Kimberly Johnson, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
7 Green, Solid Organ Transplant
Awards and Recognition
The UT Southwestern Health System fosters the personal and professional excellence of nurses by recognizing their continuous efforts to advance practice, improve outcomes, and promote well-being. The administration of nursing excellence supports the ongoing professional development of nurses at all levels by advancing the practice of nurses and providing a platform to recognize and reward their achievements. The focus of those efforts is established through the collective work of sections within nursing excellence, including:
- Clinical Education and Professional Development
- Magnet Program Criteria (which encompasses Shared Governance)
- Nursing Research
- Rewards and Recognition
In 2025, the successes of our amazing nurses were recognized and rewarded in many ways, in part through accolades such as the awards that we proudly feature in this section.
The Rory Meyers Advanced Education Program for Nursing Excellence
Rose-Marie "Rory" Meyers was an expert nurse with a passion for giving to others in support of nursing education. As a first-generation college student who earned a degree in nursing, her experiences made her into a staunch advocate for those seeking to advance their education. A generous gift from the Meyers family allows for her philanthropic and humanitarian legacy to continue through annual scholarships. Each scholarship awards up to $10,000 per year for UT Southwestern nurses who meet eligibility and are selected by an internal panel of reviewers.
In keeping with Meyers’ mission, the funds can be used to pay for tuition, fees, supplies, and books for nurses pursuing an advanced degree, helping lift the financial burden of first-generation college graduates. In all, more than 86 qualified candidates completed applications for the fiscal year 2026 Rose-Marie “Rory” Meyers Advanced Education Program for Nursing Excellence scholarship, and recipients were selected by a committee of UTSW Health System nursing and operational leaders with applicant names blinded for the selection process.
The 24 outstanding awardees are:
Pursuing a B.S.N.:
Keyla Delacorta, NRCMA
Jade Marshall, B.S.
Pursuing an M.S.N.:
Samanta Allen, B.S.N., RN, CCRN
Michael Bausch, B.S.N., RN
Bethany Bonds, B.S.N., RN, CCRN
Anna Ellis, B.S.N., RN, CCRN, SCRN
Danielle Emmerton, B.S.N., RN
Serim Jeon, B.S.N., RN
Shamla Latheef Adam, M.S.H.R.M., B.S.N., RN
Anjali Perera, B.S.N., RN, CCRN
Layla Richardson, B.S.N., RN
Deanna Solis, B.S.N., RN
Tiara Stepp, B.A., B.S.N., RN, PMH-BC
Pursuing a D.N.P.:
Amy Brewer, M.S.N., RN, NEA-BC
Brandy Cole, M.S.N., RN
Jennyfer Garcia, M.S.N., RN AGPCNP-BC
Brianna Garza, B.S.N., RN, LSSGB
Verita Ingram, M.B.A., B.S.N., RN
Rachael Medrano, APRN, FNP-C
Mini Philip, AGACNP-BC, BC-ADM
Natalie Ramirez, B.S.N., RN, PMHN-BC
Jolly Varughese Thomas, M.S.N., RN, CCRN, NPD-BC
Calli Wood, M.S.N.-Ed., RN, NPD-BC
Pursuing a Ph.D. in Nursing:
Stephanie Georgoudiou, M.S.N., APRN, AGPCNP-BC, CWCN
PACT Awards
The PACT program recognizes employees who exhibit exceptional behaviors that achieve the goal of "excellence in patient care and customer service that we would be proud for our families, friends, and selves to receive." The program provides a way for patients, co-workers, and physicians to recognize PACT behaviors "on the spot" and is designed to create a culture of praise and recognition.
The PACT program is a campuswide initiative that goes on throughout the year and encourages employees, patients, and visitors to recognize staff and physicians for their demonstration of PACT standards, which are:
Problem Solving
To achieve excellence in patient care and service, we take ownership for solving problems through innovation and discovery to the satisfaction of patients, customers, or managers.
Ability, Attitude, and Accountability
We adhere to best practices in our daily work, honor the dignity and diversity of each person, and are accountable for our actions. We present and conduct ourselves in a professional and positive manner.
Communications and Compassion
All of our communications are open, clear, timely, and delivered with respect and confidentiality. We are sensitive to the physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and cultural needs of every individual.
Teamwork
We collaborate as one team to deliver patient-centered care with integrity, trust, and confidentiality. We value the exchange of diverse ideas.
Nurse PACT Awards
Nurses across the organization are recognized daily with PACT cards, submitted either electronically or on paper. In 2025, inpatient, ambulatory, and advanced practice nurses were honored in large numbers for receiving Blue (four recognitions), Silver (eight recognitions), Gold (16 recognitions), and Platinum (five Gold pins within their career) pin awards:
2,209 nurses received the Blue PACT Pin Award.
1,393 nurses received the Silver PACT Pin Award.
759 nurses received the Gold PACT Pin Award.
21 nurses received the Platinum PACT Pin Award.
To nominate a nurse for the PACT award, email pact@utsouthwestern.edu.
Meritorious Service Awards 2025
An important part of our culture of excellence is to recognize and reward those who have gone above and beyond in their work. The Meritorious Service Award is conferred annually to UT Southwestern nurses and other employees who have provided extraordinary service and care to our patients and demonstrated an excellent work ethic and performance. Employees throughout the system are recognized for this award and nominated by patients, families, clinical or departmental staff, or leadership. Nurses are often honored among the recipients, who both exemplify PACT standards and serve as role models to the campus.
The 2025 nurse recipients were:
Frances Andres, B.S.N., RN, CPAN
Outpatient Surgery Center, PACU
Maricel Antonio, B.S.N., RN
Imaging Services Nursing (CUH)
Jeremy Archer, B.S.N., RN
2 Orange, Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Judy Axberg, A.D.N.
Park Cities OB/Gyn
John Bennett, B.S.N., RN
Zale 3
Kyle Bilas, B.S.N., RN
Float Pool
Lesley Blalock, B.S.N., RN
Ambulatory Float Pool
Donna Blankenship, B.S.N., RN, OCN
Breast Medical Clinic
Wenhua Bloodworth, B.S.N., RN, CCRN, OCN, PCCN
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richardson/Plano Infusion Clinic
Mey Buentipo, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
6 Orange, Medicine Progressive Care
Michael Camaligan, B.S.N., RN
10 Blue, Heart-Lung
Anna Campbell, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
10 Green, Medical-Surgical
Joni Marie Canonigo, M.N., RN, MS-BC
7 Orange, Acute Surgical Unit
Amanda Carey, B.S.N., RN, PCCN
10 Blue, Heart-Lung
Emily Casal, B.S.N., RN
6 Orange, Medicine Progressive Care
Linto Chacko, B.S.N., RN
6 Green, Surgical Specialty
Damian Corona, B.S.N., RN
12 Green, Medical-Surgical
Yigzaw Dargie, B.S.N., RN
12 Orange, Medical-Surgical
Jermisha Davis, M.S.N., RN, MSCN, AMB-BC
Neurology Clinic
Janice Delapaz, M.S.N., RN
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richardson/Plano Infusion Clinic
Emily Deloa, B.S.N., RN
Transplant and Cellular Therapies Infusion
Nicole Dicus, LVN
UTSW Digestive and Liver Disease Clinic at THD
Caryl Dimaano, B.S.N., RN
CUH PACU
Erica Donckers, B.S.N., RN
Outpatient Surgery Center
Kaitlyn Dupriest, M.B.A., B.S.N., RN, SCRN
8 Orange, Acute Stroke Unit/Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
Nancy Gallardo, RN, CCRN, OCN
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richardson/Plano Infusion Clinic
Heather Gamble, B.S.N., RN
Emergency Department
Crystal Gayle, B.S.N., RN
Emergency Department
Elizabeth Godly, B.S.N., RN, CGRN
Endoscopy Lab
Kaitlyn Gore, M.S.N., RN, CCRN*
Zale 7
Darlene Graham, B.S.N., RN
8 Blue, Medical Intensive Care Unit
Annelise Gutschenritter, B.S.N., RN
CUH Surgery
Jordan Hampton, B.S.N., RN
Float Pool
Clarita Hangos, B.S.N., RN
8 Green, Pulmonary/Telemetry
McKenzie Helm, B.S.N., RN, OCN
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Mackenzie Horne, B.S.N., RN
6 Green, Surgical Specialty
Auston Huntington, B.S.N., RN, CCRN
7 Blue, Multispecialty ICU
Brittany Jennings, B.S.N., RN, CEN
Emergency Department
Alice Johnson, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
7 Green, Solid Organ Transplant
Judith Jose, B.S.N., RN, CCRN, TCRN
8 Blue, Medical Intensive Care Unit
Lisa Keovongphet, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
7 Green, Solid Organ Transplant
Suyeon Kim, B.S.N., RN
Day Surgery
Blair Lane, B.S.N., RN
Opioid Safety Team, Quality and Operational Excellence
Katherine Lucero, B.S.N., RN
Emergency Department
Cameron Martinez, B.S.N., RN
7 Green, Solid Organ Transplant
Claire McCoy, B.S.N., RN
Emergency Department
Nancy Meservey, B.S.N., RN
Endocrinology
Laarni Montero, B.S.N., RN, GERO-BC
12 Blue, Medical-Surgical
Ingrid Neifert, B.S.N., RN, OCN
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Brianna Nemons, M.S.N., RN, CCM
Utilization Management
Kathryn Nevinger, B.S.N., RN
Radiology Clinic
Megan Ngo-Ha, B.S.N., RN
2 Orange, Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Stephanie Parrish, B.S.N., RN
7 Blue, Multispecialty ICU
Emely Pena-Castro, B.S.N., RN
11 Green, Medical Oncology
Nimfa Pirote, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
12 Green, Medical-Surgical
Maricris Porcadilla, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
7 Orange, Medical-Surgical
Sarah Pressler, RN, AMB-BC
Ambulatory Nursing Professional Development
Abigail Puertas, B.S.N., RN
Emergency Department
Geoffrey Ramos, B.S.N., RN
Emergency Department
Alex Rippenkroeger, B.S.N., RN-BC
10 Green, Medical-Surgical
Lindsay Riskey, B.S.N., RN, SCRN
3 Orange, Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit
Jessica Roach, B.S.N., RN, CCRN*
8 Blue, Medical Intensive Care Unit
Miranda Rydeen, B.S.N., RN, OCN
Transplant and Cellular Therapies Clinic
Asha Samuel, M.S.N., RN
6 Green, Surgical Specialty
Vinita Samuel, B.S.N., RN, RN-BC
12 Orange, Medical-Surgical
Shamim Semy, B.S.N., RN
Heart and Lung Clinic
Ralph-Michael Sia, B.S.N., RN
Emergency Department
Kate Stanley, M.S., B.S.N., RN, CEN
Emergency Department
Lauren Tanner, B.S.N., RN
Apheresis
Ashley Thomas, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
7 Orange, Acute Surgical Unit
Laiby Thomas, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
7 Orange, Acute Surgical Unit
Alexandra Toombs, B.S.N., RN
Radiation Oncology
Cliff Torrence, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Ambulatory Float Pool
Autumn Tunstall, B.S.N., RN
Kidney Transplant Clinic
Nerissa Uy, B.S.N., RN, OCN
11 Orange, Surgical Oncology
Anie Varghese, B.S.N., RN
8 Green, Pulmonary/Telemetry
Claudette Waites, B.S.N., RN
Ambulatory Clinical Education & Professional Development
Elizabeth Wanyanga, B.S.N., RN, GERO-BC
Float Pool
Ramona Warkola, B.S.N., RN, OCN, BMTCN
11 Orange, Surgical Oncology
Rebecca Wilson, B.S.N., RN
Ambulatory Psychiatry
Kaitlyn Wineteer, B.S.N., RN
12 Green, Medical-Surgical
*Was not in current role at time of award.
2025 DAISY Awards
The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an autoimmune disease. After witnessing the skilled and compassionate nursing care Patrick received, the Barnes family created the DAISY Award to celebrate nurses for the profound and lasting impact they have on patients, families, and co-workers.
For more than 15 years, UTSW has partnered with the DAISY Foundation to honor nurses with the DAISY Award and to say “thank you” for the extraordinary work they do. The award committee selects nurses each quarter from a hospital or hospital-based clinic who exemplifies our mission. The recipient receives a DAISY Award pin, a Healer’s Touch hand-carved statue, and an award certificate. In addition, recognizing that excellence takes a team, the selected nurse’s unit receives a banner to post for the month and freshly baked sweet treats for everyone on the day the award is presented.
Any nurse working at UTSW can be nominated for the award. There are four different categories of DAISY Awards offered at UTSW, which are: the individual nurse award, the leader award, the team award, and the lifetime achievement award. To date, more than 100 nurses have been recognized as DAISY honorees at UTSW.
UT Southwestern DAISY honorees in 2025 were:
Leader Award
Individual Awards
Shanna Cronjé, B.S.N., RN, CWON
Wound Care
Darlene Graham, B.S.N., RN
8 Blue, Medical Intensive Care Unit
JiunYing “Jean” Liang, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
12 Green, Medical-Surgical
Hillary Logue, B.S.N., RN
HemOnc Infusion Clinic
Brandi Martin, RN
Neurology Clinic
D Magazine 2025 Excellence in Nursing Awards
Every year, several dozen nurses from across the Metroplex are awarded the D Magazine Excellence in Nursing Award. Nominations are received from across the region and address three questions regarding how nurses have affected the lives of others through their communities and profession. The editors select the best nominations and send them to a panel of esteemed registered nurses in various fields to choose the final awardees for the year.
The three categories are: Direct Patient Care, Education/Research, and Leadership.
UT Southwestern is proud to salute our 20 recipients of the 2025 D Magazine Excellence in Nursing Awards. They are:
Direct Patient Care
Hannah Barentine, B.S.N., RN
Ashley Boothe, M.S., APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-C
Rhyan Brown, M.S., APRN, CPNP-PC
Danica Chaffin, RN, BMTCN
Karis Chuah, B.S.N., RN, CCRN
Virgilio “VJ” Cunanan, B.S.N., RN, BMTCN
Anna Jones, APRN, CPNP-PC/AC
Ranjitha Mathews, B.S.N., RN, GERO-BC
Aleyamma Ninan, B.S.N., RN, CCRN
Joanna Spahis, M.S.N., APRN, CNS, ACGN
Fatemeh Youssefi, Ph.D., RN, OCN
Education/Research
Natalie Ramirez, B.S.N., RN, PMHN-BC
Leadership
Jennifer “Jenny” Agnew, B.S.N., RN, OCN
Paul Bossé, B.S.N., RN, CNML, CRRN
Thanh Cubria, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
Danielle Emmerton, B.S.N., RN
Emily Lattanzio, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Gloria Menard, M.S.N., RN, NE-BC
Kathrina Siaron, B.S.N., RN, CCRN, SCRN
Deshonna Taylor, D.N.P., RN, CCRN
2025 Dallas-Fort Worth Great 100 Nurses
The DFW Great 100 Nurses Celebration annually honors 100 registered nurses who are selected for being role models, leaders, community servants, compassionate caregivers, and significant contributors to the nursing profession. Historically, UT Southwestern as an organization has a high number of nurses honored among the top 100 RNs from the area. In the past decade, 93 UTSW nurses have been celebrated for their contributions to the nursing profession and communities they serve.
In 2025, UT Southwestern was honored to have 22 of our nurses receive this award.
Our recognized nurses this year are (above, from left): Richard Fernandez, M.S.N., RN; Amber Ulate, M.S.N., M.H.A., RN, NE-BC, CSSGB; Elizabeth Godly, B.S.N., RN, CGRN; Jennifer Agnew, B.S.N., RN, OCN, CRNI; Hazzel Gomez, M.S.N., CPAN, CAPA, NPD-BC; Kelly Baxter-Duke, B.S.N., RN; Mari Ann Lewis, M.S.N.-Ed., RN, AMB-BC, NPD-BC; Karen Beacham, M.S.N., CMSRN, AMB-BC; Cynthia Hill, M.S.N., RN; Deshonna Taylor, D.N.P., RN, CCRN; Rachel Faidley, M.S.N., RN, CEN; Ramona Baucham, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S.O.R.D., RN; Lauren Evans, M.S., B.S.N., RN; Travis Gilmore, B.S.N., RN, TNCC; Danica Fuerte, M.S.N., RN, NPD-BC; Emily Flahaven, M.S.N., RN; Christy Landtroop, B.S.N., RN; Annie Jojy, M.B.A., B.S.N., RN; Lauren Payne, B.S.N., RN; Rebecca Tutt, M.B.A.-H.C.M., B.S.N., RN; Donna Matheou, A.D.N., RN; and Sarah Staples, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC.
2025 Diana & Richard C. Strauss Awards
The Strauss Award recognizes employees from all clinical settings who exemplify excellent care and service in a professional and positive manner, dedication to teamwork, and compassion for patients, guests, and co-workers. The awards are presented quarterly throughout the calendar year. Nurse honorees in 2025 were:
Alicia Bosse, M.B.A., B.S.N., CMS-RN, AMB-RN
Clinical Nurse Educator
Ambulatory Nursing Operations
Stephanie Houser, M.S.N., RN, CCRN-CSC, E-AEC
ECMO Coordinator
William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
Courtney Little, B.S.N., RN
7 Green, Solid Organ Transplant
A. Karen Lowe, B.S.N., RN, RNC-OB, C-EFM
Assistant Nurse Manager
5 Blue, Labor & Delivery
Denise Maddox, M.S.C., B.S.N., RN
Nurse Coordinator
Neurology
Manuel Phillip, D.N.A.P., M.S.N., CRNA
Interim Assistant Chief Nurse Anesthetist
Anesthesiology
Delbretta Peterson, B.S.N., RN, RNC-OB
5 Blue, Labor and Delivery
Rosemary Phillips, RN
Triage Registered Nurse
Neurology
Lily Tredemeyer, B.S.N., RN
Operating Room Assistant Nurse Manager
Surgical Services Department at Clements University Hospital
UTSW 2025 Nursing Excellence Awards
During Nurses Week, in May 2025, UTSW bestowed its 10th annual Nursing Excellence Awards. In all, nearly 90 potential recipients were nominated by their peers for exemplifying what it is to be a role model, a leader, a compassionate caregiver, and a significant contributor who works to improve patient care and outcomes. Nominees notably make UT Southwestern and the community better through effective listening, inspiring others, actively participating, and showing devotion and compassion in caring for patients and their families.
The seven categories are: Leader of Nursing Excellence, Ambulatory Nursing Excellence, Advanced Practice Nursing Excellence, Friend of Nursing Excellence, Clinical Educator of Nursing Excellence, Inpatient Nursing Excellence, and Rookie of the Year.
The seven winners of the 2025 Nursing Excellence Awards are:
Leader of Nursing Excellence Winner
Reneé Willis, B.S.N., RN
Assistant Nurse Manager, 11 Blue
Ambulatory Nursing Excellence Winner
Mercy Alexander, M.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Nurse Supervisor, Mineral Metabolism Clinic
Advanced Practice Nursing Excellence Winner
Maria Crain, M.S.N., APRN, CPNP-PC
Food Allergy Center at Children’s and UTSW Food and Allergy Center at Plano
Friend of Nursing Excellence Winner
Lesley Barfknecht
Patient Navigator
Clinical Educator of Nursing Excellence Winner
Laura Johnson, M.S.N., RN, CMSRN, NPD-BC
Clinical Education and Professional Development
Inpatient Nursing Excellence Winner
Jiji Mathew, B.S.N., RN, PCCN
Assistant Nurse Manager, 8 Green
Rookie of the Year
Mary Wade Harris, B.S.N., RN
7 Green
2025 APP Outstanding Achievement Awards
The national Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Celebration Week is a dedicated week in September recognizing the invaluable contributions of APPs in the health care industry and involves a series of activities and events aimed at honoring the work of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives. The week serves as an opportunity to celebrate APPs’ expertise, dedication, and impact on patient care, as well as to promote collaboration and professional development within the advanced practice community.
During the week, six recipients were selected through a rigorous review of nominations received by UTSW’s APP Recognition Committee. They were chosen for making exceptional contributions in the areas of clinical practice, community service, leadership, scholarly endeavors, and teaching. Additionally, the committee chose a faculty member as the 2025 APP Champion.
The winners were:
Outstanding APP in Ambulatory Clinical Practice
Melissa Martin, APRN, CPNP-PC
Outstanding APP in Inpatient Clinical Practice
Veronica Torres, PA-C
Outstanding APP in Scholarly Endeavors
Daphna Zack, D.N.P., APRN, CPNP-PC
Outstanding APP in Teaching
Michael Sharma, PA-C
Outstanding APP in Leadership
Brooke Hays, APRN, AGNP-C
Outstanding APP in Professional & Community Service
Sandra Onyinanya, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC
APP Champion of the Year
Alexis Barina, M.D.
