Abigail Fuller, DNP, MSN, RN, CMSRN
Alanda White, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
Amy Gagnon, RN
Amy Pleshko, RNC-OB
Andrea Quintana RN, BSN
Annabella Prince, MSN, RN, CWCN, ET
Arlienita Beraya-Aramburu, MSN, RN, CNL, NPD-BC
Austin Maldonado, RN, BSN
Bertha Flores, PhD, APRN, WHNP-BC
Carmina Cardona, BSN, RN, CNML
Channing ZuaZua, RN
Crystal Cummings, ADN, RN
D’Anna Blevins, RN, MSN
Daniela Obrebski, RN, BSN, CCRN, HFCRN
Debbie Jennings, DNP, MSN, RN
Denise Sanchez, BSN, RN
Desirae Garcia, MSN, RN, CMSRN
Elvira Medina, RN
Genevieve Nguyen, BSN, RN
Glofer Dango, BSN, RN
Gregory Francois, MSN, RN, AMB-BC
Iam Alastaire Palgan, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Ify Nkemakolam, PMHNP-BC
Imee Paguio, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Irish Degollado, MSN-RN, CMSRN

Jacob Mathew, BSN, RN, CMSRN
James Cleveland, PhD, MSN, RN
Jennifer Shakespear, RN
Kimberly Alexander, BSN, RN
Lauren Ramirez, BSN, RN
Lindsey Winn, RN
Lisa Mendez, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Manolito Suriba Guerra, RN, MSN, MBA, HCM, CEN, CCRN
Maria Lourdes Cruz, MSN, RN, PMH-BC
Marika Woomer, BSN, RN
Mary Christine Graff, MSN, RN, PCCN, CMC
Mary Leblond, MSN, RN, CEN, CA-SANE, CP-SANE, FAEN
Mekdes Sirage, BSN, RN
Mildred Dadal, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Nkolika Anyaeji, RN, BSN, CGRN
Payton Valdez, BSN, RN
Rachelle Ganuelas, BSN, RN, MAN
Robin Francis, MSN, RN, PCCN, CPPS, CPHQ
Rozmin Jiwani, PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC, DipACLM
Samantha Alarcon, RN
Sandra Iracheta, RN
Seth Blundell MSN, RN, CMSRN
Sherry Megerle, MSN, RN
Wasana Mishelle Navinna Kottage, BSN, RN, RN-BC
Xochitl Gonzalez, LVN

2023 Best 25 Nurses Awardees

January 11, 2025
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

San Antonio Marriott Northwest Medical Center

Awarding of 2024 Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas

History

The Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas originally stemmed from an idea by P .K. Scheerle, a registered nurse and successful entrepreneur, who founded a similar event to recognize nurses in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1991, Beth Mancini, PhD, RN, Sarah Moody, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Lucy Norris, MS, RN, CENP and Judy Denison, MS, RN, NEA-BC worked with the community to create the DFW Great 25 Nurses.

The Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas started in 2018 through the efforts of Dr. Nelson Tuazon, then president of the South Central Texas Organization of Nurse Executives (now known as the South Central Texas for Nursing Leadership). In 2019, the San Antonio Nursing Consortium (SANC) began hosting the event. The celebration raises the awareness of the contributions of nurses to patient care, patient safety, research, leadership, education, and community service. Every year, an honoree is chosen from the Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas for Patient Safety. In 2022, we started selecting a nurse that demonstrates meaningful work on Environment Health and Environmental Justice. For 2023, we have included another special award, Innovation in Nursing!

Nomination

1. Nominations for the Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas can be submitted by anyone (patients, physicians, peers, or administrators) by completing the nomination form. 

2. Nomination starts: September 16, 2024; Closes: November 15, 2024.

3. The nomination letter MUST include a description of how the nominee has inspired, impacted, and influenced the nursing profession in their work.

4. The nomination should have a maximum of 500 words and should address each of the following selection criteria:
         a.) Role model;
         b.) Leadership qualities;
         c.) Service to the community;
         d.) Compassionate caregiver; and
         e.) Significant/ Innovative contributions to nursing.

Selection

1. Once all nominations are received, the narratives are collected, blinded, and sent to the judging committee.

2. Each nomination narrative is evaluated by three people (past Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas honorees) and is scored according to how well each selection criterion was addressed.

3. The Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas honorees will be selected for their contributions and how they have inspired, impacted, and influenced the nursing profession.

4. The scores of the three evaluators are averaged to get a final score.

5. The narratives garnering the top 25 average scores will make up the Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas honorees.

6. Special Awards: Three of the Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas honorees will be recognized for their work on:
   a.) Patient Safety;
   b.) Environmental Health/Environmental Justice; and
   c.) Innovation in Nursing.

Notification

1. The Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas honorees are sent a notification letter via email.

2. The employer of the honoree will be sent a notification letter via email as well. The employer will have the opportunity to comment on the honoree, if they choose to do so.

3. A response is requested from each honoree, and those who do not respond are also notified via phone.

4. The notification letter congratulates the honoree and gives them information about the awards ceremony and what is needed from everyone before the event.

5. Once all nominees have been notified, the list of Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas is released to the public via the website and social media outlets.

Platinum

Gold

Bronze

We are still welcoming sponsors. Please feel free to reach out to us at sanursingconsortium@gmail.com.