Nursing Awards

Healing Partner

• Edward Pabalinas, LVN - UCLA Primary Care & Specialty - Thousand Oaks
• Kristen Elliott, RN - Hematology Oncology Community Clinic

Community Bridge Builder

• Jennifer Rivas, LVN - Internal Medicine Suite 420 (IMS)

Steward of Safe and High-Quality Care

• Alina Martinez, LVN - UCLA-EIMG Bob Hope
• Sandra Lozano-Cerda, LVN - West LA Pediatric Primary Care

Interdisciplinary Connector

• Ashley White, RN - Ambulatory Care Coordination
• Myla Nishimura, RN - Ambulatory Care Coordination
• Marisol Roman, LVN - Santa Clarita McBean Primary & Specialty Care

Patient Care: Eric Bacus - Ambulatory Nursing Patient Care

Teamwork: Melissa Lopez, Sr. LVN Supervisor – Ambulatory Nursing Teamwork

Community Involvement: Michaela Martin - Ambulatory Nursing Community Involvement

Quality & Patient Safety: Amber Lazareff, BSN, RN-BC – Ambulatory Nursing Quality & Patient Safety

Clinical Leader Award: Nicole Collins, RN, CCRN, CNIII - 5NICU

Clinical Practitioner Award: Marina Stanley, BSN, RN, CNII - 7W

Julie Gaspar Clinical Transferor of Knowledge Award: Kimberly Mott, BSN, RN, CCRN, CNII - 6ICU

Professional Governance Award: Sarah Yuan, MSN, RN, CNL, PHN, CNII - 7W

Interprofessional Colleague-in-Care Award: Danica Adkins, RN, MSN AGACNP-BC, NPIII - Liver Transplant Surgery

Rising Star Award: Alexander Tchekanov, BSN, RN, CCRN, CNII - 7ICU

Partner-in-Care Relationship-Based Care Award: Bryan Valdez, SVN - 8N

Nursing Unity Award: Nicole Taylor, BSN, CCRN, CNIII - 5PICU

Nurse Scientist Award: Vivien Lee, BS, RN CCTN, CNII - 8N

Drives of Change Team Award: 8 North Liver Transplant

Devra & Dr. Lester Breslow Clinical Care Partner Scholarship: Geraldine Villero, CCP/ACCP - 6W

Muriel D. Casselman Humanism: Janel Nguyen, MSN, RN, Nurse P.D.  - 5PICU

Joann Conflenti Registered Nurse Scholarship Fund: Joe Gamboa, BSN, RN, Assistant Director - Float Team

Frances Virginia  Sandbrook Staff Recognition Award: Scott McPherson, BSN, RN, CCRN, CNIII - 4ICU

John Henry Sandbrook, Jr. Staff Recognition Award: Joyce Samson, BSN. RN, CRN, CNII - 7ICU

Barco's Nightingale's Foundation Award for Nursing Excellence: Katrina Whalen, MSN, ACNP-BC, NPIII- The Ahmanson/UCLA Congenital Heart Disease Center

Dr. Pamela S. Miller Legacy in Nursing Science and Leadership Award: Grace Sund, RN, MSN, CPNP, CPHON, CNS - Center for Nursing Excellence

Heidi Crooks Visionary of the Year Award: Francis A. Saint Clair, MSN,RN, CNL, NE-BC, CCRN, SCRN, Unit Director - PTU/PACU/TRU

Mary Erbeznik Scholarship Fund Award: Liezl Meyer, BSN, RN, NC-BC - Nursing Float Team 

Cathy Rodgers Ward Nursing Leadership Scholarship: Joaquin Nunez, CCT CCRN, CFRN, CEN, CNPT, CNM - Critical Care Transport

Clinical Leader: Eti Nodel, RN, PCCN, AGPCNP-BC, CNIII - GOU

Clinical Practitioner: Jeffrey Adriano, RN, PCCN, CNIII - 7W

Clinical Transferor of Knowledge: Zenaida Jimenez, RN, CNIII - 6W

Drivers of Change: 7ICU Education Committee

Interprofessional Colleague-in-Care: Flor Arias, Sr. Custodian - EVS

LVN Relationship-Based Care: Felomina Buni, Sr. LVN

Nurse Innovator: Monina Garchitorena, BSN, RN, CNIII - 7ICU

Nurse Scientist: Leann Garnett, BSN, CCRN, CNII - Radiology

Nursing Unity: Christopher J. DiMiceli, Sr. Emergency Trauma Tech - ER

Partner-in-Care Relationship-Based Care: Arturo Cruz, CNA, Administrative Clinical Care Partner - 4 ICU 

Professional Governance: Kristen Chin, BSN, RN, CCTN, CNIII - 8N

Rising Star: Perla Alonzo, BSN, RN, CNII - 4ICU

Frances Virginia Sandbrook Annual Staff Appreciation: Akemi Miyauchi, RN, CNIII - 4 ICU

John Henry Sandbrook Annual Staff Appreciation: Jillian Joslin, BSN, RN, CCRN, CNII - 7 ICU

Devra and Dr. Lester Breslow Care Partner Scholarship: Esperanza Jimenez, Clinical Care Partner - 6W

Muriel D. Casselman Humanism: Nick Zambos, BSN, RN, CNII - 5 PICU

The Jo-Ann Conflenti Registered Nurse Scholarship Fund: Geng-Wei Lee, BSN, RN, CCRN, CNII - 4 ICU

Heidi Crooks Visionary and Transformational Leadership: Fotine Mamais, MSN, RN, BC-GCHN, GNP,  Clinical Nurse Specialist, Geriatrics Advanced Practice Supervisor

Mary Erbeznik Scholarship Award: Maria "Teresa" Huerto Bambrick, BSN, RN, CCRN, CNII - 4 ICU

Cathy Rodgers Ward Nursing Leadership Scholarship: Ida Anderson, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, ONC, Director of Nursing, Adult Critical Care

Pamela Jane Nye Operation Scrubs(OPi) Working Neuroscience Nurse Scholarship: Lolita Kazaryants, BSN, RN, CNII - 6 ICU

Clinical Leader: Christopher Lee, BSN, RN-BC, CNIII - 6W

Clinical Practitioner: Soonhee Han, BSN, RN, PCCN, CNIII - 7W

Clinical Transferor of Knowledge: Edith Solis, BSN, RN, PCCN - 7W

LVN Relationship-Based Care: Jennifer Gomez, LVN - Dept. of Surgery - Westwood

Nurse Scientist: Valentina Obreja, DNP, RN, CCRN, CNIII - 7ICU

Nurse Innovator: Taline Marcarian, PhD, RN, CCRN, CNIII - 7ICU

Partner-In-Care Relationship-Based Care: Nkeiruka (Nikki) Adebiyi, ACCP - Resource Team

Rising Star: Geng-Wei Lee, BSN, RN, CCRN, CNII - 4ICU

Professional Governance: Jane Hikichi, BSN, RN, CCRN, CNII - 7W

Drivers of Change:  7ICU Performance Improvement Committee

Lester and Devra Breslow Care Partner Scholarship: Joshua Song, ACCP - 8W

Lester and Devra Breslow Care Partner Scholarship: Lemei (Dora) Xiao, ACCP - FPRT

Muriel D. Casselman Humanism: Nina Park, BSN, RN, CNII - 6ICU

The Joann Conflenti Registered Nurse Scholarship Fund: Billal Khan, BSN, RN, Float Pool Nurse - FPRT

John Henry Sandbrook Annual Staff Appreciation: Lisa Gonzalez, BSN, RN, CCRN, CNIII - 7ICU

Virginia Frances Sandbrook Annual Staff Appreciation Award: Catherine Fairbanks, BSN, RN, CCRN, CNIII - 4ICU

Barco's Nightingales SM Foundation Award for Nursing Excellence: Shiow-Hwa Hwang, BSN, RN, CRNO, Ambulatory Care Patient Supervisor 2 - JSEI

Mary Erbeznik Scholarship Fund: Ryan Kuresa, BSN, RN, CCRN, Float Pool Nurse - FPRT

Pamela Jane Nye Operation Scrubs (Opi) Working Neuroscience Nurse Scholarship: Rutuja Gourkar, BSN, RN, CNII - 6N

Cathy Rodgers Ward Nursing Leadership Scholarship: Thanuttha (Tak) Tiensawang, MSN, CWON-AP, CNS - CNEX

Heidi Crooks Visionary of the Year: Katrine Murray, MSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BC - 7ICU

Clinical Leader: Michelle Solitaire, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, ANI - 2SW

Clinical Practitioner: Elinor Marcelino, BSN, RN, ANI - 4NW

Julie Gaspar Clinical Transferor of Knowledge: Rebecca Choi, BSN, RN, OCN, CNIII

Professional Governance: Cheryl Koffman, BSN, RN, Float Team

Interprofessional Colleague in Care: Dulce Maria Del Cid Guerra, Float Team Respiratory Therapist

Rising Star:  Maria Becerra, BSN, RN, CNII - 4NW

Partner-in-Care: Jeorzsees Ang, Clinical Care Partner - 4SW

Nursing Unity: Florence Dreu, AND, RN, CNII - 4NW

Nurse Scientist: Viola Mena, MSN, RN, CAPA, CNII - Surgery Center/PTU

Nurse Innovator:  Michelle Rodriguez, BSN, RN, CNII - AMN

Drivers of Change: SMUCLA Discharge Lounge (DCL)

Clinical Practitioner: Maryann Martinez Garcia, BSN, RN-BC - 4MN
 
Nursing Unity: Kemi Reeves, MSN, GNP-BC - Geriatrics-Fac. Research & Support

Clinical Transferor of Knowledge: Katherine Lejarde, MSN, PCCN - OR-TRU

Clinical Leader: Stefan Fajeau, BSN, RN-BC - 5NW

Drivers of Change: SMUCLA NICU Team 

Partner-in-Care: Octavio Valladares Perez, CNA - 2SW NICU

Professional Governance: Megan Weisbart, MSN, RNC-NIC, CNL, PHN - 2SW NICU

Rising Star: Kennedy Davis, BSN, RN - 4SW Oncology

Colleague-in-Care: Melanie Lam, PharmD, BCPPS - Pharmaceutical Services

Nurse Scientist: Rebecca Choi, BSN, RN - 4NW

Nurse Innovator: Melissa Smith, RN - MPU (GI Lab)

Beyond the Call of Duty: Eskedar Gizaw

Harding Compassion: Brianna Rodrigues

Innovation Gilbert Barco: Summer Maxwell Gupta

Leadership Excellence: Kelsey Zwang

Mentor: Hazel Maguerrero

Team Spirit: : 4 SW Solid Oncology, 

Professional Governance: Christina Richner, BSN, RN-BC, CNII - 5NW

Drivers of Change: UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Perinatal Team

Rising Star: Pamela Minasian, BSN, RN, CNII - AMN

Colleague-in-Care: Tracy Reyes Serrano, BA, CCLS-CLS2 - Child Life Specialist 

Clinical Practitioner: Rae Rios, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, CNII - NICU

Clinical Transferor of Knowledge: Rayna Ewer, BSN, RN, OCN, CNIII - 4SW

LVN RBC: Theresa Schuerger-Salzer, Sr. LVN - Department of Medicine

Nurse Scientist: Maria Santua, RN, CNIII - Pediatric Infusion Center

Nurse Innovator: Alissa McCullough, BSN, RN-BC, CNII - 6NW

Clinical Leader: Dahlia Maldonado, BSN, RN-BC, ANI - 4NW

Partner-in-Care RBC: Ever Mazariegos, CACP, Clinical / Administrative Care Partner - PACU/PTU

Harding Compassion: Cristina Perez, CNII, BSN, RN-BC - 6NW and Robby Kashani, CNII, BSN, RN - 4NW

Leadership Excellence: Cecily Byron, UD, DNP, RN-BC, NEA - 4MN and Sharon Doggett, UD, MSN, RN-BC, NEA-BC - Resource Team

Mentor: Maninder Jasdhaul, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC  - Center for Nursing Excellence

Team Excellence: PTU/PACU

Team Safety: 5NW Geriatrics

Team Spirit: Internal Medicine Hospitalists, Nurse Practitioners and Perinatal Service

Transformational Leadership Nurse of the Year; Tanya Kupershmidt, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, Administrative Nurse 1 - 4N

New Graduate Nurse of the Year: Sophia Anne Toni Beltran, BSN, RN, Clinical Nurse II - 4E

Community Spirit Award of the Year: Susan “Susie” Clinton, OT, Adult Psychiatry - 4E

Most Supportive Teammates of the Year Award: Guadalupe Perez, CACP, ECT Services and Susan “Susie” Clinton, OT, Adult Psychiatry

Community Award of the Year: Brent Corbett, MHP - 4W

Educator of the Year: Lisette Espana, MAN, RN, PMH-BC, Clinical Nurse Educator -  CENTER for Nursing Excellence

Evidence-Based Practice Champion Award: Pauline Andan, RN, PMH-BC, AN1 - PHP

Exemplary Practice Award: Linda Sanders, BSN, RN - PHP

Innovation of the Year: Mollie McCarthy, RN, PMH-BC - 4N

Most Supportive Teammate: Robbie Harris-Depriest - Recreational Therapist

Most Supportive Teammate: Gayane Shirvanyan, RN, PMH-BC - 4N

Recovery and Professional Practice Model RN of the Year: Kaila Muriera, RN, PMH-BC - 4E

Rookie of the Year: Abraham Urias, BSN, RN - 4E

Transformational Leader of the Year: Kenneth Matthews, BSN, RN - 4N

Innovation of the Year: Wireless Headphones - 4E

Teammate of the Year: Kimberly Lucio - Sr. Mental Health Practitioner 

Recovery Nurse of the Year: Elizabeth Brillo, BSN, RN-BC, ANI - 4E

Transformational Leader: Jomar dela Pena, BSN, RN-BC, ANI - 4E

Exemplary Professional Practice Nurse: Kenneth Matthews, BSN, RN, ANI - 4N

Evidence Based Practice Nurse: Era Hawk, MSN, RN-BC, CNII - 4E

Support Staff of the Year/Decade: Sharon Singh, Administrative Specialist

Clinical Practitioner Award: Patty Reyes, RN - Burn Unit 

Clinical Practitioner Award: Allison Karnak, RN - Operative Services, ASC

Clinical Leader Award: Michelle Dizon, RN - Orthopedics/Surgery Unit

Clinical Leader Award: Irina Levitskaya, RN - Intensive Care Unit

Clinical Transferor of Knowledge Award: Amy Spangenberg Heffron, RN - Oncology/ Medical-Surgical Unit

Clinical Transferor of Knowledge Award: Denise Albera, RN -Pre-Operative Services, ASC

Partner in Care Award: Colleen Sharkey, CNA - Telemetry Unit

Interprofessional Colleague Award: Fara Delaney, NP - Cardiology Department