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AANP State Award for Outstanding Contributions

Nominations for the State Award for Outstanding Contributions Are Now Closed.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners^® (AANP) empowers all nurse practitioners (NPs) to advance accessible, person-centered, equitable, high-quality health care for diverse communities through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership (PEARL). The AANP State Award for Outstanding Contributions recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence that supports the NP role in the areas of PEARL.

Nominations are now closed.

History

Founded in 1991, the State Awards for Excellence was established to recognize the extraordinary contributions of NPs. This annual recognition has honored deserving recipients who demonstrated excellence in clinical practice and have advanced the image, profile and visibility of NPs. In 1993, AANP created the Advocate State Award for Excellence to honor those who led efforts to advance legislation that has positively impacted NP practice and increased awareness and recognition of NPs.

In 2024, the AANP Awards program was once again reimagined and renamed the AANP State Awards for Outstanding Contributions. This is an annual award given to one deserving individual per state based on outlined criterion.

Who May Nominate?

Current individual AANP members.
Self-nominations will be accepted.

Nomination Process:

The open call for nominations takes place annually at the close of the AANP national conference.
Nominations are submitted online through the AANP website.
Consideration will only be given to nominations complete with all required information that was submitted by the published deadline.
Nominations received after the deadline date will not be accepted.

Eligibility Criteria*

Nominations may be submitted for an AANP member or non-member who demonstrates excellence in alignment with the mission and goals of AANP in the areas of practice, education, advocacy, research or leadership (PEARL).

The nominee has shown efforts to advance the image, profile, and visibility of NPs at the state level in four of the following areas:

Serves as a role model for professionalism and ethical approach in the health care setting and in community service.
Demonstrates a positive impact on health care delivery by fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Succeeds in building strategic partnerships, coalitions or alliances that have contributed to improved health care outcomes for individuals, families or communities.
Supports education by presenting at conferences, publishing and/or precepting students.
Engages in advocacy as a leader in policy issues in the legislative or regulatory arena that affect the NP role.
Utilizes or generates evidence-based research to enhance the quality-of-care NPs provide to patients, families or communities.
Has taken part in research that has influenced health care outcomes.
Mentors NPs and other stakeholders in health policy, practice or education.

*Previous State Award recipients are eligible for nomination after five years have lapsed from receiving an award.

Who is Ineligible?

Nominations that include groups and organizations cannot be submitted.
AANP elected leaders and staff (e.g. Board of Directors, Fellows Executive Committee, State Liaisons, Nomination Council and Awards Committee) cannot be nominated for the award.

Selection Committee

Each region will have a selection committee composed of the Region Director, three State Liaisons and an Awards Committee member. Each year, a call for State Liaison volunteers will be sent via the State Liaison listserv. Each selection committee will review and rank the submitted nominations of another region. If an eligible nominee is not identified, an award will not be given in that state for the award cycle. The Awards Committee will assign applications for review to the selection committees.

Award Package

Recipients will:

Be honored during the AANP State Awards for Outstanding Contributions Ceremony at the respective AANP national conference.
Receive a waiver of the national conference registration fee (workshops and additional fees not included).
Receive a professional photo with the AANP President.
Receive an award ribbon given at the beginning of conference.

Notification

Award recipients will be notified in early December of each award cycle.

Questions

For questions, contact governance@aanp.org.

Disclaimer:
*For elected officials, regulators, appointees, federal employees and military at both the state and federal levels (“government employee”), AANP cannot provide items of value. Individuals in these positions will receive public recognition and be presented with a certificate but will not receive additional items. If an awardee is a government employee and inadvertently receives an offer from AANP that includes additional benefits as part of an award, please alert staff immediately.

2026 State Award Recipients

Alabama

Kelley Borella, DNP, CRNP, WHNP-BC, FAANP

Arizona

Sun Wright, RN, APRN, DNP, FNP-C

Arkansas

Neil Langer, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CHC

California

Shelitha Campbell, DNP, MSN, BSN, APRN, FNP-BC, PHN

Colorado

Christina Mulkey, DNP, APRN, AGNP-C

Delaware

Stacy Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Florida

Jessica Pelkowski, DNP, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, ONP-C, FAANP, FNAON

Georgia

Joy King, DNP, MBA, APRN, NP-C, FAIHM

Hawaii

Berkeley Haney, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Idaho

Michelle Anderson, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP

Illinois

Carolyn Dickens, PhD, MBA, APRN-FPA, ACNP-BC, HFSA, FAANP, FAAN

Indiana

Megan Goetz, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Kentucky

Lela Baker, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, C-ONQS

Louisiana

Jennifer Lemoine, PhD, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC

Maine

Rachel Koransky-Matson, DNP, FNP-C, BC-ADM, CNE

Maryland

Patricia McMullen, PhD, JD, WHNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN

Michigan

Naila Russell, DNP, FNP-BC

Minnesota

Kimberly Heckmann, APRN, FNP-C

Mississippi

Amy Smith, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, CENP, FAANP, FACHE

Montana

Judy Lauridsen, FNP-BC, RN

Nebraska

Jill Reed, PhD, APRN-NP, FNP-BC

Nevada

Susan VanBeuge, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN

New Jersey

Marcel Kaganovskaya, DNP, PMHNP-BC, PMHNP-C, FNP-BC, FNP-C, CCRN, VA-BC, FNYAM

New Mexico

Kate Goldblum, MSN, RN, FNP

New York

Maria Pizzirusso, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC, AAHIVS

North Carolina

Jamie Rouse, DNP, AGNP-C, ACHPN, CLE

North Dakota

Stephanie Hendricks, DNP, FNP-C

Ohio

Janine Galeski, DNP, MA, APRN, FNP-BC, ACHPN-BC

Oklahoma

Cene' Livingston, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, IPP-C

Oregon

James Sims, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, NP-C, CENP

Pennsylvania

Donald Bucher, DNP, ACNP-BC, AGNP-C, FAANP

South Carolina

Stephanie Burgess, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN, FAANP

Tennessee

Andrea Sebastian, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC, AFN-C, SANE-P, DF-AFN

Texas

Shelagh Larson, DNP, WHNP, MSCP. IF, FAANP, FNPWH

Utah

Jennifer Clifton, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CCHP-A, CCHP-CP, FAANP

Virginia

Alysia Pack, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC

Washington

Cydne Marckmann, DNP, MN, RN, ARNP, FNP-BC, ANP-BC, FAANP

West Virginia

Melody Wilkinson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAANP, FAAN

Wyoming

Brenna Kirsch, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Past State Award Recipients

2025 State Award Recipients

Alabama

D'Ann Somerall, DNP, MAEd, CRNP, FNP-BC, FAANP

Alaska

Lois Rockcastle, APRN,FNP-BC

Arizona

Luis Fong, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Arkansas

Nykkia Sellers, DNP, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, CDCES

Colorado

Ingrid Johnson, DNP, MPP, RN, FAAN

Connecticut

Laura Prior, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC, CRN

Delaware

Roseann Velez, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP

District of Columbia

Amy Stewart, MSN, FNP-C

Florida

Deborah Tedesco, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, CBCN, AP-PMN, CWS, CPHQ, FNAP, FAANP

Georgia

Desiree Clement, DNP, APRN, CNM, FNP-BC, FACNM, FAANP, FAAN

Hawaii

Kari Wheeling, MPH, APRN, FNP-BC

Idaho

Sarah Sparks, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Illinois

Rebekkah Sobolewski, MSN, APN, ANP-BC

Indiana

Julia Rogers, DNP, APRN, CNS, FNP-BC, FAANP

Iowa

Maria Lofgren, DNP, ARNP, NNP-BC, PNP-PC, FAANP

Kansas

Laurel Short, DNP, FNP-C, AQH

Louisiana

Shantell Burns, DNP, APRN, CNEcl, PMHNP-BC, CCHP

Maryland

Carmel McComiskey, DNP, PPCNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN

Massachusetts

Monica Dube, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Michigan

Umeika Stephens, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC

Minnesota

Monica McDevitt, APRN, CNP

Mississippi

Deidra Thompson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC

Missouri

Renee Endicott, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Montana

Margaret Hammersla, PhD, ANP-BC

Nebraska

Stephanie Burge, DNP, APRN-BC, FNP

Nevada

Megan Pratt, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, GS-C

New Hampshire

Clarissa Michalak, DNP, ACNPC-AG, CCRN

New Jersey

Dawn Mutchko, DNP, APN, FNP-C, CENP, CGNC, EBP-C, CPHQ, CLSS-GB, FNAP

New Mexico

Whitney Steinmetz, DNP, FNP, RN

New York

Selena Gilles, DNP, ANP-BC, CNE-cl, ANEF. FNYAM, FNAP, FADLN, FAANP, FAAN

North Carolina

Maria Colandrea, DNP, NP-C, CORLN, FAANP, FFNMRCSI

North Dakota

Leah Neugebauer, MSN, FNP-C, WHNP-BC

Ohio

Marie Grosh, DNP, APRN-CNP, LNHA

Oregon

Lydia Bartholow, DNP, PMHNP, CARN-AP, FIAAN

Pennsylvania

Lorraine Bock, DNP, FNP-BC, ENP-BC, FAANP

Rhode Island

Gino Paolucci, DNP, ACNP-BC, ANVP-BC

South Carolina

Nikki Smith, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Tennessee

Lisa Beasley, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, AFN-C

Texas

Jessica Peck, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, CNL, FAANP, FAAN

U.S. Pacific Territory

Leticia Reyes, MSN, APRN-FNPC,RN

Utah

Valerie Flattes Ph.D., APRN, ANP-BC

Vermont

Michelle Wade, MSN/Ed, APRN, NP-C, ACNPC-AG, FAANP

Virginia

Amy Johnson, DNP, FNP-C

Washington

Marli Parobek, APRN, DNP, FNP, PMHNP

West Virginia

Donte Newsom, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Wisconsin

Tina Bettin, DNP, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, APNP, FAANP

Wyoming

Venessa Yoosook, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC/AC
2024 State Award Recipients

Alabama
Nurse Practitioner: Maggie Hughes
Advocate: Joy Deupree

Alaska
Nurse Practitioner: Marianne Johnstone-Petty
Advocate: Shannon Hilton

Arizona
Nurse Practitioner: Juliana Hall
Advocate: Amber Porter

Arkansas
Nurse Practitioner: Rebekka Amick
Advocate: John Burris

California
Nurse Practitioner: Theresa Mallick-Searle
Advocate: Stephanie Lewis

Colorado
Nurse Practitioner: Ashley Fry
Advocate: Laura Rosenthal

Connecticut
Nurse Practitioner: Brittania Liebla
Advocate: Joy Elwell

Delaware
Nurse Practitioner: Heather Milea
Advocate: Melissa Minor-Brown

District of Columbia
Nurse Practitioner: Barbara Dominguez
Advocate: Suzanne Thorne-Odem

Florida
Nurse Practitioner: Wendy Paracka
Advocate: Allison Carvajal

Georgia
Nurse Practitioner: Denotra Gaillard
Advocate: Janis Coffin

Hawaii
Nurse Practitioner: Miki Miura
Advocate: Carrie Oliveira

Idaho
Nurse Practitioner: Nichole Jeppesen
Advocate: Carolyn Corbett

Illinois
Nurse Practitioner: Mya Yee Nandar
Advocate: Amanda Connoyer

Indiana
Nurse Practitioner: Cindy Ledbetter
Advocate: Ambre Marr

Iowa
Nurse Practitioner: Lynette Cooper
Advocate: Mary Dirks

Kansas
Nurse Practitioner: Holly Cobb
Advocate: Richard Hilderbrand

Kentucky
Nurse Practitioner: Joyce Johnson
Advocate: Julie Adams

Louisiana
Nurse Practitioner: Lisa Bishop
Advocate: Kathy Baldridge

Maine
Nurse Practitioner: Courtney Pladsen
Advocate: Susan Doughty

Maryland
Nurse Practitioner: Lindsay Ward
Advocate: J. William Pitcher

Massachusetts
Nurse Practitioner: Amy Yentsch
Advocate: Paula Brooks

Michigan
Nurse Practitioner: Iris Zink
Advocate: Kristen Telfor

Minnesota
Nurse Practitioner: Julie Dahl
Advocate: Karla French-Baker

Mississippi
Nurse Practitioner: James Hawley
Advocate: Kenneth Hawkins

Missouri
Nurse Practitioner: Laura Kuensting
Advocate: Susan Kimble

Montana
Advocate: Sarah Shannon

Nebraska
Nurse Practitioner: Maria Douthett
Advocate: Tara Whitmire

Nevada
Nurse Practitioner: Michael Thompson
Advocate: Faisal Suba

New Hampshire
Nurse Practitioner: Bridget Linehan
Advocate: Sue Prentiss

New Jersey
Nurse Practitioner: Olivia Nicastro
Advocate: Sherry Greenberg

New Mexico
Nurse Practitioner: Elisa Lundin

New York
Nurse Practitioner: Brighid Gannon
Advocate: Heidi Yip

North Carolina
Nurse Practitioner: Briana Miller
Advocate: Terri Koson

North Dakota
Nurse Practitioner: Katlyn Dobberstein
Advocate: Sara Wiedrich

Ohio
Nurse Practitioner: Margaret Bobonich
Advocate: Bethany Parsell

Oklahoma
Nurse Practitioner: Joan Johnson

Oregon
Nurse Practitioner: Amelia Goff
Advocate: Earl Blumenauer

Pennsylvania
Nurse Practitioner: Maria Lanzi
Advocate: Adele Caruso

Puerto Rico
Nurse Practitioner: Paloma Ortiz
Advocate: Luis Cabrera-De la Mata

Rhode Island
Nurse Practitioner: Leanne Burke
Advocate: Pamela Lauria

South Carolina
Nurse Practitioner: Alison Sallings
Advocate: Jeannette Andrews

South Dakota
Advocate: Pamela Vanmeeteren

Tennessee
Nurse Practitioner: Diana Dedmon
Advocate: Ruth Kleinpell

Texas
Nurse Practitioner: Cynthia Weston
Advocate: Cesar Blanco

U.S. Pacific Territories:
Nurse Practitioner: Elizabeth Santos
Advocate: Samir Ambrale

U.S. Virgin Islands
Nurse Practitioner: Makeda Kamara
Advocate: Brittany Dawson

Utah
Nurse Practitioner: Zoe Robbins
Advocate: Julie Balk

Vermont
Nurse Practitioner: Eileen Murphy
Advocate: Katherine Goyette

Virginia
Nurse Practitioner: Rebekah Compton
Advocate: Roxann Robinson

Washington
Nurse Practitioner: Devyn Nixon
Advocate: Kumhee Ro

West Virginia
Nurse Practitioner: Rhonda Parker
Advocate: Kathie Brown

Wisconsin
Nurse Practitioner: Jean Roedl
Advocate: Barbara Nichols

Wyoming
Nurse Practitioner: Mary Burman
2023 State Award Recipients

Alabama
Nurse Practitioner: Carolyn Dolan
Advocate: Salisia Valentine

Alaska
Nurse Practitioner: Karen Friedl
Advocate: Dr. Megan Volkov

Arizona
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Lisa Kiser
Advocate: The Honorable Joanne Osborne

Arkansas
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Michelle Boone
Advocate: Dr. Emma Murray

California
Nurse Practitioner: Andrew Penn
Advocate: The Honorable Young Kim

Colorado
Nurse Practitioner: Amber Kohler
Advocate: Karen Zink

Connecticut
Nurse Practitioner: Lindsey Maloney
Advocate: The Honorable Vincent Candelora

Delaware
Nurse Practitioner: Nadya Julien
Advocate: Pamela Zickafoose

District of Columbia
Advocate: Cathy Hampton

Florida
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Debra Hain
Advocate: The Honorable Jason Shoaf

Georgia
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Dwayne Hooks
Advocate: Robin Pingeton

Hawaii
Nurse Practitioner: Kathleen Page
Advocate: Laura Trinkle

Idaho
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Kristy Crownhart
Advocate: Dr. Caroline Merritt

Illinois
Nurse Practitioner: April Odom

Indiana
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Julian Gallegos
Advocate: Tai Morrell

Iowa
Nurse Practitioner: Catherine Durflinger

Kansas
Nurse Practitioner: Amy Siple

Kentucky
Nurse Practitioner: Karen Scheich

Louisiana
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Elliot Myers
Advocate: The Honorable Joseph Stagni

Maine
Nurse Practitioner: Natalia Iantsevych
Advocate: Dr. Julie Jenkins

Maryland
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Margaret Rajnic
Advocate: Dr. Claire Bode

Massachusetts
Nurse Practitioner: Patricia Walker
Advocate: Karen Spilka

Michigan
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Beth Ammerman
Advocate: Dr. Ann Sheehan

Minnesota
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Jane Anderson
Advocate: Dr. Julie Sabo

Mississippi
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Christy Davis
Advocate: Dr. Tina Highfill

Missouri
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Carla Beckerle
Advocate: Dr. Kathleen Haycraft

Montana
Nurse Practitioner: Heidi Hunsucker

Nebraska
Nurse Practitioner: Kristi Eggers
Advocate: Terry Thomas

Nevada
Nurse Practitioner: Kelly Slaughter
Advocate: Dr. Cindy Pitlock

New Hampshire
Nurse Practitioner: Debra Fournier
Advocate: Marcy Ainslie

New Jersey
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Jeffrey Kwong
Advocate: Brenda Marshall

New Mexico
Nurse Practitioner: Michelle Peacock

New York
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Aluem Tark
Advocate: Dr. Allison Norful

North Carolina
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Ludrena Rodriguez
Advocate: The Honorable Philip Berger

North Dakota
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Kate Banley
Advocate: Dr. Allison Peltier

Ohio
Nurse Practitioner: Kimberly Brazee
Advocate: Dr. Mary Maloney

Oklahoma
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Gina Crawford
Advocate: Dr. Patricia Farmer

Oregon
Nurse Practitioner: Ellen Iwasaki
Advocate: Dr. Robin Virgin

Pennsylvania
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Kathleen Hirthler
Advocate: Dr. Mary Jo Cerepani

Puerto Rico
Nurse Practitioner: Lydia Soto
Advocate: Gloria Ortiz

Rhode Island
Nurse Practitioner: Jeanette Thibault
Advocate: Suzy Barcelos Winchester

South Carolina
Nurse Practitioner: Deana Freeman
Advocate: Dr. Deborah Hopla

South Dakota
Nurse Practitioner: Chelsie Promes
Advocate: Erin Tobin

Tennessee
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Brenda Dexter
Advocate: Dr. Pamela Jeffries

Texas
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Robin Hardwicke
Advocate: Ilaria Reyes

U.S. Virgin Islands
Nurse Practitioner: Naita Salmon
Advocate: Rene Crawford

Utah
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Melissa Hinton
Advocate: The Honorable Carol Moss

Vermont
Nurse Practitioner: Maureen Boardman
Advocate: The Honorable Peter Welch

Virginia
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Katie Katz
Advocate: Dr. Kimberly Bednar

Washington
Nurse Practitioner: Linda Van Hoff
Advocate: Devon Connor-Green

West Virginia
Advocate: Dr. Joe Ellington

Wisconsin
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Traci Snedden
Advocate: Robert Welch

Wyoming
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Kristen Johnson
Advocate: Dr. Kenda Huseby
2022 State Award Recipients

Alabama

Nurse Practitioner: Melanie Hallman
Advocate: Jim McClendon

Alaska

Nurse Practitioner: Tracey Wiese
Advocate: Stephanie Wrightsman-Birch

Arizona

Nurse Practitioner: Katie Wall
Advocate: Christy Pacheco

Arkansas

Nurse Practitioner: Rhonda Finnie
Advocate: Dave Wallace

California

Nurse Practitioner: Serena Arts
Advocate: Ron Ordona

Colorado

Nurse Practitioner: Sara Schaefer
Advocate: Colleen Whalen-Casper

Connecticut

Nurse Practitioner: Kim Gambino
Advocate: Kimberly Sandor

Delaware

Nurse Practitioner: Rebecca Hammond
Advocate: Susan Conaty-Buck

District of Columbia

Nurse Practitioner: Kathleen Malliarakis
Advocate: Lisa Covel

Florida

Nurse Practitioner: Monica Barfield
Advocate: Vicky Stone-Gale

Georgia

Nurse Practitioner: Regina Canty
Advocate: Lisa Eichelberger

Hawaii

Nurse Practitioner: Katrina Lu
Advocate: Mandi Cummings

Idaho

Nurse Practitioner: Melody Weaver
Advocate: Kristine Theis

Illinois

Nurse Practitioner: Ricki Loar
Advocate: Susan Swart

Indiana

Nurse Practitioner: Sonya Ruedlinger
Advocate: Caitlin Krouse

Iowa

Nurse Practitioner: Michelle Hunerdosse

Kansas

Nurse Practitioner: Jason Burk
Advocate: Dan Hawkins

Kentucky

Nurse Practitioner: Donna Isfort
Advocate: Scotty Combs

Louisiana

Nurse Practitioner: Erin Pierce
Advocate: Marc Matrana

Maine

Nurse Practitioner: Theresa Knowles
Advocate: Pamela Cahill

Maryland

Nurse Practitioner: Kamala Via
Advocate: Adelaide Eckardt

Massachusetts

Nurse Practitioner: Constance Flynn
Advocate: Ronald Mariano

Michigan

Nurse Practitioner: Jordana Latozas
Advocate: Jacquelen Timm

Minnesota

Nurse Practitioner: Jennifer Bold
Advocate: Natalie Mohammad

Mississippi

Nurse Practitioner: Derek Holt
Advocate: Russ Latino

Missouri

Nurse Practitioner: Maria Walls
Advocate: Heidi Lucas

Montana

Nurse Practitioner: Heidi Fritz
Advocate: David King
Nebraska

Nurse Practitioner: Kimberly Bland
Advocate: Douglass Haas

Nevada

Nurse Practitioner: Michelle Giddings-White
Advocate: Sally Miller

New Hampshire

Nurse Practitioner: Siobhan Benham
Advocate: Kimberlie Mohan

New Jersey

Nurse Practitioner: Maura Abbott
Advocate: Arthur DeSimone

New Mexico

Nurse Practitioner: Kathy Fresquez-Chavez
Advocate: Elaine Brightwater

New York

Nurse Practitioner: Margaret O'Donnell
Advocate: Evelyn Addo-Wallace

North Carolina

Nurse Practitioner: Ragan Johnson
Advocate: Gale Adcock

North Dakota

Nurse Practitioner: Mykell Barnacle
Advocate: Jenna Herman

Ohio

Nurse Practitioner: Tina Resser
Advocate: Jordan Bonomo

Oklahoma

Nurse Practitioner: Kristy Baker
Advocate: Lois Salmeron

Oregon

Nurse Practitioner: Noelle McLaughlin
Advocate: Rachel Prusak

Pennsylvania

Nurse Practitioner: Tarik Khan
Advocate: Lisa Boscola

Puerto Rico

Nurse Practitioner: Sylvia Pérez
Advocate: Angelica Matos-Rios

Rhode Island

Nurse Practitioner: Mary Lavin
Advocate: James McDonald

South Carolina

Nurse Practitioner: Margaret Johnson
Advocate: Brad Hutto

South Dakota

Nurse Practitioner: Deb Hickman
Advocate: Robin Arends

Tennessee

Nurse Practitioner: Bobby Bellflower
Advocate: Mavis Schorn

Texas

Nurse Practitioner: Alvin Mena Cantero
Advocate: Casey Haney

Utah

Nurse Practitioner: Kimberlee Bayless
Advocate: Doug Welton

Vermont

Nurse Practitioner: Emily LeVan
Advocate: Ellen Watson

Virginia

Nurse Practitioner: Carole Everhart
Advocate: Jennifer Kiggans

Washington

Nurse Practitioner: Marie Annette Brown
Advocate: Joelle Fathi

West Virginia

Nurse Practitioner: Anitra Ellis
Advocate: Heather Tully

Wisconsin

Nurse Practitioner: Rachael Cabral-Guevara
Advocate: Patrick Testin

Wyoming

Nurse Practitioner: Kathleen Petro
Advocate: Heith Waddell
2021 State Award Recipients

Alabama
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Aimee Holland
Advocate: Dr. Eileen Meyer

Alaska
Nurse Practitioner: Rachael Carlson
Advocate: Dr. Javid Kamali

Arizona
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Timian Godfrey
Advocate: Dr. Lydia Cohan

Arkansas
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Kimberly Hill
Advocate: Yvonia Finley

California
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Jennifer Ballard-Hernandez
Advocate: Assemb. Jim Wood

Colorado
Nurse Practitioner: Rebecca Garber
Advocate: Sen. Joann Ginal

Connecticut
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Lindita Vinca
Advocate: Dr. Lynn Rapsilber

Delaware
Nurse Practitioner: Ema Ndi
Advocate: Dr. James Gill

District of Columbia
Nurse Practitioner: Carolyn Summer
Advocate: Laura Worby

Florida
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Lucie Dlugasch
Advocate: Dr. Mai Kung

Georgia
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Heather Quaile
Advocate: Julianna McConnell

Hawaii
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Bradley Kuo
Advocate: Lee Ann Teshima

Idaho
Nurse Practitioner: Brad Bigford
Advocate: Cynthia Dalsing

Illinois
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Susan Corbridge
Advocate: Dr. Marie Lindsey

Indiana
Nurse Practitioner: Theresa Coyner
Advocate: Fmr. Rep. Cindy Kirchhofer

Iowa
Nurse Practitioner: Theresa Hohertz
Advocate: Cecilia (Jodi) Tomlonovic

Kansas
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Benjamin Cochran
Advocate: Elizabeth Patton

Kentucky
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Jessica Estes
Advocate: Carol Darwin

Louisiana
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Tavell Kindall
Advocate: Dr. Rebekah Gee

Maine
Nurse Practitioner: Sara Hayes
Advocate: Dr. Valerie Fuller

Maryland
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Elizabeth Galik
Advocate: Dr. Laurie Scudde

Massachusetts
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Julianne Nemes Walsh
Advocate: Gov. Charlie Baker

Michigan
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Mary Anne McCoy
Advocate: Patricia Wells

Minnesota
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Maria Ruud
Advocate: Sara Forrest

Mississippi
Nurse Practitioner: Stephanie Gale
Advocate: Dr. Wanda Stroupe

Missouri
Nurse Practitioner: Brandon Forester
Advocate: Sen. Eric Burlison

Montana
Nurse Practitioner: Valerie Anderson
Advocate: Kelly Gregory

Nebraska
Nurse Practitioner: Jenni Gallagher
Advocate: Cora Schrader

Nevada
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Cameron Duncan
Advocate: Sen. Joyce Woodhouse

New Hampshire
Nurse Practitioner: Mary Vigeant
Advocate: Dr. Wendy Wright

New Jersey
Nurse Practitioner: Elise Rohana
Advocate: Dr. Amita Avadhani

New Mexico
Nurse Practitioner: Vernon Osborn
Advocate: Dr. Gloria Doherty

New York
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Joan Miravite
Advocate: Dr. Colleen Walsh-Irwin

North Carolina
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Kathryn Kreider
Advocate: Comm. Josh Dobson

North Dakota
Nurse Practitioner: Andrea Klizer
Advocate: Dr. Adam Hohman

Ohio
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Carol Savrin
Advocate: Christine Williams

Oklahoma
Nurse Practitioner: Jayme Taylor
Advocate: Susan Brown

Oregon
Nurse Practitioner: Shelby Freed
Advocate: Dr. Benjamin Colburn

Pacific U.S. Territories
Nurse Practitioner: Sheri Tackett
Advocate: Kathleen Fernandez

Pennsylvania
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Deborah Pora
Advocate: Dr. Lorraine Bock

Puerto Rico
Nurse Practitioner: Iris Ramos
Advocate: Gladys Velez

Rhode Island
Nurse Practitioner: Carol Annunziata
Advocate: Matthew Roman

South Carolina
Nurse Practitioner: Kathleen Boone
Advocate: Judith Zink

South Dakota
Nurse Practitioner: Rebekka Klemme
Advocate: Dr. Abigail Gramlick-Mueller

Tennessee
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Heather Jackson
Advocate: Jennifer Conrad-Rendon

Texas
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Elizabeth Ellis
Advocate: Dr. Jessica Peck

Utah
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Michelle Litchman
Advocate: Dr. Beth Luthy

Vermont
Nurse Practitioner: Jeri Wohlberg
Advocate: Dan Bennett

Virginia
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Shelly Smith
Advocate: Dr. Carolyn Rutledge

Washington
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Diane Fuller Switzer
Advocate: Nancy Lawton

West Virginia
Nurse Practitioner: Joyce Wilson
Advocate: Dr. Toni DiChiacchio

Wisconsin
Nurse Practitioner: Dr. Maureen Greene
Advocate: Dr. Gina Bryan

Wyoming
Nurse Practitioner: Sarah-Anne Galloway
Advocate: Sen. Jeff Wasserburger
2020 State Award Recipients

Alabama
Nurse Practitioner: Lisa G. Rhodes
Advocate: Peggy Benson

Alaska
Nurse Practitioner: Kevin R. Trimble
Advocate: Charity Manwaring

Arizona
Nurse Practitioner: Cynthia Elliott
Advocate: Paula Christianson-Silva

Arkansas
Nurse Practitioner: Leonie C. DeClerk
Advocate: Karen Reynolds

California
Nurse Practitioner: Shelly S. de Peralta
Advocate: Jenny Veliz-Urzua

Colorado
Nurse Practitioner: Laura Hildebrand
Advocate: Amanda Brill

Connecticut
Nurse Practitioner: Kathleen Bonaventura
Advocate: Representative Sean Scanlon

District of Columbia
Nurse Practitioner: Alicia Baker
Advocate: Rachel Minahan

Delaware
Nurse Practitioner: Candace L. Sandal
Advocate: Leslie Verucci

Florida
Nurse Practitioner: Susan Hook
Advocate: Ruby Monica Sanford

Georgia
Nurse Practitioner: Samantha S. Tojino
Advocate: Molly Bachtel

Hawaii
Nurse Practitioner: Caroline Koley Stoner
Advocate: Joseph Humphry

Idaho
Nurse Practitioner: Amanda Draper
Advocate: Christine Mladenka

Illinois
Nurse Practitioner: Raechel Ferry-Rooney
Advocate: Maria Jefferson-Walker

Indiana
Nurse Practitioner: Cathy Cooper
Advocate: Senator Edward Charbonneau

Iowa
Nurse Practitioner: Sherry Buske

Kansas
Nurse Practitioner: Janelle D. Williamson
Advocate: Merilyn Douglass

Kentucky
Nurse Practitioner: Alyce Goodman Abraham
Advocate: Wendy Fletcher

Louisiana
Nurse Practitioner: Katrina E. Lloyd
Advocate: Michael Brown

Maine
Nurse Practitioner: Alane O’Connor
Advocate: U.S. Senator Angus King

Maryland
Nurse Practitioner: Deborah H. Jones-Shook
Advocate: Khalid Kurtom

Massachusetts
Nurse Practitioner: Patricia O’Brien
Advocate: Janet Sweeney Rico

Michigan
Nurse Practitioner: Sandra J. Cagle
Advocate: Joseph Bassett, MD (presented posthumously)

Minnesota
Nurse Practitioner: Mary T. Dierich
Advocate: Dianne Willer-Sly

Mississippi
Nurse Practitioner: Tearsanee Davis
Advocate: Robert Ware

Missouri
Nurse Practitioner: Christopher R. Hemmer
Advocate: Tammy Vandermolen

Montana
Nurse Practitioner: Jennifer K. Sofie
Advocate: Senator Terry Gauthier

Nebraska
Nurse Practitioner: Terry S. Thomas
Advocate: Marisa L’Heureux

Nevada
Nurse Practitioner: Diane M. McGinnis
Advocate: Alona Angosta

New Hampshire
Nurse Practitioner: Marilyn Daley
Advocate: Kathleen Kidder

New Jersey
Nurse Practitioner: William M. McLean
Advocate: Kathleen Gillespie

New Mexico
Nurse Practitioner: Tamaki “Kia” Harrold
Advocate: Amanda Conley

New York
Nurse Practitioner: Justin Waryold
Advocate: Aney Paul

North Carolina
Nurse Practitioner: Stephanie V. Brinson
Advocate: Schquthia Peacock

North Dakota
Nurse Practitioner: Melanie A. Schlittenhardt
Advocate: Tara Brandner

Ohio
Nurse Practitioner: Eric C. Snyder
Advocate: Michele Pirc

Oklahoma
Nurse Practitioner: Andrea N. Johns
Advocate: Benny Vanatta

Oregon
Nurse Practitioner: Jacqui Terrill Cooke
Advocate: Jessica Gregg

Pacific U.S. Territories
Nurse Practitioner: Carla Torres Haddock
Advocate: Kevin Hitosis

Pennsylvania
Nurse Practitioner: Ann M. Kriebel-Gasparro
Advocate: Janice Miller

Puerto Rico
Advocate: Joseph Colon

Rhode Island
Nurse Practitioner: Sharon N. Garber
Advocate: Denise Coppa

South Carolina
Nurse Practitioner: Jacqueline L. Baer
Advocate: Representative Gary Clary

South Dakota
Nurse Practitioner: Esther Masat Preszler
Advocate: Bryan Wermers

Tennessee
Nurse Practitioners: Nancy Appling
Advocate: Marilyn Dubree

Texas
Nurse Practitioner: Peggy J. Ostrander
Advocate: Erin Cusack

Utah
Nurse Practitioner: Michael Vreeland
Advocate: Representative James Dunnigan

Vermont
Nurse Practitioner: Megan L. O’Brien
Advocate: Bradley Berryhill

Virginia
Nurse Practitioner: Rebecca A. Bates
Advocate: HoChong Gilles

U.S. Virgin Islands
Nurse Practitioner: Cherian Joseph-JnoFinn
Advocate: Senator Janelle Sarauw

Washington
Nurse Practitioner: Jacquelyn K. Brolsma
Advocate: Justin Gill

West Virginia
Nurse Practitioner: Chad T. Hott
Advocate: Julie Huron

Wisconsin
Nurse Practitioner: Bonnie L. Nickasch
Advocate: Senator Devin LeMahieu

Wyoming
Nurse Practitioner: Kristina Davis
Advocate: Mary Burman