Torch of Excellence Nursing Awards
For more than three decades, the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing has brought the Greater Cincinnati community together to recognize and celebrate outstanding nurses who go above and beyond to provide exceptional patient care. In addition to recognizing nursing excellence, the event honors nursing leaders through history and raises funds for undergraduate nursing scholarships.
Join us for the 33rd Torch of Excellence Nursing Awards Ceremony
- Thursday, May 8 at 5:30 p.m.
- Westin Cincinnati – 21 E. 5th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Nominations for the 2026 Torch of Excellence Nursing Awards will be accepted between June 1– December 31, 2025. Be notified when nominations open.
Recognize Excellence
Nursing excellence is driven by a combination of skills, compassion and continuous learning, as nurses strive to provide the highest quality care while adapting to the evolving needs of their patients and communities. Torch of Excellence Nursing Award recipients exemplify leadership, expertise and advocacy, going above and beyond in their dedication to improving health outcomes, setting new standards for patient care, elevating the nursing profession and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
2025 Awardees
Mindy Allen, MSN-Ed, RN, CPH, CIC Cincinnati Health Department
A Nursing Supervisor at the Cincinnati Health Department’s Communicable Disease Unit, Allen is praised for her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to public health. She played a key role in securing the Project Firstline Tools and Resources Project grant, which aims to enhance infection prevention training for healthcare facilities in Cincinnati. Allen’s proactive, innovative approach ensures the project’s success, focusing on culturally sensitive and accessible training resources. Her leadership and commitment to improving community health make her an exceptional role model and a standout in public health.
Leslie Bishop, BSN, RNC, C-EFM
St. Elizabeth Healthcare
A nurse for 31 years in Labor and Delivery, Bishop is known for her clinical expertise and compassionate care. Colleague Danielle Meyer praises her dedication: “Leslie thrives in the busy hustle of Labor and Delivery and isn't slowing down.” Bishop excels in managing emergencies, ensuring safety, and leading efforts like onboarding new staff and teaching critical programs. Recently joining ACOG, she stays up-to-date on best practices to guide her work and influence policy. Her advocacy, lifelong learning, and clinical skills make her a standout nurse, benefiting both her unit and the community.
Lisa Burns, MSN, MEd, RN IV, CPN
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
A nurse with 23 years of experience, Burns is a vital member of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s Specialty Resource Unit, trained to work across 17 units, including critical care. Known for her expertise and compassionate care, she developed a specialty team to support higher-acuity patients during transport. Manager Julie North calls Burns “a wealth of knowledge” who effortlessly adapts to any setting. Beyond her clinical work, Burns is dedicated to nursing education, Shared Governance, and community service, including COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Her unwavering dedication to patients, families, and the community exemplifies excellence in care.
Bonnie Eilerman, MSN, APRN, NNP-BC
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Holding 23 years of experience in neonatal care, Eilerman is known for her clinical expertise and leadership, particularly in the care of critically ill neonates. She developed the Pilot CPAP device to improve respiratory support for premature infants, reducing complications from traditional CPAP masks. Eilerman also led a quality improvement initiative for nasal suctioning and is investigating cranial deformations from CPAP use. Her commitment to enhancing patient comfort includes securing funding for postpartum discharge carts. A proactive leader, Eilerman’s dedication to innovation and improving patient care has made a lasting impact on both her colleagues and the families she serves.
Holly Pfriem, MSN, APRN, CNP
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Currently serving as Clinical Director of Advanced Practice Providers for the Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute, Pfriem is a fierce advocate for education and mentorship. Supervisor Jerry Schwartz praises Pfriem’s commitment to ensuring her team and patients have the information they need. Beyond clinical care, Pfriem has helped develop community programs like Project ADAM, promoting cardiac emergency preparedness in schools. Thanks to her efforts, 15 local schools have earned the Heart Safe School designation. Her dedication to patients, education, and community continues to inspire and earn respect from all who work with her.
Veronica Scott-Fulton, DNP, MPH, NEA-BC
Bon Secours Mercy Health
Inspired by her grandmother, a midwife in South Carolina, Scott-Fulton’s passion for nursing is deeply personal. Now leading nearly 22,000 nurses at Bon Secours Mercy Health, she ensures care is always personal, not just clinical. Her work addressing social determinants of health tackles the root causes of inequities, making a profound impact on patients, peers, and communities. Known for her visionary leadership and heartfelt connections, she inspires those around her, making them feel valued and capable of greatness.
Carrie Washington, BSN, RN
Cincinnati Veteran's Affairs Medical Center
Carrie Washington has made a lasting impact on both her community and the nursing profession. With over 17 years of nursing experience and 35 years of government service, she’s been a dedicated participant in the Women Health Organization for women veterans, president of Blacks In Government, and has contributed to several veteran programs. Washington also serves as secretary for the Specialty Clinic’s Unit Practice Council and hosts an annual Women’s Empowerment Conference. Known for her deep empathy and commitment to excellence, she ensures every patient feels heard and supported. Her leadership, expertise, and dedication to veterans make her an invaluable asset to the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.
- Megan Abeling
- Lisa Adamson
- Mindy Allen
- Susan Arnold
- Amy Azbill
- Cory Baldridge
- Chasity Baldwin
- Jennifer Beattie
- Cyndi Bezold
- Kelsey Billman
- Andrea Bishop
- Leslie Bishop
- Barb Bodnarik
- Rose Boehmer
- Caroline Bollman
- Jeremy Bolser
- Bianca Bostick
- Jessica Bryant
- Brian Burkhardt
- Lisa Burns
- Sami Carder
- James Carl
- Chrissy Caylor
- Brooke Chambers
- Cornelia Clopotel
- Anthony Contini
- Miranda Coyle
- Melissa Craig
- Jessica Crowe
- Angela Deaton
- Skylar Deaton
- Jennifer Dever
- Elizabeth Diaz Fernandez
- Sera Dindia
- Deasa Dorsey
- Randy Duggan
- Lisa Dunhoft
- Carley Dunkman
- Trica Earl
- Autumn Eigel
- Bonnie Eilerman
- Meagan Enneking
- Daniel Ewald
- Brandiss Ewing-Jackson
- John Fahey
- Danielle Fannigan
- Ashley Farrar
- Ann Fay
- Jessica Fitzpatrick
- Nicole Gill
- Kristin Goodrow-Wright
- Lauren Hargis
- Brandi Harris
- Leah Helbling
- Gretchen Hennegan
- Margaret Henry
- Carol Hoeper
- Ashley Holbrook
- Susanna Holley
- Jennifer Hongell
- Diane Hoover
- Melissa Hughes
- Sharon Rose Hull
- Jenna Hunt
- Alexis Hunter
- Cora Hurdle
- Brenda Huskey
- Amy Jackson
- Gretchen Jackson
- Cara Johnson
- Kelly Kelley
- Nicole Kemplin
- Christina Kennard
- Nicole Kidd
- Erica Kirk
- Kyla Kirk
- Nikki Kneflin
- Christina Koch
- Kyleigh Kossoudji
- Kelly Krummen
- Krista Lands
- Yvonne Leffingwell
- Julia Long
- Cathie Lower
- Jasmine Lowry
- Kelsey Martin
- Morgan Martin
- Lauren Massie
- Jenna McMahon
- Alyssa Meador
- Amy Meiners
- Natalia Moese
- Rachel Moler
- Bobbie Moore
- Mary Mullins
- Tricia Myers
- Victoria Naseer
- Melissa Netherwood
- Sue Nickoson
- Sharon Noelker
- Clare Norwood
- Allie O'Keefe
- Letisha Oundo
- Laura Parker- Jacobs
- Ashley Paul
- Holly Pfriem
- Elaine Philipp
- Jessica Powell
- Kim Poynter
- Jeannie Puckett
- Erin Rademacher
- Stephanie Ralston
- Hayden Ramsey
- Katherine Rich
- Elizabeth Riley
- Jacqueline Roethlisberger
- Jared Rogers
- Jessica Rogers
- Gina Rose
- Nina Rothwell
- Emily Rush
- Adam Sandfoss
- Natasha Saylor
- Lauren Saylor-Warren
- Tanya Schaefer
- Anna Schueler
- Jenna Scott
- Jason Shreve
- Lois Siegle
- Benjamin Skove
- Mackenzie Slack
- Taylor Smith
- Joy Sowders
- Summer Steigerwald
- Brittany Stengel
- Kaylin Stockman
- Lisa Storer
- Lacey Summerly
- Mandy Svarda
- Claire Taylor
- Robert Taylor
- Lisa Teegarden
- Maria Thompson
- Michael Thompson
- Adam Town
- Cally Troyer
- Tonya Vilardo
- Michelle Vujic-Gilbert
- Kym Wall
- Carrie Washington
- Sarah Waterman
- Jamie Weber
- Danielle Wessel
- Lucretia White
- Autumne Williams
- Sarah Williams
- Tiana Williams
- Carolyn "CJ" Wilson
- Rebecca Wilson
- Ashley Woolum
- Kathryn Zint
- Jammie Allen
- Kimberly Bales
- Emily Boone
- Kelsey Casdorph
- Julie Collins
- Teri Corbin
- Christina Craft
- Randy Duggan
- Clarissa Edwards
- Simon Fanek
- Frank Farkash
- Sharon Gaunt
- Gordon Gillespie
- Allie Goins
- Hillary Harris
- Melyssa Hoff-Donnellon
- Amy Hubbard
- Lorraine Hughes
- Jennifer Kolar
- Therese Kroeger
- Gwen Lanyi
- Amanda Lavoie
- Gabrielle Marcheschi
- Sandra Medley
- Elizabeth Messer
- Vicki Minnich
- Jordyn Ockerman
- Rachel Podvin
- Lisa Roa
- Michelle Rudisell
- Julia Schartung
- Lisa Schowalter
- Veronica Scott-Fulton
- Ben Sillies
- Lindsey Skop
- Destini Thomas
- Carrie Washington
- Ben Weber
- Paige Willenbrink
Pass the Torch
Each Torch of Excellence Nursing Award recipient carries on the legacy of pioneering nurse leaders who transformed healthcare, igniting the flame for the nursing profession. They advocate for patients and inspire others by improving lives in the local community.
The 2025 Torch of Excellence Nursing Awards celebration highlights Loretta Ford, EdD, RN, PNP, FAAN, FAANP (1920 – 2025). A pioneering figure in the nursing profession, Ford is best known for co-founding the nurse practitioner role, working tirelessly throughout her career to elevate the nursing profession, promote interdisciplinary collaboration and expand the scope of practice for nurses.
Her contributions to the healthcare system are profound, as she played a critical role in shaping modern nursing education, policy, and practice. Ford’s work has had a lasting impact on nursing, helping to create a model of care that emphasizes prevention, health promotion and patient-centered care. Ford’s legacy continues to inspire countless nurses, healthcare professionals and policymakers, as her groundbreaking work in nurse practitioner development has reshaped healthcare delivery across the globe.
Provide Opportunities
The Torch of Excellence Nursing Awards event is also a fundraiser to support nursing scholarships. These scholarships help empower the next generation of nursing leaders by providing the resources needed for education and professional growth. We thank our sponsors for investing in the future of healthcare in the Greater Cincinnati area and ensuring that nursing excellence continues to thrive for years to come.
2025 Award Sponsors
Presenting sponsor
Gold sponsors
Silver sponsor
Bronze sponsors
Iron sponsor
