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Nurses across Delaware were nominated in various categories by their professional peers. The top nurses were verified through our editorial process.
Category winners are listed in bold.
Academic Educator
Xiaopeng Ji, PhD, MSN, MA, RN
University of Delaware School of Nursing
Kathleen Brewer-Smyth, PhD, MSN, RN, CRRN, FAAN
University of Delaware
Dawnyel Furlong, MSN, APRN, NP-C
Delaware Technical Community College
Jennifer Graber, EdD, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
University of Delaware
Catherine Heilferty, PhD, RN, CNE
University of Delaware
Kimberly Hopkins, MS, RN
Delaware Technical Community College
Diane Rudolphi, MS, RN
University of Delaware
Aaron Sebach, PhD, DNP, MBA, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, NP-C, CP-C, CEN, CPEN, CLNC, CNE, CNEcl, SFHM
Wilmington University
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Erin Dwyer, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-P, CCRN-K
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Dyane Bunnell, MSN, APRN, AOCNS, CPON, NPD-BC
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Felicia Cruz, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, RN-BC
Bayhealth
Laura Dechant, DNP, APRN, CCNS, CCRN, B-C, FCNS
ChristianaCare
Timothy Eden, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC, SCRN
ChristianaCare
Adeyoyin Esaka, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
ChristianaCare
Emily Link, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC
ChristianaCare
LaTonya Mann, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, OCN
Bayhealth Cancer Center
Julia Nutter, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Nurse Managed Primary Care Center of University of Delaware
Denise Pecora, MSN, APRN
Beebe Healthcare
Tara Pezzuto, DNP, APRN, CNS
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Ariana Powers, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-P
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Valerie Rebmann, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
ChristianaCare
Leasha Roy, MSN, MHA, APRN, ACCNS-AG, PCCN-K
ChristianaCare
Elizabeth Sargent, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, AGACNP-BC
ChristianaCare
Michael Szeliga, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CMSRN
ChristianaCare
Allison Thompson, MSN, APRN, PNP-AC, CCRN
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Deborah Warshawsky, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC, AACC
Bayhealth
Bradley Why, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Bancroft Behavioral Health
Advancing & Leading the Profession
Kellie Kessler, MSN, RN, CCRN
ChristianaCare
Kathleen Brewer-Smyth, PhD, MSN, RN, CRRN, FAAN
University of Delaware
Bridget Buckaloo, MSN, RN
Beebe Healthcare
Michelle L. Collins, DNP, APRN, CNS, ACNS-BC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, LSSBB
ChristianaCare
Virginia Conte, MSN, RN, CPN
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Lauren Covington, PhD, RN
University of Delaware School of Nursing
David Hancox, MSN, MHA, RN, NEA-BC
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Deborah “Debbie” Hines, MSN, RN, PCCN, CNML
Bayhealth
Kimkeshia Knight, MSN, RN-BC, CEN
Department of Veterans Affairs
Margaret LaFashia, MBA, BSN, RN, NPD-BC
Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley
Amanda Latina, MBA, MSN, RN, TCRN
ChristianaCare
K Starr Lynch, BSN, RNC-OB
Bayhealth
Stephanie McClellan, MBA, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NE-BC
Bayhealth
Melissa Minor-Brown, MSN, RN
University of Delaware, Delaware House of Representatives
Erin Mitchell, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNRN, SCRN
ChristianaCare
Donna Mower-Wade, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, CNRN
ChristianaCare
Mary Newman, MSN, RN, CPON, NE-BC
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Christopher Otto, MSN, RN, CHFN, PCCN, CCRN
Delaware Nurses Association
Kristen Palaisa, MSN, RNC-NIC
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Bridget Ryan, MSN, RN, CCRN
ChristianaCare
Jennifer Saylor, PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC
University of Delaware School of Nursing
Jessica Tagliaferro, MSN, RN, PCCN
ChristianaCare
Danielle Weber, MSN, MSM, RN-BC, NEA-BC
ChristianaCare
Laura Wedel, MSN, RNC-OB
Bayhealth
Ambulatory Care Nursing
Stacey Strazzella, BSN, RN
Transplant Coordinator, ChristianaCare
Constance Allen-Chapman, BSN, RN
RADfertility
Jenna Amador, RN
Westside Family Healthcare
Mary Kate Carroll, BSN, RN, CCRN-K
ChristianaCare
April Comley, BSN, RN
Beebe Healthcare
Heather Crumley, MSN, RN, PCCN
ChristianaCare
Jennifer Davis, MSN, RN
ChristianaCare
Stephanie DeMoe, BSN, RN, CPN
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Janene Ebaugh, MSN, RN, NCSN
Christina School District
Danny Hamm, MSN, RN
ChristianaCare
Karen Jones, BSN, RN
Smyrna School District
Krystal Little, MSM-HCA, MSN, RN, NCSN
East Dover Elementary
Beth Mattey, MSN, RN, NCSN, FNASN
Brandywine School District
Theresa “Shelley” McVey, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC
ChristianaCare
Kim Petrella, MSN, RNC-OB
Delaware Perinatal Quality Collaborative
Phyllis Whaler, MS, BSN, RN, NCSN
CAB Calloway School of the Arts
Case/Utilization Management
Valerie Bica, BSN, RN
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Patricia Buckalew-Bradley, RN, BSN, CCM RN
ChristianaCare
Donna DeFilippis, BSN, RN, ACM-RN
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Clare Shumate, BSN, RN
ChristianaCare
Clinical Educator
Karen Pickard, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE
Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing and Clinical Professional Development, Beebe Healthcare
Ann-Marie Baker, MSN, RN-BC
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Pamela Jenkins, MSN, RN, CPN, NPD-BC
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Noelle Johnson, MSN, RN, CNN, NPD-BC
ChristianaCare
Jennifer McGrath, MSN, RN, CDCES, LNC
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Jennifer Melvin, MSN, RN
Bayhealth
Kevin Nusspickel, MSN, APRN, CPNP-AC, CCRN
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Julia Nutter, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Nurse Managed Primary Care Center of University of Delaware
Wendy Radcliffe, MSN, RN, CEN, PCEN
Bayhealth
Gina Scott, MSN, RNC-OB,
ChristianaCare
Michelle Thompson, MSN, RN, PCCN
Bayhealth
Barbara Willey, MSN, RN, CDCES
Wilmington VA Medical Center
Katherine Zeccola, MSN, RN, CCRN
ChristianaCare
Home Health/Hospice/Telehealth
Wendy Strowhouer, RN
Case Manager, Compassionate Care Hospice, an Amedisys Company
Susan Conaty-Buck, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAANP
University of Delaware School of Nursing
Informatics
Dawn Robinson, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC
ChristianaCare
Connie Ajah-Ayang, MSN, RN
Bayhealth
Susan Conaty-Buck, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAANP
University of Delaware School of Nursing
Lydia Elliott, RN, CCRN
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Debra Howard, MSN, RN-BC
ChristianaCare
Amy Linzey, BSN, RN
Beebe Healthcare
Carmen Pal, MSN, MBA, RN
ChristianaCare
Kim Scott, MS, RN-BC (retired)
Bayhealth
Melette Tendongim, MS, BSN, RN
Wilmington VA Medical Center
Inpatient/Acute Care Nursing
Emily Gear, BSN, RN
ChristianaCare
Jackie Bates, BSN, RN, BCRN
ChristianaCare
Vikki Benson, MSN, RNC-OB
ChristianaCare
Ashton Biddle, BSN, RN
ChristianaCare
Amy Blacker, RN
Bayhealth
Abby Calvetti, BSN, RN
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Lindsey Clark, PhD, RN, PCCN
ChristianaCare
Kristen Deal, BSN, RN
ChristianaCare
Liza Draper, BSN, RN
ChristianaCare
Kiersten Edmondson, MSN, RN, PCCN
ChristianaCare
Susan Gildea, MSN, RN, CPHON
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Nicholas Gorman-Zolochik, BSN, RN
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Clare Grobelny, RN
ChristianaCare
Ingrid Hausner, BSN, RN, PCCN
ChristianaCare
Helen Hawrylack, MSN, RN, CCRN
ChristianaCare
Kristen Hover, BSN, RN, CCRN
ChristianaCare
Jessica Kucek, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Bayhealth (formerly)
Lara Kwetkauskie, BSN, RN, CEN, CVRN-BC
Beebe Healthcare
Whitney Lane, BSN, RNC-OB
ChristianaCare
Cory Legar, MSN, RN, CMSRN
Bayhealth
Kelsey McGonigle, BSN, RN, CPN
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Sara Meany, BSN, RN, CCRN
ChristianaCare
Tamyra Mosley, MSN, RN-BC, CCRN
ChristianaCare
Erin Mueller, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Daniel Pauley, BS, RN, CCRN, CTRN, CFRN
Beebe Healthcare
Devie Pawlak, RN
ChristianaCare
Melissa Phenix, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Bayhealth
Valerie Salmon, BSN, RN, GERO-BC
ChristianaCare
Melanie Sanchez, BSN, RN, CCRN, SCRN
Bayhealth
Anna Skrobot, BSN, RN, CPHON
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Samantha Steich, BSN, RN, CPN, CCRN
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Sarah Swan, MSN, RN, CCRN
Bayhealth
Albert Vayda, MSN, RN
Bayhealth
Christopher Weinacht, BSN, RN, PCCN
Christiana Care
Licensed Practical Nurse
Kenyette Walters, LPN
LPN, Moorings at Lewes
Renee Davis, LPN
Wilmington VA Medical Center
Donna Dixon, LPN, CBIS
Bayhealth
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
Bradley Why, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Bancroft Behavioral Health
Kathleen Brewer-Smyth, PhD, MSN, RN, CRRN, FAAN
University of Delaware
Caren Coffy-McCormick, DNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
University of Delaware
Jessica Conlan, BSN, RN
Meadowood Hospital
Julia Jordan, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
Serene Minds
Shawna Mayles, RN, SANE, DE-CMHS
Beebe Healthcare
Quality, Safety and Risk Management
Deb Friedman, MSN, RN, CPHON
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Sharon Baptiste-Brown, MSN, APRN, GNP-BC, PMP
GlaxoSmithKline
Marie Cassalia, MSN, RN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN-CSC, WTA
ChristianaCare
Sandra Glenn-Vernon, MS, RN, CCRN, NHDP
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Kelly Gray, BS, RN
ChristianaCare
Elisabeth (Lisa) Z. Klein, DNP, RNC-OB, RNC-LRN
Delaware Child Death Review Commission
Denise Lyons, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC
ChristianaCare
Jeanne Nichols-Willey, DNP, RN-BC, CIC, APRN, ACNS-RN
Bayhealth
Cynthia Waddington, MSN, RN, AOCN, NE-BC
ChristianaCare
Rehabilitation/Long-Term Care
Kathleen Brewer-Smyth, PhD, MSN, RN, CRRN, FAAN
University of Delaware
Sarah Howard, BSN, RN
Bayhealth
Finda Menjor-Kromah, BSN, RN, LNHA
Churchman Village
Volunteerism & Service
Jennifer Korkosz, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC
University of Delaware
Alexandra Colin, MSN, RN-BC, CCRN
ChristianaCare
Jennifer Graber, EdD, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
University of Delaware
Amy Hagstrom, PhD, RNC-NIC-E
University of Delaware
Jamila Richardson, BSN, RN, IBCLC
Nemours Children’s Hospital Delaware
Derek Sheets, RN, CDDN
Bayhealth
Nursing Newcomer
Ingrid Hausner, BSN, RN, PCCN
Registered Nurse, Cardiology, ChristianaCare
Devon Chew, BSN, RN
ChristianaCare
Clint King, RN
Bayhealth
Delana Ringer, RN
ChristianaCare
Kaprie Tserkis, RN
ChristianaCare
Samantha West, RN
Bayhealth
Nursing Legend
Evelyn Hayes, PhD, MPH, APRN, FNP-BC
University of Delaware
Winners were notified only after the results are verified and the list finalized. Affiliates of the nurses may choose to purchase advertising in this issue of Delaware Today, subsequent issues and/or other Delaware Today/Today Media Inc. titles, and they may choose to promote their achievements in those ads, but it has no bearing on the results. Unlike many referral publications and other services, Delaware Today does not include names suggested or recommended by readers. The list is based exclusively on balloting by practicing Delaware-licensed nurses. Delaware Today regrets that many excellent nurses do not make the list.
Related: Nurses in Delaware Can Now Open Primary Care Clinics