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This year’s statewide Virginia Nurses Foundation (VNF) Gala, held Nov. 23 in the Richmond, Virginia area, is extra special for many reasons:

• UVA Health University Medical Chief Nursing Officer Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN is President-Elect of the Virginia Nurses Association.
• Former UVA Health University Medical Center Nursing Professional Governance President Mesha Jones, RN, MS, the new VNF President-Elect, says, "Stepping into the role of president of the Virginia Nurses Foundation is an incredible honor. I’m excited for the year ahead as we advance the nursing profession and celebrate nurses across the Commonwealth. The annual Gala is especially meaningful — a chance to honor the passion, dedication, and impact of nurses while inspiring one another for the future of nursing in Virginia."
• UVA Health University Medical Center and UVA School of Nursing served as premier sponsors of the event.
• A record number of UVA Health nurses received recognition.

“Winners have been recognized for their stellar performance and the application of their professional role with patients, families, communities, and the interprofessional team," say co-emcees Baker, and VNF President Phyllis Whitehead, PhD, APRN, ACHPN, PMGT-BC, FNAP, FCNS, FAAN, Preceptor for UVA Health, and Clinical Ethicist and Palliative Medicine Clinical Nurse Specialist for Carilion Clinic. "Nominated by their Magnet organization and selected from an accomplished pool of candidates — these nurses demonstrate the highest level of professional practice.”

“We had an impressive presence at the gala this year!" says Jennifer “JT” Hall, MSN, RN, UVA Health University Medical Center Nursing Professional Governance Organization, Director, Professional Practice and Magnet Recognition Programs. “It is a huge honor and reflects the nursing leadership within the Commonwealth."

Congratulations to the award recipients and nominees for their exemplary practice and impact to our patients and nursing profession, and supporting our UVA Health mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond:

Virginia Nurses Foundation Leadership Excellence Award Recipients:

• Public Health Nursing: Elizabeth Carpenter, RN, BSN, AE-C, RNCC, International Family Medicine Clinic
• Direct Patient Care Leader - Patient Experience: Sarah Hartsock, BSN, RN, CPN, Pediatric RN Case Manager, UVA Continuum Home Health
• Nurse Manager/Director: William (Bill) Lombardi, DNP, RN, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, Administrator, UVA Center for Advanced Practice
• Direct Patient Care Leader - Patient Safety: Megan McDonald, RN, BSN, CNOR, UVA Orthopedic Center at Ivy Road
• Nurse Researcher: Claiborne Miller-Davis, MS, BA, BSN, RN, Nurse Researcher, UVA Health, Nursing Research
• Nurse Manager/Director: Kelly Walsh, MSN, RN, CNL, Director, Evidence-Based Practice Programs
• Trailblazers: April Howell, MSN, RN, NE BC, Ambulatory Director, Heart and Vascular, Nurse Manager/Director 

Virginia Nurses Foundation Leadership Excellence Award Nominees:

• Chief Nursing Officer of a Hospital: Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, Chief Nursing Officer, UVA Health University Medical Center
• Nurse Educator: Deanna Pototschnik, MSN, RN, CCRN, Nursing Professional Development Specialist, NPDS, UVA Health Children’s
• Nurse Manager/Director: Catherine Terrell, MSN, RN, OCN, Director Clinical Operations, UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center Service Line

Virginia Magnet Consortium Award Recipient: Nursing Excellence in Exemplary Professional Practice: Chris Kremer, BA, BSN, RN, CAPA, Outpatient Surgery Center (OPSC)

Virginia Magnet Consortium Award Nominees: 

• Empirical Outcomes: Scott Austin, BSN, RN, Inpatient Nursing Director, Oncology
• New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements: Michele Cousins, BSN, RN, PCCN, Neuro Intermediate Unit
• Structural Empowerment: Nicole Henley, RN, MSN, CCRN, NI-BC, Nurse Manager, Earn While You Learn Clinical Programs

In addition, Baker and UVA School of Nursing Dean Marianne Baernholdt, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, presented the 2024 VNF Nurse Research Award to UVA School of Nursing's Melissa Gomes, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNAP, FAAN, and the 2024 VNF "Trailblazer" Leadership Excellence Nurse Educator Award to UVA School of Nursing's Crystal Toll, EdD, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, PCCN.