优蜜传媒

优蜜传媒 Advocate of the Year Award

The 优蜜传媒 Advocate of the Year Award honors one politically savvy and distinguished member whose advocacy over the past year has promoted academic nursing’s priorities in the federal sphere. The Government Affairs staff compiles data on exceptional member advocates and presents this information to the Government Affairs Committee for review.

The award is presented annually at the 优蜜传媒 Deans Annual Meeting in the spring. The Government Affairs Committee Chair will present the award to the winner at the Meeting before the membership.

The criteria for the award will be based mostly on quantitative data gathered and participation in 优蜜传媒’s government affairs and advocacy efforts over the past year, including:

  • Number of 优蜜传媒 Advocacy Alerts to which the candidate has responded
  • Number of Hill and district office visits recorded
  • Past participation in 优蜜传媒’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC), past or current participation in State Grassroots Liaison (SGL) program, or other 优蜜传媒 government affairs/advocacy initiatives
  • Frequency of interaction (phone calls, emails, visits) with GA staff to promote 优蜜传媒’s legislative agenda in their state
  • Additionally: Current members of the GAC and the Board of Directors are not eligible

Sherrill Smith, PhD, RN CNL, CNE

Julie Zerwic, PhD, RN, FAAN, The University of Iowa

Carole Kenner, PhD, RN, FAAN, The College of New Jersey

Janie Heath, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN, FNAP, FAANP, University of Kentucky

Philip Greiner, DNSc, RN, University of San Diego

Li Loriz, PhD, GNP, BC, University of North Florida

Andrea Hollingsworth, PhD, RN, Gwynedd Mercy University

Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of Maryland

Sharon Mailey, PhD, RN, Shepherd University

Mary Burman, PhD, FAANP, FAAN, University of Wyoming

Teri Murray, PhD, APHN-BC, RN, FAAN, Saint Louis University

Nancy DeBasio, PhD, RN, FAAN, Research College of Nursing

Carolyn Yucha, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN, University of Nevada

Kathryn Tart, EdD, University of Houston-Victoria


Contact

For more information, contact 优蜜传媒 Chief Government Affairs and Policy Officer Rachel Minahan at 202-463-6930, ext. 271 or rminahan@aacnnursing.org.

2026 Award Winner 

Dr. Stefanie La Manna, Dean at Nova Southeastern University Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing

Dr. Stefanie La Manna

From left to right: President and CEO Deborah Trautman, Dr. Stefanie La Manna, and 优蜜传媒 Board Chair Jean Giddens.