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 2024, 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.

Nurse standing and writing notes with "PACT" in text in the corner

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 2024, 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 recognitions within their career) Pin Awards:

1,604 nurses received the Blue PACT Pin Award.

959 nurses received the Silver PACT Pin Award.

578 nurses received the Gold PACT Pin Award.

18 nurses received the Platinum PACT Pin Award.

To nominate a nurse for the PACT award, email pact@utsouthwestern.edu.

Meritorious Service Awards 2024

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 2024 nurse recipients were:

Sharlene Banks, B.S.N., RN
Heart and Lung Clinic

Hannah Barentine, B.S.N., RN
7 Green, Solid Organ Transplant

Alissa Boyer, B.S.N., RN
Float Pool

Blair Boylan, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Cardio-Oncology Clinic

Taylor Branch, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Endocrine Weight Wellness

Tonya Brewer, B.S.N., RN
Weight Wellness Clinic

Manuel Cailing, B.S.N., RN, CCRN
9 Blue, CVICU

Marievic Canete, B.S.N., RN, RN-BC
6 Green, Surgical Specialty

Lizet Cantu, B.S.N., RN, PCCN
10 Blue, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

Lauren Chapman, B.S.N., RN, OCN
11 Green, Medical Oncology

Meredith Chick, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
12 Green, CUH Med-Surg

Jennifer Chon, B.S.N., RN
Multidisciplinary Surgery Clinic

Kimberley Crane, B.S.N., RN
8 Green, Pulmonary/Telemetry

Kendall Dickson, B.S.N., RN, PCCN
Float Pool

Benven D'Souza, B.S.N., RN
Ambulatory Psychiatry

Trisha Dubey, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC, NPD-BC
Executive Health Clinic

Jennifer Fuka, B.S.N., RN, CCRN-CSC
Clinical Education & Professional Development

Elpidio Garcia, RN
RedBird Clinic

Jimmie Jean Gentry, B.S.N., RN
Emergency Department

Briana Gomez, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
10 Green, CUH Med-Surg

Luzviminda Grafilo, RN, OCN
SCCC Richardson Infusion

Heather Hampton, B.S.N., RN, CRN
Imaging Services

Ethan Hanley, B.S.N., RN
2 Orange, Surgical ICU

Tracy Heineman, B.S.N., RN, CCRN
Rapid Response Team

Susie Hernandez, B.S.N., RN,
C-EFM
Clinical Education & Professional Development

Michelle Hickman, D.N.P., APRN, CPNP-PC
Children's Health Foster Care Clinic

Shelby Higginbotham, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Plastic Surgery Clinic

Laure Higgins, M.S.N., APRN, CPNP-AC/PC
Children's Health Pediatric Pulmonology

Jennifer Hill, M.S.N., APRN, CPNP-AC
Children's Health Pediatric Pulmonology Inpatient

Soyun (Catherine) Hong, B.S.N., RN, OCN
11 Orange, Surgical Oncology

Darbey Hood, B.S.N., RN
10 Blue, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

Angelica Infante, B.S.N., RN, CNOR
Surgery CUH

Marvetta Jackson, LVN
Neurology Clinic

Leslie Jenkins, RN
Home Health

Kimberly Johnson, B.S.N., RN, CMSN
7 Green, Solid Organ Transplant

Keith Jones, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Ambulatory Float Pool

Angel Jyothi, M.S.N., RN, RNC-NIC
PCS Admin

Sable Kassahun, B.S.N., RN, MEDSURG-BC
Park Cities Rheumatology and Pain Management

Morgan Kelly, B.S.N., RN
11 Blue, Bone Marrow Transplant/Oncology

Travis Kelly, B.S.N., RN, OCN
Cancer Center Infusion Clinic

Erica Kinds, B.S.N., RN
Float Pool

Veronica Koger, M.S.N., B.S., RN, NE-BC
PCS Admin

Shannon Lim, B.S.N., RN
Apheresis

Anita Lin, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN, PMGT-BC
12 Green, CUH Med-Surg

Elena Lucas, B.S.N., RN, CCTC
Solid Organ Transplant Service

Chelsea MacHendrie, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
10 Green, CUH Med-Surg

Farzana Madhani, B.S.N., RN
Kidney and Liver Clinic

Maria Cristina Mananghya, B.S.N.
Dialysis

Rachel Mathews, B.S.N., RN
9 Green, Cardiology

Ranjitha Mathews, B.S.N., RN, GERO-BC
12 Blue, CUH Med-Surg

Jamie Merriman-Fish, B.S.N., RN
Clinical Education & Professional Development

Lupita Morgan, M.P.H., B.S.N., RN
Imaging Services (Interventional Radiology)

Sean Neufeldt, M.S.N., APRN, FNP-BC
Fort Worth Primary Care Clinic

Caitlin Ornelas, B.S.N., RN
Ambulatory Float Pool

Lilian Otieno, B.S.N., RN
Rapid Response Team

Shahram Pajuh, RN, AGACNP
3 Orange, NSICU

Christine Pepito, M.S.N., RN, ACM-RN
Utilization Review Nurse

Joanna Perez, B.S.N., RN
Emergency Department

Carley Porter, M.S.N., APRN, AGACNP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN
Colorectal Surgery/Multidisciplinary Surgery Clinic

Renea Powell, D.N.P., APRN, NNP-BC, CPNP-PC
Children's Health Neonatal ICU & Thrive Clinic

Julie Preston, B.S.N., RN, CRN
Imaging Services

Maziar Rahimi, M.S.N., RN, CEN
Emergency Department

Aurora Relampagos, RN, OCN
SCCC Richardson Infusion

Mariam Ruiz, B.S.N., RN
Ambulatory Float Pool

Carson Scheidler, B.S.N., RN
Zale 5

Ruth Schneider, M.S.N., APRN, ANP-BC
Cardiology

Christy Sebastian, B.S.N., RN
Zale 5

Sofia Sharieff, B.S.N., RN
7 Orange, CUH Med-Surg

Cristita Tagalog, B.S.N., RN
7 Orange, CUH Med-Surg

Ashley Tennis, M.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Clinical Education & Professional Development

Riya Thenayan, M.S.N., APRN, FNP-C
Cardiology

Shiji Thomas, B.S.N., RN, SCRN
8 Orange, ASU/EMU

Tamara Turner, B.S.N., RN, CNOR
Outpatient Surgery Center, Operating Room

Daniele Van Winkle, M.S.N., APRN, NNP-BC
CUH Neonatal ICU

Prigi Varghese, M.S.N., APRN, CPNP-PC
Children's Health Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Clinic

Emily Wangler, B.S.N., RN
11 Blue, Bone Marrow Transplant/Oncology

Adam Wenner, M.S.N., APRN, CPNP-AC
Children's Health Pediatric ICU

Crystal Wong, B.S.N., RN
10 Blue, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

Shanta Xiong, B.S.N., CCRN
PACU

Meagan Young, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Radiation Oncology

Shannon Young, RN
Emergency Department

Cara Zbylut, M.S.N., APRN, CPNP-PC/AC
Children's Health Pediatric Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

2024 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 2024 were:

Mercy Alexander, M.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Mineral Metabolism

Bridget Danso, B.S.N., RN, OCN
Moncrief Cancer Institute Infusion Clinic

Laura Perales, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
IMSS Endocrinology

Megha Shah, B.S.N., RN
10 Blue, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

D Magazine 2024 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 10 recipients of the 2024 D Magazine Excellence in Nursing Awards. They are:

Direct Patient Care

Gabrielle Gonzales, B.S.N., RN

Sheena John, B.S.N., RN

Kaitlyn Thomas, B.S.N., RN

Rhonda White, B.S.N., RN

Education/Research

Maria Crain, M.A., APRN,
CPNP-PC

Linda Denke, Ph.D., RN, CCRC

Leadership

Robert Castillo Jr., D.N.P., M.H.A., RN, CCRN, RT (R)(T)(ARRT)

Bradley Goettl, D.N.P., APRN, FNP-C, AGACNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP, FAAN

Christi Nguyen, D.N.P., RN, NEA-BC, CENP, FACHE, FAAN

Nancy Palacios, D.N.P., APRN, FNP-BC, NE-BC

2024 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, 79 UTSW nurses have been celebrated for their contributions to the nursing profession and communities they serve.

In 2024, UT Southwestern was honored to have 14 of our nurses receive this award:

Shelley Aleni, M.S.N., RN-BC

Carlo Carpio, B.S.N., RN, CCRN, CMC, CSC

Robert Castillo Jr., D.N.P., M.H.A., RN, CCRN, RT (R)(T)(ARRT)

Ruben Castillo, D.N.P., RN, CCRN

Kimberly Collier, B.S.N., RN, CNOR

Kelsey Davidson, B.S.N., RN

Kaitlyn Dupriest, B.S.N., RN, CCRN

Christopher McLarty, D.N.P., APRN, ACNP-BC

Lisa Smith, B.S.N., RN, CCRN

Charlene Stein, M.H.A., RN, OCN

Lija Thomas, M.S.N., RN

Shinto Thomas, M.S.N., RN, PCCN

Julie Varkey, M.S.N., RN, CMSRN

David Wyatt, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, CNOR, FAORN, FAAN

Great Nurses. Exceptional People.

2024 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 2024 were:

Charles Almin Alba, M.A.N., B.S.N., RN
Perianesthesia Unit-Based Educator
Clinical Education and Professional Development

Mercy Alexander, M.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
RN Supervisor
Mineral Metabolism Clinic

Nathan Bloom, B.S.N., RN, CNOR
Operating Room RN II
Surgical Services

Victor Gerard De Vera, B.S.N., RN, CCRN-CMC
Critical Care RN II
Surgical Intensive Care Unit,
2 Orange

Lindsay Dumas, B.S.N., RN
Critical Care Unit-Based Educator
7 Blue

Marlene Fernando, B.S.N., RN, CPAN
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit RN II
Surgical Services

Travis Gilmore, B.S.N., RN
RN II
Rapid Response Team

Sini John, B.S.N., RN, CCRN
Critical Care Nurse
Medical Intensive Care Unit, 8 Blue

Laura Johnson, M.S.N., RN, CMSRN, NPD-BC
Nurse Professional Development Practitioner
Clinical Education and Professional Development

Mazi Rahimi, M.S.N., B.S., RN, CEN
Registered Nurse
Emergency Department

Eric Spradling, B.S.N., RN
Behavior Response Nurse
Health System Nursing Operations, Workplace Violence Prevention Program

UTSW 2024 Nursing Excellence Awards

During Nurses Week, in May 2024, UTSW bestowed its ninth annual Nursing Excellence Awards. In all, 121 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 2024 Nursing Excellence Awards are:

Leader of Nursing Excellence Winner

Manju George, M.S.N., RN, CMSRN
7 Green Nurse Manager

Ambulatory Nursing Excellence Winner

Alison Isabelle, M.S., B.S.N., RN
Manager of Clinical Operations

Advanced Practice Nursing Excellence Winner

Michele Hickman, D.N.P., APRN, CPNP-PC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in the Children's Health Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence Clinic

Friend of Nursing Excellence Winner

Wykeesha Sims, M.F.A.
Marketing Specialist Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs

Clinical Educator of Nursing Excellence Winner

Ashley Tennis, M.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Clinical Nurse Educator, Ambulatory Operations

Inpatient Nursing Excellence Winner

Catherine Ocampo, B.S.N., RN, PMGT-BC, CCRN-CMC-CSC
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit

Rookie of the Year

Roseline Arihi, B.S.N., RN, RRT
General Hepatology Clinic

2024 APP Outstanding Achievement Awards

Advanced practice providers (APPs) make up a vital component of UT Southwestern’s workforce. These 1,067 individuals serve in a wide variety of roles, assisting patients and supporting their teammates at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, in clinics, and at partner health organizations including Children’s Health, Parkland Health, and Texas Health Resources (THR).

“APPs are critical to UTSW’s mission as they provide access and support the team-based approach to health care that is necessary in an increasingly complex health care environment,” said Christopher Roe, D.N.P., M.B.A., APRN, ACNP-BC, Adult Specialties Director for the Office of Advanced Practice Providers. “Their expertise and compassion help UTSW achieve excellence in health care and foster strong patient-provider relationships.”

During National Advanced Practice Provider Week in September, winners of the five APP Celebration Week Excellence Awards 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 2024 APP Champion.

The winners are: