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The 2025 Nursing Excellence Awards — planned by UVA Health University Medical Center Nursing Professional Governance Organization’s Awards and Recognition Committee and supported by the Nursing Governance Office — took center stage at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Charlottesville, Virginia on May 8 during National Nurses Week. The theme: magic — as the 25th annual event revealed a record number of nominations — and magician Tyler Reed entertained the audience with sleights of hand!

‘Heart of UVA Health’

UVA Health University Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, called the ceremony "a time to pause and recognize the nurses who not only meet the highest standards — they set them.”

She adds, “It’s one of my greatest honors each year to stand before you and celebrate the heart of UVA Health: our nurses. I truly feel privileged to lead the best nursing organization out there! Each of you brings extraordinary skill, innovative thinking, and deep compassion to our patients and families.”

"This evening, we gather to celebrate and recognize our colleagues' outstanding contributions and achievements,” says UVA Health University Medical Center Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) President Danita Massie, MSN, RN, CNL. "Healthcare is a demanding profession that requires compassion, dedication, and a deep commitment to providing excellent patient care. To every nominee sitting here today — your impact on patient care is inspiring. I feel lucky and proud to be here with you this evening!"

“Our goal for this magical night is to make each and every one of you feel special, appreciated, and celebrated. And of course, to have a great time with friends, colleagues, and loved ones. None of this would be possible without the passionate nominators who took the time to recognize the nurses, advanced practitioners, physicians, and interdisciplinary colleagues who demonstrate kindness, excellence and dedication that support for our patients every day,” says NPGO President-Elect Clara Winfield, MSN, RN, CAPA, CNL. “Thank you, nominators, for demonstrating the same kindness, compassion, and dedication you show patients and their families each day in your efforts to nominate a colleague you work alongside.”

Impacting the Nursing Journey

UVA School of Nursing Dean Marianne Baernholdt, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, presented three UVA School of Nursing Awards: 

• Outstanding BSN Student Preceptor: Erin Fenerty, RN, Pediatric ICU
• Outstanding CNL Student Preceptor: Aradhana Khubani, RN, 7 Acute
• Outstanding APRN Student Preceptor: Dina Hood, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Emergency Department

Across the academic year, 335 preceptors across 75 sites around Virginia worked closely with both our pre- and post-licensure UVA nursing students who are learning to become nurses and advanced practice nurses. 

“In a nurse’s journey, there are many individuals who have an impact on them: patients, peers, family members, faculty members, but preceptors occupy a very special, sizable place,” says Dean Baernholdt. “The hours preceptors dedicate are impressive — nearly 140,000 hours of mentoring in the 2024-25 school year alone — but the confidence they give our nursing students is even more immense.” Read more.

In memory of her late husband — Juanita Reigle, NP, APRN, presented the Thomas Buckley Memorial Endowment to Ashley Walter, Clinical Nurse Leader, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The Eloise Dodge Gould Pediatric Nursing Education Award was presented to Laura Doshi, RNCC, Ambulatory Pediatrics, by Eloise's mother, Anne Gould, and Associate Chief Nursing Officer Karin Skeen, PhD, RN, NEA-BC.

More 2025 Nursing Excellence Award recipients are listed below:

Beginning Practitioner of the Year: Hali Morris, RN, Infusion Procedural Center (pending photo) | "She is a bright light to her patients and peers alike. Hali’s combination of practical knowledge, curiosity, and personal empathy make her an outstanding member of the healthcare team."

Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing: Stephanie Kidney, APP-ICU, Advanced Practice | "Stephanie empathetic approach ensures that each patient feels truly heard and cared for, as she patiently listens to their concerns and provides personalized care. Her extensive medical knowledge enables her to make informed decisions, balancing scientific precision with a warm, human touch."

Excellence in Interprofessional Collaboration: Dwayne Pitre, OTR/L, Occupational Therapy (pending photo) | "He and his team have truly enhanced the patient experience at Outpatient Surgery Center (OPSC), ensuring that shoulder surgery patients receive comprehensive and equitable care. His dedication, leadership, and collaborative spirit make him an outstanding candidate for this award!"

Excellence in Knowledge Development and Expansion: Austyn Bessette, RN, IV Team | "Austyn embodies the qualities of an outstanding nurse dedicated to knowledge development and expansion. Her passion for learning, commitment to excellence, and ability to inspire others make her a truly deserving candidate for this prestigious award. I wholeheartedly support nomination and believe that she will continue to make significant contributions to the field of nursing."

Excellence in Relationship-Based Caring: Kaitlin Vannatter, RN, NICU | "Kaitlin has never once complained and has been such a beacon of grace and strength. The baby and their family are always Kaitlin's number one priority. Kaitlin has an impressive ability to make you feel like you're the only person in the room. Kaitlin is a thorough, meticulous nurse in every aspect of her care, and especially in her initial head-to-toe assessment to start her shift."

Exemplary Clinical Practice: Justin Holnbeck, RN, Medical Intensive Care Unit | "Justin is the epitome of a well-rounded ICU nurse. He is intelligent, empathetic, a good communicator, and calm in any situation .... The MICU 'go to' person for anything knowledge-based or skill-related. He provides expert care to the most complex ICU patients while always collaborating with the care team. Justin does not limit his expert care to just his patient assignment, as he routinely jumps into urgent and emergent situations."

Exemplary Resident/Fellow Physician: Chelsea Miller, MD, HCP Resident, Sixth Year, Interns and Residents | "Chelsea consistently embodies the qualities that define an outstanding physician — kindness, empathy, dedication, and a relentless commitment to patient care and team growth. Chelsea’s compassion is evident in every interaction, whether with patients, families, or colleagues. She approaches each situation with understanding and patience, taking the time to truly listen and understand."

Licensed Practical Nurse of the Year: Thea Bierbaum, LPN, Cancer Clinics | "Thea is an exemplary LPN who has shown outstanding dedication to both patient care and her team at the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center. In the past year, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, clinical skills, resilience, and unwavering commitment to improving patient experiences. As a pivotal member of the pre-infusion team, Thea has worked tirelessly to ensure the best outcomes for both patients and team members."

Nurse of Distinction: Jessica Duke, Inpatient Charge Nurse, 3 Central | "Distinction describes character and qualities in a person that is demonstrated in their everyday life and behaviors. Jess serves as a model of distinction in every way! She is a charge nurse, NPGO chair, preceptor, nursing instructor, and advocate for patients and team members. Jess has a strong and memorable presence. She makes everyone she greets on our unit feel welcome and is ready to assist and support team members, including the interdisciplinary teams. Her passion for our unit and patients shines through in everything she does. To say that we are so lucky and proud to have Jess on 3 Central would be an understatement!"

Preceptor of the Year: Jen Yowell, RN, 5 West | "I think the most important virtue I saw in Jen as a role model was her compassion. I learned from her that a patient is more than their admitting diagnosis or the etiology of the hospitalization. I saw her treat her patient in the best way medically but also humanly. I’m certain I saw improvement in patient conditions just from the way Jen treated her patients as nurse and as a human being. She doesn’t just train new nurses; she teaches us to be the kind of nurse she would trust to care for her if she were a patient. No matter how much time passes, she continues to be there for us, ready with advice, encouragement, and even a well-timed laugh when we need it most!"

Transformational Leader: Mimi Pohl, RN, Infusion Procedural Center | "Mimi has been nothing short of incredible! She divides her time between working directly with patients on the floor and managing administrative duties, bringing a unique balance of hands-on care and strategic leadership. Mimi has truly empowered our team to excel across all areas. She’s known as our go-to expert, always ready to support any team member. Mimi’s influence has been seen in many other areas, including increased nurse certifications, higher blood product completion rates, enhanced training materials for new clinicians, and a significant boost in nurse satisfaction. Many of our nurses have advanced in their careers this year, thanks in large part to Mimi’s efforts!"

See the full list of 2025 nominees and view the Photo Gallery: