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The 2025 Virginia Nurses Foundation (VNF) Gala and Awards on Nov. 15 in Portsmouth, Virginia, honored nurses from across the Commonwealth — including many from UVA Health — for their exemplary practice and impact on patients and the nursing profession.

"UVA Health nurses being celebrated at the 2025 VNF Gala and Awards speaks volumes about their unwavering commitment to excellence," says VNF President Mesha Jones, DNP, RN, NEA- BC, Staffing Resource Office, Nurse Manager, UVA Health University Medical Center (below). "Their impact is felt not only in the care they deliver, but in the communities they uplift. Congratulations to each recipient and nominee."

“Our nurses are leaders in practice, education, and innovation," says Virginia Nurses Association President and VNF Vice President Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, UVA Health University Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer and UVA School of Nursing Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs (below, left). “I couldn’t have been more proud to see them being recognized for their accomplishments at this year's VNF Gala and Awards."

And the UVA Health honorees are:

VNF Leadership Excellence Awards

Recipients

• Nurse Educator Award: Amy Boitnott, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CPNP-PC, Assistant Professor of Nursing, UVA School of Nursing
• Nurse Educator Award: Sharon Bragg, DNP, RN, CCRN, Assistant Professor of Nursing, UVA School of Nursing
• Nurse Manager/Director Award: Shelly Dean, DNP, APRN, CNL, CPNP-PC, APP Director – Women’s, Children’s, & Psychiatry Services, UVA Health University Medical Center
• Direct Patient Care Leader - Patient Safety Award: Mimi Pohl, MSN, RN, OCN, Infusion Procedural Center, UVA Health University Medical Center

Finalists

• Direct Patient Care Leader - Patient Safety Award: Amy Johnston, MSN, CNS, RN, CNRN, AGCNS-BC, Advanced Practice Provider – Clinical Nurse Specialist, UVA Health University Medical Center
• Direct Patient Care Leader - Patient Experience Award: Kaitlin Vannatter, BSN, RN, UVA Health University Medical Center
• Nurse Educator Award: Emily Evans, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, Assistant Professor of Nursing, UVA School of Nursing
• Nurse Educator Award: Gretchen Wiersma, DNP, CNE, CHSE, RN, Assistant Professor of Nursing, UVA School of Nursing
• Nurse Educator Award: Chris Moubray, MSN, RN, AMB-BC, CNML, NPD-BC, Nursing Professional Development Clinical Leader, UVA Health University Medical Center 
• Nursing Informatics Award: Laurie Brock, MSN, RN, Nurse Informaticist, Specialist, UVA Health University Medical Center
• Nurse Manager/Director Award: Judy Kauffman, DNP, RN, CNN, Director of Cellular Therapy and Cancer Service Line Quality, UVA Health University Medical Center
• Nurse Manager/Director Award: Lorie Koch, BSN, RN, CRNI, Nurse Manager, UVA Health Continuum Home Health Care

Trailblazers

• Direct Patient Care Leader - Patient Experience Award: Fiona Reingruber, RN, Assistant Nurse Manager, UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center (right)
• Nurse Manager/Director Award: Devon Bloxsom, MSN, RN, Ambulatory Clinic Nurse Manager, UVA Health University Medical Center
• Nurse Manager/Director Award: Matthew Henrich, MSN, RN, Nurse Manager, UVA Health University Medical Center
• Nurse Manager/Director Award: Morgan Kaminski, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NEA-BC, Nurse Manager, UVA Health University Medical Center

Virginia Magnet Consortium Awards

Recipient

• Magnet Excellence in Empirical Outcomes Award: Jessica Duke, BSN, RN, CMSRN, Charge Nurse – Inpatient, UVA Health University Medical Center (below)

Nominees

• Magnet Excellence in Exemplary Professional Practice Award: Aimee Strong, MSN, APRN, ACNP, ANCC, Nurse Practitioner, Radiology, UVA Health University Medical Center
• Magnet Excellence in New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements Award: Susan Ketcham, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CPAN, Manager, Advanced Practice Provider – Clinical Nurse Specialist, UVA Health University Medical Center
• Magnet Excellence in Structural Empowerment Award: Michelle Dawson, MSN, APRN, AG-ACNP, APP Director, Education and Fellowships, UVA Health University Medical Center
• Magnet Excellence in Transformational Leadership Award: Joseph Hulsebusch, MSHA, BSN, RN, CGRN, Director, Outpatient Surgery Sites, UVA Health University Medical Center
• Magnet Excellence in Transformational Leadership Award: Kelly Morris, BSN, RN, OCN, Ambulatory Nurse Manager, UVA Health University Medical Center

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