The nurses listed below are chosen by a survey of their professional peers. December through January, the Delaware Nurses Association with Delaware Today conducted a survey on its web site. The survey asked nurses across the state who they considered best in various areas of practice. Only Delaware-licensed nurses were able to vote. The top vote-getters are marked here by an asterisk. The survey is conducted, and winners verified, entirely by the Delaware Nurses Association and the editors of Delaware Today, with no help or influence from the advertising or marketing departments or outside agents.
Related: How Delaware’s Nursing Schools Are Evolving
Winners are 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 achievement 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.
For more information on our Excellence in Nursing event on May, 17, 2018, click here.
Academic Educator
Jacqueline W. Heneghan, EdD, RN
Instructor, Delaware Technical Community College Adjunct, Wilmington University
Christine R. Hoch, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC
Nursing Instructor, University of Delaware School of Nursing
Jenny L. Hughes, MSN, APN, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Managed Primary Care Center
Instructor, Doctorate of Nursing Practic Program, University of Delaware School of Nursing
Paula R. Klemm, PhD, RN
Director of Graduate Practice Programs, University of Delaware School of Nursing
Margaret O. McElligott, MSN, RN
Instructor of Nursing and Simulation Coordinator, Wesley College Department of Nursing
Rita J. Nutt, DNP, RN
Assistant Professor, Salisbury University
Tamala D. Paxton, RN-BC, MS, CNE
Assistant Professor, Wesley College Department of Nursing
Nancy D. Rubino, EdD, MN, RN-BC, CNE
Professor of Nursing and Director of Graduate Nursing Programs, Wesley College Department of Nursing
Diane Rudolphi, RN, MS
Clinical Non-Tenure Track Faculty and Adviser for the Student Nurses Organization, University of Delaware School of Nursing
Michelle Solimeo, MSN, RN-BC
Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Christiana Care Health System Institute for Learning, Leadership and Development (iLead)
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Dorothea M. Winter, PhD, RN
Professor of Nursing, Salisbury University
Advancing and Leading the Profession
Christine Babenko, MJ, MSN, RN, CHC, CCEP
Corporate Compliance Officer, Christiana Care Health System
Lynne E. Bayne, PhD, RN, APRN, NNP-BC
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children and Christiana Care Health System
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Monica M. Boyle, BSN, RN, NE-BC
Nurse Manager 3 West, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Tara Cooper, MSN, RN
Nurse Manager, Beebe Healthcare
Felicia N. Cruz, BSN, RN-BC
Clinical Practice Leader, Bayhealth Kent General Hospital
Ric Cuming, EdD, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Chief Nurse Executive, Christiana Care Health System
Devona Fields, MSN, RN, PCCN
Clinical Professional Development Manager and Pathway Coordinator, Beebe Healthcare
Kristen M. Foulk, MSN, MS, RN, PCCN, NE-BC
Nurse Manager, Trauma/Surgery/TSU, Christiana Care Health System
Shannon Guzman, RN, MSN, MS, RN-BC
Assistant Nurse Manager, Stroke Treatment and Recovery Unit, Christiana Care Health System
Kellie Kessler, MSN, RN, CCRN
Radiology Nurse Manager, Christiana Care Health System
Noreen Kessler, RN, MSN, CCRN
Clinician V, Critical Care Transport Team, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Anne M. Krouse, PhD, MBA, RN-BC
Professor and Associate Dean for Education and Practice, University of Delaware School of Nursing
Morgan J. Mast, MSN, RN, CNE
Nursing Instructor, Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing, Beebe Healthcare
Grace Ngamau, MSN, MSM/HCA, RN
Staff Nurse, Postpartum Unit, Christiana Care Health System
Rick Pessagno, DNP, APRN, FAANP
Psychiatric-End of Life Care Consultant and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner/Thanatologist, Meridian Behavioral Health
Candace L. Sandal, DNP, MBA, APRN, COHN-S, FAAOHN
Health Services Manager and Continuing Education Coordinator, Dow Chemical Company
CEO of Up and Away Travel Health
Aaron M. Sebach, DNP, MBA, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, CEN, CPEN
Chair, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, Wilmington University College of Health Professions
Marlo Silverio, MSN RN
Executive Nurse Leader in Nursing Education, Delaware Department of State, Delaware Veterans Home
Adjunct Nursing Instructor, Wilmington University College of Health Professions
Laura Smith, MSN, RN
Clinical Professional Development-Clinical Nurse Educator, Beebe Healthcare
Pamela J. Tyranski, RN, BSN, MBA
President, The Blackshire Group LLC
APRN
Stacey O. Bachman, MSN, CPNP-PC
Advanced Practice Nurse Supervisor, General Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, PICU, Emergency Department, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Lynne E. Bayne, PhD, RN, APRN, NNP-BC
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children and Christiana Care Health System
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Deborah Bryant, APRN, FNP-BC
Family Nurse Practitioner, Westside Family Healthcare
Stephanie W. Carver, MSN, PPCNP-BC, CPNP-AC
Pediatric Critical Care Advanced Practice Nurse, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Laura M. Dechant, DNP, APRN, CCRN, CCNS
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Heart, Vascular and Interventional Services, Christiana Care Health System
Elizabeth H. Frederick, RN, MHA, MSN, CCRN, ACNP-BC
Vascular Nurse Practitioner, Beebe Healthcare Vascular Services
Deborah A. Hassler, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, TCRN
Lead Trauma Nurse Practitioner, Christiana Care Health System
Nicole M. Heap, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Cardiovascular Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, Christiana Care Health System
Nancy K. Homan, MSN, MBA, MHS, APRN-BC
APN Perioperative Services, Christiana Care Health System
Charlene Madanat, FNP-C, MSN
BMG Hospitalist Group, Beebe Healthcare
Cyndi W. Martin, APRN, ANP-C, MSN, AOCNP
Nurse Practitioner, Bayhealth Hematology/Oncology Associates
Lisa Rossi McCalister, MSN, FNP-BC
Family Nurse Practitioner and Occupational Health/Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner, Bayhealth Medical Center Occupational Health/Urgent Care
Heather Panichelli, APRN, AGCNS-BC, MSN, CEN, CPEN
APRN/Clinical Nurse Specialist, Christiana Emergency Department, Christiana Care Health System
Joan Pirrung, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC
Director of Clinical Operations for Trauma at Christiana and Wilmington Hospitals, Christiana Care Health System
Maureen Springer, MSN, APRN-BC
Nurse Practitioner, Vascular Surgery, Christiana Care Health System
Bernadette Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner/Lead Healthcare Provider, Optum
Nicole Urban, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner, Christiana Care Health System
Behavioral Health
Rebecca L. Benson, DNP, PMHCNS-BC
Associate Professor of Nursing, Wesley College
Gregory D. Cooper, MSN, APRN-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Delaware Behavioral Health
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Rick Pessagno, DNP, APRN, FAANP
Psychiatric-End of Life Care Consultant and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner/Thanatologist, Meridian Behavioral Health
Aliesha S. Rivera, MSN, RN-C
Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Christiana Care Health System
Bradley Stanford Why, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Bancroft Behavioral Health
Tanya Wilson, LPN, RN, BSN, MSN, FNP
Advanced Practice Nurse, Brandywine Counseling & Community Services, Recovery Centers of America, Christiana Care Medical Aid Units-Christiana Care Health System, Connections Community Support Programs
Correctional Nursing
Carla C. Miller, MSN, APRN, CNP
Statewide Director of Clinical Services, Connections Community Support Programs
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Daniel J. Saxton, RN
Chronic Care Nurse Connections Community Support Programs
Lugenia Tillman, RN, BSN, CCHP
Infection Control Nurse, BLS CPR Instructor, Connections Community Support Programs
Case Management
Amanda Bertoncini, RN
Registered Nurse II, Emergency Department, Beebe Healthcare
Linda Daniel, RN, MSN, CPHQ
Director, Quality and Patient Safety, Women’s and Children’s Services, Christiana Care Health Services
Gwendolyn Ebbert, MSN, BA, RN, CPHQ, RN-BC, LSSGB
Nursing Quality and Safety Performance Improvement Program Manager, Christiana Care Health System
Lorraine Focht, RN, CRRN
Rehabilitation Nurse Case Manager, Center for Rehabilitation at Wilmington Hospital, Christiana Care Health System
Alyssa Hamm, BSN, RN-BC
Carelink CareNow Nurse Care Coordinator, Christiana Care Health System
Kathryn Hundley, MSN, RN
Risk Management Specialist, Beebe Healthcare
Janinne M. Latavitz, MSN, RN, CCM, IQCI
Manager of Care Management, Christiana Care Health Services
Georgiana Wall Ibach, MSN, RN
Utilization Review, Beebe Healthcare
Kelly McGillen, BSN, RN, CPN
Clinical Informatics Specialist, Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children
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Anna Nonnemacher, BSN, RN, PCCN
Patient Care Facilitator, Christiana Care Health System
Ginny Pugh, BSN, RN, OCN
Oncology Nurse Navigator, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute at Christiana Care Health System
Elizabeth A. Richardson, MSN, MPH, RN
Manager, Infection Prevention, Beebe Healthcare
Karen Sites, RN, BSN, OCN
Case Manager Supervisor, Christiana Care Health System
Jessi L. Wyatt, MSN, MBA, RN
Registered Nurse III, State of Delaware Child Development Watch
Home Health-Hospice Care
Elaine Ingram, RN
Home Health Nurse, Beebe Healthcare
Kiernan Quay, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, Beebe Healthcare
Kara Welcher, BSN, RN-BC
Community Nurse Liaison, Christiana Care Visiting Nurse Association
Inpatient
Justin W. Bartels, RN-BC, BSN, BA
Registered Nurse II, Wilmington Hospital 4/5 Medical, Christiana Care Health System
Patricia Bowker, BSN, RN, CCRN
Registered Nurse III, Staff Nurse MICU, Christiana Care Health System
Susan M. Bunting, RN
Charge Nurse and Systems Administrator, Beebe Healthcare
Hilary J. Chavis, MSN, RN, CLC
Mother/Baby Nurse, Christiana Care Health System
Margaret C. DeAngelis, RN, ADN
Clinical Nurse, III/ Stepdown Unit, Beebe Healthcare
Karin R. Emmett, BSN, RN, CNOR
Operating Room Nurse, Christiana Care Health Services
Abigail A. Greenage, RN, BSN, CNOR
Registered Nurse II, Christiana Care Health Services
Deborah A. Hassler, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, TCRN
Lead Trauma Nurse Practitioner, Christiana Care Health System
Crystal Hogate, MSN, RN, PCCN
Registered Nurse III, 6 South Stepdown, Wilmington Hospital, Christiana Care Health System
Nancy K. Homan, MSN, MBA, MHS, APRN-BC, APN
Perioperative Services, Christiana Care Health System
Paula Loder, BSN, RN-BC
Registered Nurse, Medical Surgical Unit, Christiana Care Health System
Deborah Lykens, MSN, RN-BC
​Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Christiana Care Health System
Jill Shore Petrone, BSN, RN, CCRN
Intensive Care Nurse, Beebe Healthcare
Kaci A. Rainey, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, Christiana Care Health System
Steven Rawheiser RN, BSN, CCRN
Charge Nurse-Staff Nurse, Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team, Nemours/Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children
Josie M. Robinson, RN, CEN
Registered Nurse, Trauma Clinical Leader Team, Christiana Emergency Department, Christiana Care Health System
Ca’ren Michelle Royal, BSN, RN
Registered Nurse, Christiana Care Health System
Kate Santry, BSN, RN
Clinical Coordinator, Emergency Department, Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital
Kelly A. Saville, BSN, RN-BC
Registered Nurse III, Christiana Care Health System
Jennifer Schulak, BSN, RN, CCRN
Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Christiana Care Health System
Jessica Schwartz, MSN, RN, PCCN
Registered Nurse III, Transitional Medical Unit, Christiana Care Health System
Everett C. Sparks, RN, COHN-S/CM, RN-WCCM
Senior Workers Compensation Case Manager, Anbar Consulting Inc. at W. L. Gore & Associates
Beth Street, BSN-BS
Registered Nurse, 5A Medical Surgical Stepdown Unit, Christiana Care Health System
Brooke Talbot, RN
Medical Surgical and Pediatric Registered Nurse, Beebe Healthcare
Kelli A. Troyer, BSN, RN, CEN, CCRN
Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Perianesthesia Fellowship Coordinator, Perianesthesia Services, Christiana Care Health System
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Adam Whitlock, MSN, MBA, RN, CTRN, CEN, CPEN, CCRN
Staff Nurse, Early Nurse Intervention Team, Beebe Healthcare
Karen M. Worthy, RN
Registered Nurse II, Christiana Care Health System
Taryn Zimmerman, RN, CCRN
Early Nurse Intervention Team, Beebe Healthcare
Legend
Joy A. Bartell, MSN, RN, CNE
Faculty (retired), Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing, Beebe Healthcare
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Kathy L. Micale, RN, BSN, CCRN-CSC
Retired, Christiana Care Health Services
Eleanor G. Allione, RN
Retired
Long-Term Care/Rehabilitiation
Sherine Eaddy, RN, CRRN
Registered Nurse, Christiana Care Health Services
Denise L. Lyons, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC
Clinical Nurse Specialist and WISH Program Manager, Christiana Care Health System
Marlo Silverio, MSN RN
Executive Nurse Leader in Nursing Education/Adjunct Nursing Instructor, State of Delaware Department of State, Delaware Veterans Home and Wilmington University College of Health Professions
Mentor
Deborah Bryant, APRN, FNP-BC
Family Nurse Practitioner, Westside Family Healthcare
Tracy Campbell, MSN, APRN, PCNS-BC, CCRN
Perioperative Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Hilary J. Chavis, MSN, RN, CLC
Mother/Baby Nurse, Christiana Care Health System
Martha Collins, RN-BC
Clinical Preceptor, Christiana Care Visiting Nurse Association
Darla Davidson, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing, Wesley College
Barbara L. Feeny, MSN, RN-BC, HN-BC
Staff Education Manager, Nursing School Faculty Affiliations Coordinator, Nursing Professional Development and Education, Institute for Learning, Leadership & Development (iLEAD), Christiana Care Health System
Kimberly J. Hollowell, MSN, CCHP-RN
Nursing Education Program Coordinator for Correctional Healthcare, Connections Community Support Programs
Mary Pat Laws, MSN, RN, CRRN
Registered Nurse III, Christiana Care Health System
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Nikkole Lee, MSN, RN, CCRN
Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Christiana Care Health Care Services
Deborah Lykens, MSN, RN-BC
Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Christiana Care Health System
Jessica Madiraca, MSN, RN, CNS, CCRN-K
Instructor, University of Delaware School of Nursing
Julie E. Miles, RN
Medical Surgical Nurse, Beebe Healthcare
Tara Miles, BSN, RN, CCRN
Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Christiana Care Health System
Grace Ngamau, MSN, MSM/HCA, RN
Staff Nurse, Postpartum Unit, Christiana Care Health System
Lorraine Nowakowski-Grier, DNP, MSN, APRN, BC, CDE
Inpatient Diabetes Nurse Practitioner, Christiana Care Health System
Heather Panichelli, APRN, AGCNS-BC, MSN, CEN, CPEN
APRN/Clinical Nurse Specialist, Christiana Emergency Department, Christiana Care Health System
Amy E. Sutor, MSN, RN-BC, CCRN
Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Christiana Care Health System
Brooke Talbot, RN
Medical Surgical and Pediatric Registered Nurse, Beebe Healthcare
Susan Volk, MSN, RN, CCRN, CPAN
Program Manager, POETS, Christiana Care Health System
Adam Whitlock, MSN, MBA, RN, CTRN, CEN, CPEN, CCRN
Staff Nurse, Early Nurse Intervention Team, Beebe Healthcare
Tricia Wingate, MSN, RN
Faculty, Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing, Beebe Healthcare
Pete Zingone, RN
Emergency Department Fellowship Coordinator, ENIT, Beebe Medical Center
Public Health
Kathleen Boyer, MSN, RN
Injury Prevention Coordinator, Christiana Care Health System
Deborah Bryant, APRN, FNP-BC
Family Nurse Practitioner, Westside Family Healthcare
Mary Ellen Dietz, RN
Staff Nurse, Christiana Care CareNow Medical Aid Units
Melissa A. Garvey, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CEN, CTRN
Family Nurse Practitioner, Christiana Care CareNow Medical Aid Units
Beatrice Gaynor, PhD, ARNP, FNP-C
Assistant Professor and Family Nurse Practitioner, University of Delaware School of Nursing
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Cynthia Griffin, RN, BSN, MS, CPHQ, CCM
Chief Nursing Officer, Community Care, Medical Group of Christiana Care Health System
Noreen Kessler, RN, MSN, CCRN
Clinician V, Critical Care Transport Team, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Karen A. Kleinschmidt, M.Ed., RN, NCSN
Lead Nurse, Christina School District
Colleen Matthews, RN
Medical Triage Nurse, Westside Family Healthcare
Gwen Pellicciotti, RN, PHRN
Critical Care Transport Nurse, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Lisl D. Phelps, RN, MSN
Nurse Consultant, Delaware Division of Public Health
Lisa Rohlfing, RN, BSN, MSN
Case Manager, AmeriHealth Caritas
Keeley Scott, BSN, RN
Nurse, Medical Group of Christiana Care, Health Care Center at Christiana
Jessi L. Wyatt, MSN, MBA, RN
Registered Nurse III, State of Delaware Child Development Watch
Volunteerism-Service
Ellen B. Coyle, MS, RN, PCCN
Assistant Nurse Manager, Christiana Care Health System
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Danielle Gomez, MSN, RN-BC
Surgical Critical Care Registered Nurse, Christiana Care Health System
Deborah A. Hassler, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, TCRN
Lead Trauma Nurse Practitioner, Christiana Care Health System
Danielle LeGates, RN
Registered Nurse, Labor and Delivery, Beebe Healthcare
Margaret O. McElligott, MSN, RN
Instructor of Nursing and Simulation Coordinator, Wesley College Department of Nursing
Melissa C. Minor-Brown, MSN, RN
Resident Services Director, Somerford House & Place of Newark
La Vaida Owens-White, MSN, RN
Faith Community Nurse, Ninth Ward Interfaith Clergy Coalition
Agnes Sax van der Weyden RN, CCRN, PHRN
Critical Care Transport Nurse, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
