2026 Excellence in Nursing Awards - Leadership
Jose Alejandro-White
Ph.D., M.B.A., RN, NEA-BC, CCM, CNE, FACHE, FAAN
Nurse Scientist
From his nominator: “Jose brings more than 35 years of leadership at the local, state, national, and international levels. He served as Treasurer of Sigma Theta Tau International, a global nursing society, and is the first Hispanic person and first North Texan to run for President-Elect, broadening representation within global nursing leadership. Over the course of his career, he has led national professional associations and held senior leadership roles within both the Veterans Health Administration and the U.S. military. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the American College of Healthcare Executives, distinctions that reflect his influence on health policy and professional standards nationwide. Even in his work within executive leadership, he has remained active in clinical practice and embodies a lifelong dedication to the profession.”
Ramona Baucham
Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S.O.R.D., RN
Director, Magnet and Research
From her nominator: “Ramona’s leadership has shaped organizations and elevated nursing practice across North Texas. She has led three organizations to achieve Magnet status and serves as a director of the DAISY Award Program, ensuring hundreds of nurses are recognized for the care and kindness they provide. Her dedication to scholarship spans qualitative research, mentorship of evidence-based practice fellows, and the creation of a multisystem research consortium that fosters collaboration and elevates care delivery across systems. Beyond her achievements, she cultivates a culture of inclusivity. Colleagues describe her as a leader who resolves conflict with humility and checks on her team not once, but twice daily during times of personal crisis. Her empathy and commitment to others leave an enduring mark on the organizations she strengthens and the leaders she develops.”
Alicia Bosse
M.S.N., CMSRN, AMB-BC
Magnet Program Manager
From her nominator: “Alicia has transformed ambulatory nursing practice by identifying gaps others have overlooked and building solutions that change how care is delivered across more than 100 clinics. Now serving as Program Manager of Magnet, she continues to elevate professional standards while mentoring nurses and advancing digital health innovation. Nationally, she contributes to telehealth standards and shares scalable strategies that extend beyond her organization. Alicia elevates systems while empowering the nurses within them, redefining what leadership in nursing can look like.”
Dawn Brown
M.S.-M.A.S., RN, NE-BC
Director, Medical Services and Special Pathogens units
From her nominator: “Dawn’s innovation is grounded in listening and action. She created L3, Listen, Learn, Lead rounding to elevate frontline voices and build psychological safety, guided by her belief that you cannot change what you do not know. As project lead for hospital-wide Bedside Shift Report implementation, she united teams to improve communication and restore trust at the bedside, reshaping how care transitions are experienced by both nurses and patients. Colleagues credit her mentorship with giving them the confidence to pursue research and step into leadership. Her leadership blends strategic execution with genuine care for the people she serves.”
Kaitlyn Gore
M.S.N., RN, CCRN
Nurse Manager, 7 Zale Lipshy Pavilion – Medical-Surgical & 3rd Floor ICU
From her nominator: “Kaitlyn stepped into one of the most complex leadership assignments in our Health System and successfully launched two hospital units at the same time. She built workflows from the ground up and established a culture rooted in accountability and mutual respect. She approaches patient experience with the same intentionality. When she recognized that many patients did not have access to hygiene products that reflected their hair and skin needs, she led a systemwide change to make inclusive options standard practice. For her, the change was less about supplies and more about ensuring every patient felt seen and respected. That same mindset also shapes how she develops her team. Colleagues describe her as someone who sees potential in her team and helps bring it forward. Her leadership strengthens both the structure of care and the humanity within it.”
David Haggard
D.N.P., APRN, NNP-BC, NEA-BC, C-NPT, ANLC-N
Assistant Director of Advanced Practice Providers – Pediatric Specialties
From his nominator: “David has been foundational in shaping advanced practice at UT Southwestern. As a key leader in establishing the Office of Advanced Practice Providers, he helped build a pediatric service line that now supports more than 300 APPs. During a critical NICU staffing shortage, he returned to the bedside to care for patients and support his team, embodying his belief that leadership is defined by showing up when it matters most. His work has shaped the future of pediatric care and advanced practice, and his legacy continues to grow through every life he touches.”
Ethan Hanley
B.S.N., RN, CCRN
Assistant Nurse Manager, 2 Orange – Surgical ICU
From his nominator: “Ethan is a leader who strengthens both systems and people. From developing innovative preceptor assignment tools to improving multidisciplinary communication in the Surgical ICU, his work enhances education and patient safety. As a charge nurse, he leads calmly in high-acuity situations, earning recognition for his decisive actions during emergencies. Ethan’s mentorship, humility, and dedication to operational excellence make him a steady and trusted presence on every shift.”
Jerry Hoang
B.S.N., RN, CCRN
Clinical Nurse Manager
From his nominator: “Jerry leads with a steadiness that anchors both patients and staff. He often reminds his team to ‘lead to the value you want to grow,’ and that principle shapes everything he does. In one example, it was determined that a young patient had irreversible loss of all brain function, and their parents were thousands of miles away in Brazil. Jerry ensured the parents were present through video calls and arranged for hand molds to be created before organ procurement so the family would have something as a lasting memory of their child. In their darkest moment, Jerry helped the parents stay connected despite the distance. This is how he leads – with conviction and deep respect for every life entrusted to his care.”
Beena Johnson
M.S.N., RN, RN-BC
Nurse Manager, 6 Green – Surgical Specialty
From her nominator: “Beena has spent more than three decades in nursing, but what stands out most is the consistency of her leadership. She leads one of the hospital’s busiest units, setting a tone of calm and stability despite the fast pace of the work. During a complex admission involving a significant language barrier, she ensured interpreter services were present for rounds, then took the extra step of learning simple phrases in the patient’s native language so she could personally offer reassurance. It is her proactive, patient-centered mindset that truly sets her apart. ”
Manuel Phillip
D.N.A.P., CRNA
Interim Chief Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Clinical Staff Coordinator
From his nominator: “In a high-volume operating room where pace and pressure never let up, Manuel is a constant. As Interim Assistant Chief CRNA, he oversees complex staffing decisions with transparency and fairness, maintaining detailed logs so every assignment is equitable. In moments of short staffing, he transitions into whatever role is needed. He often reminds colleagues that their commitment is rooted in service, and he reflects that belief by remaining fully engaged in clinical care. After long surgical days, he still checks on patients in recovery, ensuring questions are answered and concerns addressed. His understated humor, delivered with a signature poker face, lightens tense moments while reinforcing trust. Manuel sets the standard for how this team shows up, for patients and for each other.”
Autumn Spencer
M.B.A., B.S.N., RN, CCRN, NPD-BC
OPAT Care Coordinator – Pharmacy Administration
From her nominator: “Autumn believes professional growth should be accessible to everyone on the care team. When she recognized that Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) had limited advancement pathways, she led the effort to align the PCT Clinical Ladder with the Nursing Clinical Ladder, fundamentally transforming how professional development is structured within our organization. She took the time to meet with PCTs monthly to walk through applications and make advancement feel achievable. She also reimagined PCT Week as a true celebration of excellence, creating space for recognition and pride among frontline staff. Whether strengthening support for various teams or reshaping competency standards, Autumn consistently turns insight into action, building systems that open doors for others.”