13 Honorees to be Recognized for their Exceptional Leadership in Health Care

The American Nurses Association (ANA) today announced its 2020 National Awards recipients. ANA’s National Awards honor outstanding nurses and champions whose dedication and achievements have contributed significantly to the nursing profession and health care.
Globally, the nursing profession marks a milestone in 2020, as the World Health Organization has declared it the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife in honor of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.
“ANA is honored to celebrate the achievements of these nurses and champions, who are exemplary leaders and advocates, and whose contributions have advanced the field of nursing,” said ANA President Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN. “As we navigate the challenges of this pandemic, now more than ever, we need to recognize the vast contributions of nurses.”
This year’s recipients embody the anchors chosen to frame the Year of the Nurse: excellence, leadership and innovation. Three registered nurses will be inducted into ANA’s Hall of Fame. Nine registered nurses and one nurse champion will receive ANA’s Honorary Awards. A ceremony to honor the 13 award recipients will be held later this year.
Hall of Fame Award
ANA established the nursing Hall of Fame Award to recognize individual nurses’ commitments to the nursing field and their impact on the health and social history of the United States.
ANA is honored to induct three individuals to the Hall of Fame Award in 2020:
*Rose Constantino, PhD, JD, RN, FACFE, FAAN, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association
*Jeri Milstead, PhD, NEA-BC, FAAN, RN, Ohio Nurses Association
*Tim Porter-O’Grady, DM, EdD, APRN, FAAN, FACCWS, Georgia Nurses Association
Dr. Rose Constantino is an outstanding teacher and a powerful role model. She has engaged in local, state, national and international nursing organizations and other health-related organizations through direct patient care, impactful committee service and program development. Dr. Constantino’s distinguished service and exceptional leadership have guided and inspired peers and students.
Dr. Jeri Milstead is internationally recognized as a leader, educator and mentor, and her expertise is sought around the world. Dr. Milstead served on a four-member team that evaluated all BSN programs in Jordan. The results provided the foundation for developing a country-wide accreditation system that elevated nurse education, practice, and research for generations of students.
Dr. Tim Porter-O’Grady is a nurse, educator and leader. Dr. Porter-O’Grady is deeply and profoundly committed to serving others; those in our most vulnerable communities who require expert care, those who are on their journey to becoming nurses and advanced practice nurses and those organizations, both nationally and globally, that advance the professional work of nurses. He is truly devoted to making the world a better place through the power of nurses and nursing.
Honorary Awards
The Honorary Award recipients are highly accomplished registered nurses who are recognized for their outstanding service to the profession in categories ranging from diversity to patient advocacy to legislative successes.

Recipients of the Distinguished Practice in Nursing Awards:

Vicki Freedenberg, PhD, RN
Maryland Nurses Association
The Distinguished Direct Patient Care Award recognizes an individual registered nurse who provides exemplary direct patient care and contributes to the advancement of nursing practice.
Laurie Badzek, LLM, JD, MS, RN, FNAP, FAAN
Pennsylvania State Nurses Association
The Foundations of Nursing Practice Award recognizes an individual registered nurse for achieving outstanding accomplishments in nursing research, nursing education or nursing practice.
Kimberly Bagley, DNP, RN, AGPCNP-BC, AGACNP-BC, CCRN
North Carolina Nurses Association
The Foundations of Nursing Practice Award recognizes an individual registered nurse for achieving outstanding accomplishments in nursing research, nursing education or nursing practice.
William Rosa, MS, APRN-BC, FCCM, FAANP, FAAN
ANA-New York
The Public Health Service Award recognizes the outstanding contribution by an individual to public health.

Recipients of the Diversity in Nursing Awards:
Brigit Carter, PhD, RN, CCRN
Individual Member Division
The Diversity Award recognizes an individual registered nurse or a group of registered nurses for long-standing commitment and significant contributions to the advancement of diversity and inclusion within the nursing profession.
Ronald Lee Hickman Jr., PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FNAP, FAAN
Ohio Nurses Association
The Diversity Award recognizes an individual registered nurse or a group of registered nurses for long-standing commitment and significant contributions to the advancement of diversity and inclusion within the nursing profession.

Recipient of the Nurse Exemplars Awards:
Jeanie Sauerland, MA, BSN, RN
Texas Nurses Association
The Leadership in Ethics Award recognizes an individual registered nurse who has authentically demonstrated the highest standards of ethics and leadership in his/her daily nursing practice.

Recipients of the Nursing Champions Awards:
Patricia La Brosse, MS, RN, PMHCNS-BC
Louisiana State Nurses Association
The Advocacy Award recognizes an individual registered nurse who embraces the role of advocate as part of his/her professional identity.
Cynthia Zolnierek, PhD, RN, CAE
Texas Nurses Association
The Advocacy Award recognizes an individual registered nurse who embraces the role of advocate as part of his/her professional identity.
Michael Singer
Chief Executive Officer, Careismatic Brands, Inc. formerly Strategic Partners, Inc.
The Champion of Nursing Award recognizes an extraordinary leader who is not a member of the nursing profession but has demonstrated a commitment to ANA’s mission through distinguished service.