ANPD members are talented, hardworking, and passionate about nursing professional development. Every year at the ANPD Aspire Convention, we are honored to present an array of prestigious awards to a few of our members who have demonstrated excellence in the field.
This year's award recipients shared with NPD in Motion their advice for NPD practitioners on their professional journeys.
Marlene Kramer Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is the most prestigious ANPD award. In 2016, the ANPD Board of Directors established this award to recognize individuals who have had an enduring impact on our practice specialty and organization. The lifetime achievement award was first awarded to Dr. Marlene Kramer in 2017 and has been named in her honor.
Kathy Casey, PhD, RN, NPD-BC
Kathy Casey, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, is a Professional Development Specialist at Denver Health and was coordinator of the 12-month Graduate Nurse Residency Program focusing on supporting and retaining graduate nurses as they transition into professional nursing practice. Dr. Casey is well-known for her work in development of valid and reliable tools to measure the experience of the new graduate nurse.
Casey shared: “I am honored to be recognized by ANPD for my contributions and research on survey development for use in practice and education settings to evaluate transition to practice programs, preparation for practice, retention, and measure outcomes. This award exemplifies my significant impact on nurses in professional development and demonstrates my passion and dedication to the support of graduate nurses in their professional role transition experience.”
Her words of inspiration for NPD practitioners:
“Always follow what you love to do and never give up! Lifelong learning is important to stay current with trends in nursing practice and healthcare. Nurses in professional development have a vital role in supporting the nursing workforce, influencing interventions to retain nurses in practice settings, and strengthening health care delivery systems.”
View Dr. Casey’s award recipient video.
Belinda E. Puetz Award
This award encompasses excellence in NPD. This excellence is shown through the recipient’s creativity, productivity, exemplary leadership qualities, and efficiency. This award is named in memory of dedicated NNSDO/ANPD volunteer Belinda E. Puetz.
Stephanie Zidek, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC
Stephanie Zidek, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, serves as a Director of Nursing Education and Professional Development at Advocate Aurora Health, a large not-for-profit health system.
Stephanie commented: “I was honored to receive this prestigious recognition from ANPD and my dear colleagues. It’s my greatest honor to serve alongside my fellow NPD colleagues and learn, grow, and evolve together.”
Advice she shared for future award recipients:
- “Expand your path to seek out unique opportunities, create special connections, and learn new skills.
- Approach all obstacles with a solution-focused mindset by asking ‘how can we’ vs. saying ‘why we can’t.’
- Commit to exploring something new whenever possible to deepen your knowledge base and hone your expertise
- Have fun!”
View Stephanie’s award recipient video.
Change Agent Award
This NPD practitioner actively works to transform processes through inspiration, initiation, adoption, and sustainment to change using project management and improvement processes at one of the following levels: patient care unit, education department, and organization.
Joy Olczak, DNP, RN, CHSE, CCRN-K, NPD-BC
Joy Olczak, DNP, RN, CHSE, CCRN-K, NPD-BC, is a Simulation Educator for Novant Health. She has been a nurse for 32 years with a clinical background primarily in critical care nursing.
Dr. Olczak said: “I am grateful to my colleagues for nominating me and to ANPD for choosing me for the Change Agent Award. It’s humbling to have my work recognized by this amazing organization.”
Her advice:
“A couple of years ago, I changed roles and left my comfort zone of critical care education to focus on healthcare simulation. Trying something totally new was intimidating and a bit scary. But I found that trying and learning new things, while uncomfortable at times, has been motivational and has allowed me to grow in ways I had not considered. So don’t be scared. Embrace change and the new perspectives that it brings.”
View Dr. Olczak’s award recipient video.
Mentor Award
This NPD practitioner advances the profession by contributing to the professional development of others and supporting lifelong learning as individuals develop across practice, professional and educational settings.
Renee Cherry, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, NPD-BC
Renee Cherry, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, NPD-BC, has been a nurse for 30 years. She started her career as an ADN nurse in cardiac surgery working with intermediate and critical care patients, and eventually led staff development activities and functioned as a unit educator.
Renee shared: “I am honored to receive this prestigious award due to the importance of mentorship in nursing today. I strive to provide intentional support, guidance, and goal-setting for the achievement of career objectives to fellow nurses on their journey in this great profession.”
For those seeking mentoring success, she advised:
“If you are a good listener, have patience and the passion to share your knowledge with others; I would like to encourage and challenge you to seek out more information about becoming a mentor. It is rewarding to know you have invested time in a fellow nurse by promoting professional development that impacts their career, growth, and nursing practice.”
View Renee’s award recipient video.
Leader Award
This NPD practitioner influences the interprofessional practice and learning environments, the NPD specialty, the profession of nursing, and healthcare.
Tracy Langston, MSN, RN, NPD-BC
Tracy Langston, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, is the Director of Nursing Professional Development and Innovation at ECU Health Medical Center.
Tracy stated: “I am honored to be nominated by my peers and receive this prestigious award from ANPD. To be recognized as a leader in this specialty that I love is truly a highlight of my career! To me, this honor signifies my commitment to advocating and advancing the specialty of nursing professional development.”
Her advice for others in the NPD profession:
“Leadership is not about a specific job title. Whether you are leading people, programs, projects, or leading in place by inspiring those around you in your daily work, we are all leaders! Leadership is a constant journey that you actively engage in through professional development opportunities, mentorship, and lived experiences. Give yourself grace when you have missteps and view them as a gift for growth and wisdom. My source of inspiration for my career and personal aspirations has always come from this quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln (and shared with me by my mother): ‘The best way to predict your future is to create it.’”
View Tracy’s award recipient video.
Learning Facilitator Award
This NPD practitioner uses the educational design process to bridge the knowledge, skills, and/or practice gaps identified through a needs assessment.
Megan Webber, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN
Megan Webber, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN, is a Clinical Specialist and Nurse Residency Program Coordinator at MercyOne-Dubuque, a Magnet-designated hospital.
Megan commented: “I am humbled and honored to receive this award and recognition. I am passionate about identifying and addressing nursing practice gaps by developing programs and educational plans that are interactive, relevant, and fun. By supporting nurses as they experience the rapid changes in the healthcare field, we can continue to provide our patients with high-quality health care.”
Her advice:
“Say yes even if the opportunity sounds intimidating to you. The nursing roles I have had throughout my career have all come about because I decided to take the leap and try something I really didn't know if I would be good at. There is something in you that someone sees and believes in, so go for it even if you don't see it for yourself!”
Watch Megan’s award recipient video.
Champion for Scientific Inquiry Award
This NPD practitioner promotes the generation and dissemination of new knowledge and evidence to advance NPD practice, guide clinical practice, and improve patient care.
Jennifer Andres Luna, DNP, MBA, RN, CCRN-K, CVRN-BC, NPD-BC, EBP-C
Jennifer Andres Luna, DNP, MBA, RN, CCRN-K, CVRN-BC, NPD-BC, EBP-C's nursing career spans over 25 years of experience. She is a strong advocate of EBP scientific inquiry at a Magnet-designated and Beacon Gold-recognized Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital in Texas.
Dr. Andres Luna expressed her honor to receive this award: “It validates my passion and unrelenting quest for nursing excellence, as a scientific EBP innovator, clinical inquiry mentor, and change agent. I work for a Magnet and Beacon Gold-recognized hospital, where the culture of unparalleled excellence inspires us to continuously evolve and aspire towards contributing to the nursing profession through scientific discovery and scholarly dissemination.”
For aspiring NPD scholars, she shared:
“I hope you all find joy in your everyday journey as a lifelong learner and as a nursing professional. May you continue to embrace resilience, humility, and gratitude in all of your endeavors. In your quest for scientific and scholarly excellence, peer feedback is a vital gift that your village may offer to you. Keep an open mind. Keep learning to strengthen and polish your scholarly work. There will be challenges along the way, but keep shining bright as trailblazers. As Rumi quotes: ‘If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror (or diamond) be polished? Do not be afraid to accept challenges and failures as you grow your wings as scientific change agents.’ As the saying goes: ‘On Achievement: Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.’”
View Dr. Andres Luna’s recipient award video.
Advocate for NPD Specialty Award
This NPD practitioner actively supports, promotes, and demonstrates nursing professional development as a nursing practice specialty.
Patsy Maloney, EdD, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, CEN
Patsy Maloney, EdD, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, CEN, is an accomplished author and was co-editor of the Nursing Professional Development: Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd edition and 4th edition, the NPD Anthology: Making a Difference, and served as the editor of the ANPD Update column.
She’s honored to receive the award and shared that she dedicates the award “to those who have inspired me through their continuous advocacy for our specialty.”
Patsy’s inspiring words for others:
“Start where you are and become the very best NPD practitioner. Share your enthusiasm for the specialty and the value of the specialty to healthcare. Join ANPD, and volunteer for task forces and committees. Volunteer for committees and councils at your agency and positively represent NPD.”
View Patsy’s award recipient video.
Partner for Practice Transitions Award
This NPD practitioner actively supports, promotes, and demonstrates nursing professional development as a nursing practice specialty.
Alba Padin, MSN, RN, CV, NPD-BC
Alba Padin, MSN, RN, CV, NPD-BC, is a Clinical Professional Development Educator at Northern Westchester Hospital. She is responsible for overseeing educational programs for the cardiac catheterization lab, electrophysiology lab, nuclear cardiology, and echocardiography department.
View Alba’s award recipient video.
Learn more about the ANPD awards and this year’s recipients on the ANPD website.