INF 2024 Nurses of Influence Press Release

Press Release

Indiana Nurses Foundation Announces Indiana’s 2024 Nurses of Influence

April 22nd, 2024 (Indianapolis, IN) - The Indiana Nurses Foundation (INF) announces Indiana’s most influential nurses serving Hoosiers, future nurses, and as role models to the nursing community. The following list of nurses, elevated by their peers, embody the core values of nursing including human dignity, integrity, autonomy, altruism, and social justice. The INF’s Nurses of Influence ensure the ongoing legacy of our profession by advancing the care we provide and strengthening the current nursing workforce.  Join us in celebrating the INF’s top 3 category winners and all nominees by honoring the following nurses.

The Indiana Nurses Foundation has strengthened Indiana nursing practice since 1976. As a philanthropic organization, the INF serves to support nurses’ contributions to the advancement of care through research and quality improvement and promote professional development fostering leadership, advocacy, and community among nurses. The INF continues to build Indiana’s nursing legacy for nurses practicing today and of the future.

Recognized by their peers, the following nurses of influence positively impact the care delivered to patients, promote healthy work environments, and have a role in shaping the future of the nursing profession. The following recognition highlights the unwavering work and commitment to the profession and those we serve.

Indiana’s 2024 Emerging Nurse Leader

- $500 -

Lynn Cunningham, BSN, RN

Interim Clinical Operations Manager, Emergency Department,

Indiana University Health North Hospital

 Leaders in nursing are not always defined by their title or by a position of authority, but by their impact on colleagues and patients. Effective leaders respect the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach, navigate change with ease, and are recognized as problem solvers. Within the nursing profession leaders serve as role models influencing health care delivery and improving workplace culture. The emerging nurse leaders here serve a crucial role in mentoring future nurses as well as the nursing leadership of tomorrow.

 Indiana’s 2024 Nursing Educator of the Year

- $500 -

Stephani Schultz, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN

Nursing Professional Development Medical-Surgical Specialist,

Parkview Health

An influential educator goes beyond simply imparting knowledge; they inspire, challenge, and empower others to reach their full potential. Through a nursing educator’s dedication, empathy, and mentorship they leave a lasting impact on students and practicing nurses, instilling a lifelong love of learning and a sense of confidence to reach new professional heights ultimately, positively impacting the care provided to patients.

Indiana’s 2024 Top Nurse of Influence

- $1000 -

Amy Manion, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC

Nurse Practitioner, Northwestern Children’s Practice

Associate Professor, Rush College of Nursing

 The INF’s Nurses of Influence Awards highest distinction recognizes Indiana’s top nurse whose unwavering dedication, compassion, and expertise have left a lasting mark on our communities. The top nurse of influence promotes both the art and science of nursing exemplifying the highest standards of nursing excellence, touching the lives of countless patients, families, and colleagues. Their impact extends beyond the walls of our institutions, contributing significantly to the advancement of the nursing profession through leadership, education, and community outreach.

Please join us in congratulating these well-deserved award winners. Their passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence serves as an inspiration to us all. The INF surprised the top three award winners with a sweet treat, flower bouquet, and a giant (faux) check, which was all around favorite part of the surprise celebration.

The Foundation would like to share our gratitude for our internal and external judges who participated in the blinded review of the nominations provided by nurses of influence colleagues. We thank Rush College of Nursing, IU Health North Hospital, and Parkview Health for their support in celebrating these amazing colleagues.

 We would also like to thank the nominators who participated in the 2024 Nurses of Influence Awards call-out. Without your kind words and the elevation of influential colleagues, the INF 2024 Awards wouldn’t be possible. With immense pride and gratitude, we recognize all the 2024 nominees:

2024 Nurses of Influence Nominees

(Alphabetically Listed by First Name) 

Please join the Indiana Nurses Foundation in continuing the celebration by recognizing the following Nurses of Influence:

 

Alex Maynor, RN

Indiana University Health

 

Caroline Mullins, BSN, RN CCRN, CEN

Indiana University Health

 

Charlotte Kurth, RN

Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital

 

Chris Chambon, RN

Indiana University Health West Hospital

 

Cindy Bowers, DNP, RN

University of Indianapolis

 

Djenabou Camara, RN

Indiana University Health West Hospital

 

Donna Burks, MSN, RN*

Eskenazi Health

 

Erica Newkirk, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, GERO-BC, CMSRN

Indiana University Health

Janet Matthews, LPN

ATI Holdings, LLC

 

Janice Wellington, MSN, RN

University of Indianapolis

 

Jennifer Embree, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CCNS, FAAN

Eskenazi Health & Indiana University School of Nursing

 

Jill Conner, DNP, RN, AGNS, SCRN

Community Hospital

 

Karla Butler, LPN*

Ivy Tech Bloomington & Valle Vista Health System

 

Katherine Feley, DNP, RN, NE-BC

Indiana State Nurses Association

 

Katherine Mason, MSN, RN

Indianapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center

 

Kenneth Davis Jr, RN

Indiana University School of Nursing

 

Kristin Bassett, DNP, RN

Ivy Tech Fort Wayne

 

Jan Powers, PhD, RN, CCNS, CCRN, NE-BC, FCCM, FAAN

Parkview Health & Indiana University School of Nursing

 

Lauren Fogt, DNP, RN, CPHQ, CPN

Indiana University Health

 

Meghan Culwell, RN

The Waters West of Wabash

 

Melvin Bolden Jr, DNP, RN, CMSRN, NE-BC

Community Rehabilitation South

 

Michelle Wilkin, MSN, RN, Dip.ABLM

Aya Healthcare

 

Patricia Rupp, BSN, RN, M.ED

Indiana University Health Ambulatory Services

 

Peggy Roberts, MSN, RN

Parkview Health Dekalb

 

Taryn Eastland, Ph.D, RN

Purdue Northwest

  

*Denotes multiple nominations.

We encourage you to learn more about the Foundation’s current programs for Indiana Nurses, including scholarships for Professional Success & Certification, grants for Research and Quality Improvement Projects, Nurses in Need funding, and general programming such as nurse recognition, like the Honor a Nurse program. Our foundation can celebrate Indiana’s Nurses of Influence due to the generosity of our donors. Thank you to the INF Community!

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About the Indiana Nurses Foundation

The Indiana Nurses Foundation (INF) was established as the charitable, tax- exempt 501c3 organization, of the Indiana State Nurses Association. Since 1976, the INF has served Indiana nurses and nursing students through the promotion of professional development scholarships, research and quality improvement grants, recognition, and Nurses in Need resources. The INF vision is to inspire and support Indiana Nurses to actively take part in professional growth opportunities through contributions of our donors by providing a means to leave a legacy for nursing and to improve health care delivery to all Hoosiers.

 

https://indiananurses.nursingnetwork.com/page/94945-about-inf

INF Contact: Libby Harris, INF President | 317-299-4575 | INFPresident@indiananurses.org

Media Contact: Katie Feley | 317-299-4575 | katie@indiananurses.org