American Nurses Foundation Announces 2026 Health Equity Awardees

Five nurses were recognized as champions of health equity in practice, research, education, and leadership.

SILVER SPRING, MD –  The American Nurses Foundation (ANF) announced the recipients of its inaugural Health Equity Awards at the Opportunity & Impact in Nursing Summit in Washington, D.C. Celebrated during the Summit’s evening welcome reception at the JW Marriott, five nurses were recognized for driving meaningful change in advancing health equity, reducing disparities, and championing diversity within the nursing profession.

• Ana Diallo, PhD, MPH, RN of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing ANF Health Equity Rising Star Awardee
  The Equity-Minded Rising Star Award is given to a student nurse or early career nurse whose contributions show promise for ongoing impact in reducing health disparities and advancing health equity.
  *Co-Sponsor: National League for Nursing
  

• Lydia Albuquerque, DNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FADNL, FNAP, FAAN, of William Patterson University, School of Nursing – ANF Health Equity Practice Awardee
  The Equity-Minded Practice Award is given to a nurse whose work with patients, families, and/or communities exemplifies efforts to reduce health disparities and advance health equity. These efforts demonstrate potential for impact and serve as a best practice.

• Bridgette M. Rice, PhD, MDiv, APRN, of Villanova University Fitzpatrick College of Nursing– ANF Health Equity Research Awardee
  The Equity-Minded Research Award is given to a nurse whose research contributes to the science and body of knowledge that advances health equity. The nominee is expected to have leveraged their role as an experienced and capable researcher to drive change and to inform healthcare practice and/or policy.
  *Co-Sponsor: American Academy of Nursing
  
  
• Suha Ballout, PhD, RN, FADLN, FAAN, of UW School of Nursing, WA –  ANF Health Equity Educator Awardee
  The Equity-Minded Educator Award is given to a nurse whose efforts demonstrate excellence in supporting a diverse nursing student body and inclusive learning practices, and whose teaching and/or curriculum design include topics that lead to the graduation of equity-minded nurses.
  *Co-Sponsor: American Association of Colleges of Nursing
  
  
• Camille Burnett, PhD, MPA, BScN, of Healthcare Improvement, MA – ANF Health Equity Leader Awardee
  The Equity-Minded Leader Award is given to a nurse serving as a catalyst for change at a systems or organization level. Their work addresses and dismantles policies and structures that contribute to disparities and inequities, helps create an overall climate of inclusion, and encourages the institution to focus on community needs.
  
  There will also be special equity award presentations on Friday and Saturday respectively:

• Health Equity Global Impact Award
  ANA president presenting the award to Agnes Nambozo – The nurse in Uganda who climbed a 1,000 ft. ladder with life-saving vaccines strapped to her back.
  
  
• Maryland Governor Wes Moore Health Equity Legacy Award presentation
  ANE Chief Executive Officer, Angela Beddoe, will be presenting the Health Equity Legacy Award to Maryland Governor Wes Moore honored for passing House Bill 783 that requires nurses and other healthcare professionals to complete implicit bias and structural racism training.
  
  

The Health Equity Awards are sponsored by ANF and made possible with national nursing partners including the American Academy of Nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the National League for Nursing. To learn more about the Opportunity & Impact Summit, please visit: https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/nurse-equity-summit/ .

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About the American Nurses Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Foundation inspires change and innovation by harnessing The Power of Nurses™ through strategic, nurse-led philanthropy. With its 501(c)(3) status, the foundation mobilizes critical resources to fund innovative research and support initiatives that advance nursing practice, education, and leadership. By forging intentional partnerships and providing targeted grants, the foundation empowers nurses to drive change within healthcare systems and communities. This commitment ensures that nurse-led solutions remain at the forefront of efforts to enhance care delivery and patient outcomes. https://www.nursingworld.org/foundation/