Connect

The UVA Health University Medical Center Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) Awards and Recognition Committee presented the 26th annual UVA Health University Medical Center Nursing Excellence Awards on May 12 at The Wool Factory in Charlottesville, Virginia. 

The event began with a social hour, followed by introductory remarks from NPGO President Clara Winfield, MSN, RN, CAPA, CNL, and NPGO President-Elect Megan Mundy, BSN, RN, CCRN.  

“This entire week has been filled with countless ways of showing our appreciation and gratitude toward our nurses — recognized for their compassion, skill, and dedication to the patients and families. This award ceremony is one of my favorite events of the year!” declares Winfield. 

“Remember that you are here because you went above and beyond your duties, impressing and inspiring someone so much that they were moved to nominate you,” Mundy shares with nominees. 

Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, interim CEO and Chief Nursing Officer, UVA Health University Medical Center, and Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, UVA School of Nursing, delivered the opening remarks: “Nursing is a profession where you never stand still. You are constantly growing — learning new evidence, adapting to new technologies and workflows, mentoring each other, and challenging yourselves to be even better for your patients. That dedication to lifelong learning is part of what makes this team so strong and what allows us to keep raising the bar.”  

“There are more than 150 nominations across 11 categories today — that means 150⁺ stories of excellence, leadership, collaboration, and compassion! Nursing excellence is not about an award. It's about what you do every day and how you do it, and the impact that has on the patient and their family!” 

Veronica Brill, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, announced the Friend of Nursing Award (physician) recipient as William Brady, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, Professor of Emergency Medicine and Cardiovascular Medicine and The David A Harrison Distinguished Educator at UVA School of Medicine, and Professor of Nursing at UVA School of Nursing. 

She presented the Friend of Nursing Award (non-physician) to Derek Wilson, Director of Facilities, UVA Health University Medical Center. 

Jason Lineen, MBA – Chief Strategy Officer, UVA Health and interim Chief, UVA Health Children’s, announced Anneke Boelens, BSN, RN, Newborn ICU, as the recipient of the Eloise Dodge Gould Pediatric Nurse Award. “Eloise passed away at the age of only 14 from a recurrent RMS sarcoma. Her parents created the award to honor their daughter and the extraordinary nurses who cared for her. Award recipients demonstrate compassion, empathy, kindness — critical, of course, when working with our youngest patients.” 

UVA Health University Medical Center Associate Chief Nursing Officer Rachel Nauman, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, presented the Exemplary Resident/Fellow Physician Award to Madeline Smoot, MD, Cardiology. 

Juanita Reigle, NP, APRN — In memory of her late husband, a NICU nurse for more than 20 years — presented the Thomas Buckley Memorial Endowment to NICU’s Heather Hastings, BSN, RN, RD, and Riley Spitnale, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, 

Marianne Baernholdt, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, Dean, UVA School of Nursing and UVA Health Professional Nursing, announced the three recipients of the UVA School of Nursing Outstanding Student Preceptor Awards:  

• Outstanding BSN Student Preceptor: Ashley Ferguson, BSN, RN, Staffing Resource Office 
• Outstanding CNL Student Preceptor: Mason Ellenberger, BSN, RN, Acute Cardiology  
• Outstanding APRN Student Preceptor: Kristi Kimpel Wilkins, MSN, APRN, CCNS, CCRN, Surgical Trauma ICU, who also earned the Evidence-Based Practice/Quality Improvement Award at the 2026 Annual Conference of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS). 

“We are deeply grateful for the community of nurses, mentors, managers, and administrators who support our students and advance the mission of UVA School of Nursing in countless ways,” says Dean Baearnholdt. “Among our 840-plus students, 75% of their clinical is in your institution. We couldn't do this without you!”  

Rebecca Harmon, BSN, RN, serves as Chair, and Annamarie Morris, BSN, RN, serves as Vice Chair, NPGO Awards and Recognition Committee: “We’ve had the privilege of watching this committee work together as a team to accomplish outstanding things, including delivering a record-breaking number of nominations, many nominees being offsite. This committee also has worked together to create a ceremony that’s put the recognition and celebration of our nominees first.”  

They presented the remaining 2026 Nursing Excellence Awards: 

• Beginning Practitioner of the Year: Lily Jarvis, ADN, RN, Infusion Procedural Center  
• Excellence in Relationship-Based Caring: Deanna Morales, BSN, RN, CDN, Renal Unit 
• Excellence in New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements: Hillary Bowen, MSN, RN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN, CEN, TCV-ICU, Evidence-Based Practice Programs 
• Exemplary Clinical Practice: Hope Duncan, BSN, RN, CVRN, Cardiac Transition Unit
• Licensed Practical Nurse of the Year: Nicole Maupin, LPN, Digestive Health Clinic   
• Nurse of Distinction: Val Wiseman, BSN, RN, CPN, Pediatric Hematology Oncology Battle Building  
• Preceptor of the Year: Emily Rennecker, BSN, RN, Thoracic Cardiovascular ICU 
• Transformational Leader: Christie Podbesek, BSN, RN, Medical ICU 

Congratulations to all the winners and the nominees. See the nominees and the photo gallery: