2025 Excellence in Nursing Awards - Direct Care
Hannah Barentine
B.S.N., RN
RN II, 7 Green – Medical/Surgical
From her nominator: “Hannah’s dedication to holistic care stands out in a powerful moment with a palliative care family, where she not only provided medical updates but also sat with them, offering emotional support as they navigated their grief. Her ability to balance high standards of patient care with deep compassion, whether mentoring new nurses or fostering patient relationships, demonstrates a level of empathy and leadership that truly sets her apart in the field.”
Ashley Boothe
M.S., APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner – Neurological Surgery
From her nominator: “Ashley’s impact on her team and patient care goes beyond expectations. She dedicated 800 hours to training a new advanced practice provider, (APP), updated the orientation manual to make the process smoother, and worked to expand the team’s responsibilities, resulting in quicker care for patients. Through her mentorship and contributions to shaping policies, she has made a real difference in both how her colleagues work and the care patients receive.”
Rhyan Brown
M.S., APRN, CPNP-PC
Nurse Practitioner – Pediatric Nephrology
From her nominator: “Rhyan is the ‘cohesive glue’ for her patient population. When treatment options do not go as planned, she perseveres to find the best plan of care for the patient and family. She also has taken her passion for this population beyond the hospital walls by volunteering at an elementary school to educate students about kidney function. Her efforts to improve care and share knowledge have made a real difference in the lives of those around her.”
Danica Chaffin
RN, BMTCN
RN II, 11 Blue – Transplant and Cellular Therapy and Hematology-Oncology
From her nominator: “Danica pursued her passion for caring for others when she chose her specialty field and career, and she strives to ignite that same passion in those around her. This nurse created over a hundred resource flashcards to help her team better understand common treatment regimens. She also shares her expertise by helping write exam questions for future updated versions of a specialty certification test in her field and volunteers her time to support patients and families during difficult moments.”
Karis Chuah
B.S.N., RN, CCRN
RN II, 2 Orange – SICU
From her nominator: “Whether she’s educating the night-shift staff on best practices or navigating critical moments with compassion, Karis brings a rare blend of knowledge, kindness, and energy that impacts everyone around her. Despite the challenging circumstances and the hardships her patients faced, Karis was a beacon for others and imparted her irresistible optimism on every life she touched. Karis illustrates the gentle benevolence required of bedside nursing and serves as inspiration to those who witness her patient care.”
Virgilio “VJ” Cunanan
B.S.N., RN, BMTCN
RN II, 11 Blue – Bone & Marrow Transplant and Hematology-Oncology
From his nominator: “VJ is consistently praised by patients, who describe him as calming, patient with their questions, informative, always preparing them for what’s to come, amazing, thorough, and exceptional in going above and beyond. From championing fall prevention measures and new nursing informatics processes on his home unit and throughout the hospital, to holding a formal unit leadership role, he is willing to jump in and care for the team wherever needed. Whether it is mastering difficult skills, addressing policy issues, or handling service recovery, VJ will know what to do!”
Anna Jones
APRN, CPNP-PC/AC
Nurse Practitioner – Outpatient Cardiology
From her nominator: “As one of the nation’s first dedicated nurse practitioners for inpatient neurodevelopment, Anna played a crucial role in launching the Complex Cardiac Neurodevelopment Program over a decade ago. Anna’s passion for pediatric nursing, innovative thinking, and leadership have not only advanced the standards of care at the Children’s Health Heart Center but have also made a lasting difference in the lives of her patients and their families. She is often found involved in a variety of quality improvement projects throughout the hospital and is always eager to provide the best possible outcomes to her patients and their families.”
Ranjitha Mathews
B.S.N., RN, GERO-BC
RN II, 9 Blue – Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU), Critical Care Fellow
From her nominator: “From improving communication during handoffs to leading initiatives that prevent skin injuries, Ranjitha leads by example and is always seeking ways to contribute to the team’s success. She is often recognized by both peers and patients alike for her warm nature of mentoring, educating, and modeling nursing excellence. Her willingness to prioritize the mental well-being of her co-workers speaks volumes about her character and leadership.”
Aleyamma Ninan
B.S.N., RN, CCRN
RN II, 9 Blue – CVICU
From her nominator: “Aleyamma has significantly impacted our unit and organization by supporting the development and implementation of a nurse-led Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) program. Through her contributions, she has helped train new members to the program, ensuring that the nursing team is fully equipped to deliver high-quality care. Her efforts in supporting these initiatives have had a profound impact on both the organization’s standards of care and the nursing profession, ensuring that nurses are equipped with the expertise necessary to lead in critical care settings.”
Joanna Spahis
M.S.N., APRN, CNSC, ACGN
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist – Genetics/Down Syndrome
From her nominator: “Joanna has exemplified what it means to be a caring individual. She cares for each family as if they were her own. Joanna is a connector, making sure to forge and strengthen partnerships in the community that can assist and add needed resources to the patient families we serve. She celebrates with, grieves with, and walks alongside so many, creating an atmosphere of care and compassion wherever she goes. She remembers patients’ names, their experiences, and is the first to jump on a chat to congratulate another team member on an important milestone. The implementation of a Transition Program in the Down Syndrome clinic has become routine in our practice today, but it is only this way due to the tireless efforts that Joanna has put into forming this program throughout the years.”
Fatemeh Youssefi
Ph.D., RN, OCN
Oncology Nursing Supervisor, Transplant and Cellular Therapy Infusion Clinic
From her nominator: “Fatemeh’s years of experience in oncology have taught her to never shy away from a conversation that will help her patient’s quality of life. She brings a human element to each visit. In the past 10 years, she has also hosted numerous health literacy workshops for nurses, teaching them how to be culturally sensitive when giving directions and instructions to community members. Her commitment to professional development and community service continues to elevate the field of nursing and inspires those around her.”