Awards

Will be open March 1st 2026-April 15th 2026.

  • Excellence in Nursing Leadership
  • Excellence in Nursing Mentorship
  • Clinical Nurse Excellence
Melissa Belcher BSN, RN, CNOR

Melissa Belcher BSN, RN, CNOR

2025 Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award Winner

Excellence in Nursing Leadership

Nurses nominated for this award possess and demonstrate excellence in the attributes of communication, emotional intelligence, and integrity as seen in their service and performance as a nurse leader

Jessica Chaffin RN, BSN

Jessica Chaffin RN, BSN

2025 Excellence in Nursing Mentorship Award Winner

Excellence in Nursing Mentorship

Nurses nominated for this award possess and demonstrate excellence in the attributes of teaching, mentoring, and fostering the growth and development of nursing students or nurses at any stage in their career.

Bridgett Allen DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C

Bridgett Allen DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C

2025 Clinical Nurse Excellence Award Winner

Clinical Nurse Excellence

Nurses nominated for this award should possess and demonstrate excellence in the attributes of clinical judgment, critical thinking, inter-professional collaboration, and commitment to patient/family health and wellness.

Nomination Essay by Dr. Chandra

Bridgett Allen is an excellent Nurse/ NP. She is well-liked by peers and patients, consistently receiving positive feedback for her compassionate care and clear communication. She implemented a streamlined patient intake and scheduling system, reducing the time from diagnosis to treatment of cancer patients by approximately 20%. She effectively leads interdisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration and improving patient outcomes. Bridgett takes on responsibilities willingly and never complains about her workload. She demonstrates a strong commitment to professional growth and patient care. She actively seeks out opportunities to expand her skill set, incorporating new knowledge and techniques that directly enhance patient outcomes. This dedication is evident in her pursuit and achievement of the Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) certification, signifying her specialized expertise in oncology care. Beyond her clinical proficiency, Bridgett is a dedicated mentor and preceptor, generously sharing her knowledge and experience with fellow NPs, fostering their development and contributing to the overall advancement of the team. Bridgett plays a pivotal role in advancing clinical research studies within the Department of Oncology, demonstrating her commitment to evidence-based practice and innovation. Her contributions are instrumental in driving advancements in cancer care and improving patient outcomes. Beyond her clinical expertise, she is a respected researcher and author, having published in her field. This combination of clinical excellence, research acumen, and dedication to knowledge dissemination makes her an exceptional candidate. I wholeheartedly endorse her nomination for the Clinical Nursing Award.

All nominees must meet the following criteria:

  • Yuma County Resident

  • Registered Nurse (RN) or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

  • Living to receive award

  • Practicing RN (unencumbered active AZ Board of Nursing license) for at least 1 year.

  • No self nominations

  • Must be over 18 to nominate a nurse

Scoring

In 2025, We were thrilled to receive over 100 nominations, a testament to the exceptional dedication and talent among nurses in our community. To ensure a fair and unbiased process, all nomination essays were anonymized and reviewed by three separate panels, each consisting of five professionals; primarily nurses from across the United States. Using a standardized rubric, submissions were scored on a scale from 0 to 4. The final scores were then tallied to determine the top candidates in each category.

Excellence in Nursing Leadership 2025 Nominees
  • Bridgett Allen DNP, FNP, AOCNP
  • Sonia Hernandez BSN
  • Edith Felix RN
  • Eric Vaughn RN
  • Mika Naranjo RN
  • Brissa Ayon BSN
  • Melissa Belcher BSN, RN, CNOR
  • Petra Altamirano BSN
  • Luz Wiley DNP, ANP-BC
  • Julie Barnett RN
  • Brenda Rodriguez ADN, CRRN
  • Briana Smith DNP, FNP-C
  • Loritta Ortiz MSN-Ed, BSN, CRRN
  • Megan McCarthy DNP, ANP-c, CVNP-BC
  • Kristin Little MSN, RN
  • Bryan Alvin Bautista MSN, RN, CHPM
  • Tiffany Walker MSN
  • Gwendolyn Terrazas FNP
  • Krista Mantica RN
  • Suezanne Martin BSN, MSN, RN,AGACNP-BC
  • David Federico RN
  • Gabriella Lopez BSN
  • Rosa Rubio MSN
  • Ariel Marquez BSN
  • Brittany Chavez BSN, RN, CNOR
  • Denisse Mendoza BSN, RN
  • Stacie Phillips BSN, RN
  • Melinda Mendez RN, MSN, MBA
  • Lorri Raney RN
Excellence in Nursing Mentorship 2025 Nominees
  • Ashley Reese BSN, CNOR
  • Lealoni Ussery RN
  • Veronica Soto BSN
  • Jaquelin Esquer BSN
  • Alexandria Estrada BSN, RN
  • Lisa Dennis RN AS-ADN
  • Brooke Hansen RN, BSN
  • Trisha Estes BSN
  • Carolina Monte BSN
  • Christian Tejeda ASN
  • Junya Fischer MSN, BSN, RN
  • Bryan Bautista MSN, RN, CHPM
  • Jose Flores ASN
  • Esohe Grace Anaba BSN
  • Kyra Wilkinson MSN, RN, MBA-HM, CEN,
  • Amanda Olivarez RN
  • Joselina Guzman-Arias AAS
  • Wyatt Dennis ADN
  • Krista Mantica RN
  • Jill Izzo MBA, BSN, CRRN, RN
  • Lilly Jackson BSN, MSN
  • Michelle Vickers BSN
  • Gilberto Ramirez RN, BSN
  • Natalie Lopez, BSN
  • Carmen Sesma MSN
  • Marybel Gonzalez MSN, FNP-C
  • Petra Altamirano BSN
  • Jessica Chaffin RN, BSN
  • Danae Jackson BSN
  • Kendra Cleinmark RN
  • Brissa Ayon BSN
  • Kimberly Smith RN
  • Jasmine Mendez BSN
  • Adriana Gonzales BSN, RN
  • Margery Smith DNP, FNP-C
  • Eduardo Moreno BSN, RN, CCRN
Clinical Nurse Excellence 2025 Nominees
  • Kindra Gonzales RN, WCC
  • Lizbeth Mora RN, ADN
  • Joselina Guzman-Arias AAS
  • Estevan Hurtado ADN
  • Gina Botello DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
  • Mae McGrew BSN
  • Bridgett Allen DNP, FNP, AOCNP
  • Lizandra Garcia BSN
  • Denisse Mendoza BSN, RN
  • Pamela Valtierra BSN
  • Junya Fischer MSN, BSN, RN
  • Esperanza Soto ADN
  • Selah Fontanes RN
  • Claudia Montes RN
  • Genevieve Machado DNP, APRN-RNP, FNP-BC
  • Maria Gill RN
  • Kristie Wright MSN-Ed, ACUE, RNC-MNN
  • Huetta Graham ADN
  • Mireya Gomez BSN
  • Annalisa McBride MSN, AGPCNP
  • Sofia Fletcher RN
  • Jill Izzo MBA BSN, CRRN, RN
  • Alfredo Gonzales ASN
  • Lilly Jackson BSN, MSN
  • Lorrita Ortiz MSN-Ed, BSN, CRRN
  • Arlene Vendivil BSN
  • Hilda Corona RN-BC
  • Jacqueline Fuentes Camacho DNP, FNP-C
  • Liliana Soto-Acosta BSN
  • Berenice Moreno ADN
  • Iriana Munoz BSN
  • Linda Dennis RN