American Nurses Credentialing Center Announces 2025 National Magnet Nurse of the Year® Award Recipients
Five nurses recognized at the Magnet & Pathway Conference™ in Atlanta for advancing excellence in practice, leadership, innovation, and patient outcomes
ATLANTA – October 9, 2025 – Today, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) announced the recipients of the 2025 National Magnet Nurse of the Year® Awards during the Magnet & Pathway Conference™ in Atlanta.
The National Magnet Nurse of the Year Awards recognize the outstanding contributions of clinical nurses by acknowledging clinical nurse contributions exemplifying excellence in leadership and innovation in each of the five Magnet® Model components: Transformational Leadership; Structural Empowerment; Exemplary Professional Practice; New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements; and Empirical Outcomes.
Congratulations to the 2025 honorees:
- Transformational Leadership: Morgan Fischer, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM – Staff Nurse, Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, Houston
- Structural Empowerment: Deanna Benner, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, ChristianaCare, Newark, Delaware
- Exemplary Professional Practice: Joy Thornton, BSN, RN, CPN – Clinical Program Coordinator, Division of Urology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
- New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements: Renee Bloom, MSN, RNC-NIC, RNC-LRN – NICU RN Unit Supervisor, Inova Health System-Fair Oaks Hospital, Fairfax, VA
- Empirical Outcomes: Huong Mai, BSN, RN, CPN – Clinical Nurse, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago
Each honoree has demonstrated remarkable leadership, innovation, and commitment to improving care delivery and advancing nursing practice. From developing human trafficking response protocols, launching environmental sustainability programs, and expanding diagnostic access for children, to driving groundbreaking neonatal research and improving interprofessional teamwork, these nurses exemplify the impact of nursing excellence on patients, families, and communities.
“These honorees represent the very best of our profession. These are nurses whose leadership, innovation, and compassion are transforming care and improving outcomes for patients and communities,” said Brad Goettl, DNP, DHA, RN, FAAN, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer of the American Nurses Enterprise. “Their work exemplifies what it means to advance excellence in nursing and demonstrates the profound impact nurses make every day.”
The Exemplary Professional Practice Magnet Nurse of the Year Award is sponsored by EBSCO.
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About American Nurses Credentialing Center
The American Nurses Credentialing Center partners with the nation’s largest group of healthcare professionals to uphold the highest standards of nursing excellence. With a comprehensive suite of individual certifications and organizational accreditation programs designed to foster research, innovation, career growth, and leadership development, the credentialing center equips nurses to achieve safer, patient-centric outcomes both nationally and internationally. Committed to harnessing The Power of Nurses™ to elevate care standards worldwide, the credentialing center continuously sets the benchmarks that support excellence in every facet of nursing practice.
About the Magnet® Recognition Program
The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence, and innovations in professional nursing practice. Consumers rely on the Magnet® designation as the ultimate credential for high-quality nursing. Developed by ANCC, Magnet is the leading source of successful nursing practices and strategies worldwide.
About the Magnet & Pathway Conference™
The Magnet & Pathway Conference™ is the largest gathering of nurses in the world, convening thousands of frontline nurses, nurse leaders, executives, and innovators every year. Hosted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, this premier annual event celebrates excellence in nursing, advances evidence-based practice, and showcases the power of nurses to transform health care. Through dynamic keynote sessions, cutting-edge education, networking opportunities, and recognition of Magnet® and Pathway to Excellence® organizations, the conference empowers nurses across every setting to lead change and elevate the profession.
MEDIA CONTACT: newsroom@ana.org