American Nurses Association Announces 2026 National Award Winners
15 nurses will be honored in Washington D.C. for their unwavering commitment, exemplary practice, and notable achievements
SILVER SPRING, MD – Today the American Nurses Association (ANA) announced the recipients of the prestigious 2026 ANA National Awards, which recognize outstanding nurses and nurse champions for their vital contributions to the nursing profession and within the healthcare landscape. ANA will hold a ceremony on June 25 in Washington, D.C. to celebrate The Power of NursesTM, their extraordinary achievements and their meaningful contributions that have positively impacted the nursing profession.
AWARDS FOR NURSE EXEMPLARS
The Hall of Fame Award recognizes nurses for their commitment to the nursing field and their impact on the health and social history of the United States.
- Barbara Russell, MPH, BSHSA, RN, CIC, FAPIC, Florida Nurses Association
- Debra Toney, PhD, RN, FADLN, FAAN, Nevada Nurses Association (NCEMNA)
The Leadership in Ethics Award recognizes the dedication of nurses who live up to the highest principles of nursing ethics and demonstrate the pinnacle of ethical leadership standards and mentorship nursing practice.
- Susan Fowler, PhD, RN, CRRN, NE-BC, NPD-BC, FCNS, Florida Nurses Association
- Erica Mills, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, Georgia Nurses Association
AWARDS FOR DISTINGUISHED PRACTICE IN NURSING
The Distinguished Direct Patient Care Award recognizes an individual registered nurse who provides exemplary patient care and contributes to the advancement of nursing practice.
- Al-Zada Aguilar, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, NPD-BC, CNEcl, CCRN, New Jersey State Nurses Association
- Rebecca Dedufour, MSN, RN, CCRN, Connecticut Nurses Association
- Ben Valente, BSN, RN, CCRN-CMC, PCCN, GERO-BC, North Carolina Nurses Association
The Foundations of Nursing Practice Award recognizes an individual registered nurse for outstanding accomplishments in nursing research, nursing education, or nursing practice.
- Fernand De Los Reyes, PhD, RN, PMH-BC, ANA Only
- Theresa Gaffney, PhD, MPA, RN, CNE, Virginia Nurses Association
AWARDS FOR NURSE CHAMPIONS
The Advocacy Award recognizes an individual registered nurse who embraces the role of advocate as part of his/her professional identity.
- Janice Lanier, JD, RN, ANA-Ohio
- LaDonna Thomas, DNP, RN, ANP-C, VHA-CM, FFNMRCSI, FCN, North Carolina Nurses Association
AWARDS FOR NURSE PIONEERS
The Luther Christman Award recognizes substantial contributions made by an individual man in nursing to the profession in the areas of practice, research, education, public policy, and/or community service.
- David Keepnews, PhD, JD, MPH, RN, FAAN, ANEF, NEA-BC, Washington State Nurses Association
- David Ranck, MEd, RN, Pennsylvania Nurses Association
The Mary Mahoney Award recognizes significant contributions, made by an individual registered nurse or a group of registered nurses, to integration within the nursing profession.
- Vivienne McDaniel, DNP, MSN, RN, FADLN, Virginia Nurses Association
- Karen Rawls, PhD, MSN/Ed, RN, Georgia Nurses Association
“This year’s ANA National Award recipients represent the power, resilience, and vision of the nursing profession,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, President of the American Nurses Association “At a time when our healthcare system continues to face profound challenges, these honorees remind us of the extraordinary impact nurses have every day on our society. We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and honor the vital role nurses play in advancing health, equity, and excellence across our nation.”
The following awards did not receive nominations; therefore, a second call for nominations was made on February 6:
- The Early Career Nurse Leader Award
- The Public Health Service Award
- The Champion of Nursing Award
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About the American Nurses Association
As the oldest organization representing more than 5 million registered nurses, the American Nurses Association stands at the forefront of advancing nursing excellence. The association harnesses The Power of Nurses™ to champion the profession and drive transformation in healthcare. Through legislative and political advocacy, comprehensive educational services, and the profession’s leading Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards, the association empowers nurses across every specialty and practice setting. The association is committed to ensuring healthy work environments, shaping pioneering policies, and cultivating partnerships that enhance both the nursing profession and the broader healthcare experience.
MEDIA CONTACT: newsroom@ana.org