with being the recipient of the 2018 Nursing Excellence Award, Tammy McGowen is a Pediatric CNS at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medicine, an adjunct clinical faculty for the University of Oklahoma, and a DNP student. She is actively involved in shared governance, interdisciplinary teams, and nursing leadership.

Malini Krishnan, USPHS Commander, honors graduate with an M.S. in Community Health and an MPH, a National Subject Matter Expert for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Previously, a Public Health Nurse on the Navajo Reservation, serving a population of over 13,000 Native Americans in remote/isolated communities across 225,000 acres.

Dr. Carman serves on faculty at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing and as Director of Advanced Emergency Nursing Practice at the Emergency Nurses Association, in addition to her clinical practice in the Department of Emergency Medicine at UNC Health Systems. 

Marlene Feagan, employed with St. Elizabeth for over 30 years and currently the Health Ministries Coordinator, holds a Master’s in Pastoral Studies and a certificate in Gerontology.  She developed the Parish Nursing Program for health ministries services in community faith-based sites to provide care to the underserved.

Dr. Pasarón is a nurse practitioner for the Colorectal Center at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami. For the past 13 years, she has cared for children in the department of pediatric surgery. Dr. Pasarón is an advocate for nurse practitioner job satisfaction and care of the pediatric surgical patient.

Martha Rounds-Watson, a 30-year advocate for nursing excellence in gerontological nursing and currently serves as Magnet Coordinator at Newport Hospital Rhode Island. In her career, she has been responsible for a broad range of geriatric initiatives for frail elders at acute care hospitals and in community settings.  

Dr. Skinner, certified in rehabilitation, wound care, and foot care, is a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner and currently serves as the President of the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs. She enjoys working with other VA nurses who support the advancement of nursing and strive to provide quality care to those Veterans who have served America.

Dr. Ordona, President of the Northern California Chapter of GAPNA, is a Nurse Practitioner in private practice focused on home-based primary care for the homebound older adult population. He conducts and supports research and translation of evidence into practice that addresses the needs of the vulnerable homebound elderly.

Joyce Sensmeier is the Senior Advisor, Informatics at HIMSS where she provides thought leadership for clinical informatics, interoperability and standards programs and initiatives.

Kathy M. Williams, ANCC certified in Medical-Surgical Nurse and Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, served Air Force active duty for 28 years. Currently, as a Master Clinician, she provides direct expert care on a fast-paced 22-specialty, 35-bed Multiservice Inpatient Unit. Kathy is also a Professor at Northwest Florida State College.

Captain Brian McDonough is an officer in the United States Public Health Service and is serving as a program manager in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  He is also the Team Leader for the National Incident Support Team - Alpha who provides incident management for disasters and special security events.

Along with being an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, Dr. Bell is a nurse scientist and family nurse practitioner, with expertise in disaster preparedness and response, community health and emergency care. She has been involved in recent deployments, such as Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, and the California wildfires.

Dr. Telhiard is the CNO and Senior VP for Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, leading it to achieve its 3rd Magnet Accreditation 2019, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, and Our Lady of the Lake Ascension. She is trained in the highest level of incident command and has served as Hospital Incident Commander for disasters.

Dr. Heuston, Meritus Health Chief Nursing Officer, led the organization to achieve Magnet^® recognition in 2019.  As a transformational leader, she championed strategies to reduce workplace violence. The Commission on Magnet Recognition deemed her leadership in workplace violence an exemplar.

Joyce Foresman-Capuzzi is a Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nursing Professional Development Specialist. Along with serving as an item writer for certification exams, a nurse residency facilitator, and adjunct faculty, she has helped develop a county wide pediatric simulation center and is a Fellow in the Academy of Emergency Nursing. 

Heather J. Eastman, employed with University of Iowa Health Care for twenty years, is an expert in pediatric nursing and the use of interactive clinical technologies to enhance the patient experience and improve staff workflows. She is a certified Pediatric Nurse and Basic Cardiac Life Support Instructor.

Dr. Miller currently holds a faculty appointment at Florida International University as a Clinical Assistant Professor. To bolster her clinical praxis, she holds a part-time appointment as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with the University of Miami Health Systems, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition. 

Dr. Adimando is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Southern CT State University, teaching in the BSN and MSN programs. She has also held a Board Certification as a PMHNP since 2006, practicing holistic psychiatry in various psychiatric settings of care.

Gina Burian, a Psychiatric Nurse since 1987, currently serves as the Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. She has helped patients and families in a variety of clinical settings including inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and emergency services.

Ahnyel Jones-Burkes, a student pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Chamberlain University, was recently promoted to assist in the creation of a clinical pathway for the health system. She also serves as the Director of Leadership and Professional Development on the Louisiana State Nurses Association’s Board.

Alyson Breisch, a nationally recognized consultant, educator, and mentor, achieved certification in Faith Community Nursing in 2015. She is lead editor for Faith Community Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice , second and third editions, as well as Co-chair of North Carolina Nurses Association FCN Council.

Amanda Kidd, a University of Virginia graduate, is a Quality and Transformations Administrator at Carilion Clinic and a Nursing Leadership Institute of Virginia fellow currently pursuing her doctorate. As a transformational leader, she has facilitated several large initiatives to promote patient-centered care.

Captain Andrea Petrovanie, board certified for more than 20 years and a Wagner College graduate, is the Senior Nurse Officer, Directorate for Branch Clinics, Naval Medical Center San Diego. She joined the Navy in 1991 and is a member of the Nominating Committee of the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing.

Crystal Barker has been passionately serving veterans at the Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center for 27 years. Currently she serves in the inpatient acute rehabilitation unit as Case Manager, touching lives and mentoring many.

Deborah Marks Conley, a Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist and Director of Geriatrics at Methodist Hospital, empowers nurses to achieve gerontological certification. During her 42-year career, she has influenced nursing practice and improved patient outcomes by implementing and sustaining geriatrics models of care.

Dr. Deborah Parris, a dedicated and enthusiastic professional with more than 20 years of experience in caring for pediatric patients and their families and advancing the profession of nursing, is committed to the implementation of evidence-based practice and mentoring. She utilizes her knowledge and skills to advance clinical practice.

Dr. Denise Ward is an Assistant Professor in the University of Utah College of Nursing and is the Director of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialty track in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. She has 30-plus years of working in emergency and critical care medicine, flight nursing, and family practice.

Dolores Elliott, nationally recognized for her contributions in alcohol addiction, is an Advance Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Oncology and Critical Care Service, NIH. She has a long history of supporting vulnerable, underserved populations by working in inner-city hospitals.

Dr. Elizabeth Gondek, ANCC certified in Informatics Nursing, is a leader in EHR implementations, strategic initiatives, and optimization, and is an Adjunct Faculty member teaching nursing informatics. She is an experienced Perioperative Staff Nurse, Orthopaedic Nursing and Patient Services Director, and a member of Sigma Theta Tau, ANIA.

Elizabeth Miller’s career is focused on educating and caring for underserved populations and mentoring early care and education program staff in the US and South Africa. She is an independently contracted nurse, honored to provide high-quality and diverse education.

Geraldine Collins-Bride, a Professor at UCSF School of Nursing, teaching NP students since 1992, is a primary care provider specializing in care for adults with developmental disabilities, including medically complex patients. She directs a nursing faculty practice focusing on primary care outreach for people with serious mental illness.

Dr. Jennifer Clifton is an Associate Professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing. For the past 14 years, she has cared for youth in Utah’s juvenile justice system (JJS). Dr. Clifton is an advocate for at-risk youth, both inside and outside the JJS.

Dr. Joanne Sherman Goldstein is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. As a clinician, educator, consultant, author, and entrepreneur, she believes that earning her nursing credentials provided the bedrock for her many contributions.

Lt. Colonel Dr. JoEllen Schimmels is the Program Director for the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program at the Uniformed Services University and has been on active duty in the Army for more than 20 years. She is also the Consultant to the Army Surgeon General for behavioral health nursing.

Judi E. Brungs is the Project Manager of the Behavioral Assistance Response Team, an innovative program that teaches non-psychiatric nursing staff de-escalation skills. She also manages a pioneering program that cares for substance use disorder patients requiring long-term inpatient IV antibiotic therapy.

Katherine Davis is the Head of Clinical Operations at Call9, an innovative healthcare technology company specializing in emergency and palliative care medicine. Davis has spent more than 15 years relentlessly pursuing opportunities to improve patient care and building systems and teams that effect change.

Kathy Meloche, the Pain Management Coordinator at Harper University Hospital for 22 years, advocates for education as the best analgesic . As a leading pain expert and resource, she is a true ambassador for pain management education. Kathy’s commitment to pain management extends to her license plate, which reads “PAINFREE.”

Kelley Muldoon Rieger, a PNP for 20 years, received her RN and MSN from Yale University. She is the COO of Show Me Your Stethoscope, a nursing organization with over 650,000 members, focused on empowering a nation of nurses to improve healthcare.

Dr. Launette Woolforde exemplifies NPD as a lifelong learner, as author of the NPD Scope and Standards , and in the many ways she advocates for nursing and NPD at Northwell Health and across the nation. She has created pathways for more than 16,000 nurses to achieve certification and transform their professional practice outcomes.

Lisa Adamek is a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner who pioneered a house call program at Mercy Medical Group in Sacramento, California. As a passionate servant leader and committed mentor for more than 16 years, her empathy and grit set the standard for delivering care to vulnerable seniors.

Dr. Marjorie McCullagh is a Professor and Director of the Occupational Health Nursing Program at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. Her work as a board-certified advanced public health nurse and certified occupational health nurse-specialist focuses on the prevention of adverse health effects of noise exposure.

Dr. Melissa King has 20-plus years of providing high- quality care to patients, including involvement in disaster responses. She serves as Chief Clinical Officer for eMD Telehealth Solutions, President of the Mississippi Board of Nursing, and Southeast Regional Director for the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners.

Dr. Michael Petty is the Cardiothoracic CNS at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. His work focuses on the care of patients with heart and lung disease. His research focuses on the impact of interventions for heart and lung disease on family caregivers.

Sandra Mintz is a Nurse Care Manager at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in the Division of Rheumatology. As a clinician, educator, researcher, and patient advocate, she is responsible for the coordination of care across the healthcare continuum for pediatric patients living with rheumatic diseases.

Shannon Morris has worked as an RN at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital for six years in both the Critical Care Float Pool and most recently in the Pediatric Emergency Department. She is also a Pediatric Nurse Lead on the Special Pathogens Unit at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

Dr. Sharon Farra is an Associate Professor at Wright State University and Director of the National Disaster Health Course. She is a funded researcher of disaster training. She also serves with the American Red Cross nursing leadership.

Trisha Deason is a Nurse Manager at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, where she provides leadership oversight for inpatient hem/onc, inpatient dialysis, infusion centers inhospital and clinic-based settings, vascular access nurse specialists, and a nurse-led bone marrow biopsy team.

Wendy Herrera is the RN Lead Coordinator for the Cardiac Cath Lab at Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg, Virginia. She has presented radiation reduction quality improvements to the 2018 Virginia Patient Safety Summit and for Cath Lab Accreditation by the ACC.