American Nurses Credentialing Center Announces 2025 Pathway Nurse of the Year® Award Recipients
Three nurses honored at the Magnet & Pathway Conference™ in Atlanta for advancing leadership, safety, quality, and well-being in practice environments
ATLANTA – October 9, 2025 – The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) today announced the recipients of the 2025 Pathway Nurse of the Year Award™ at the Magnet & Pathway Conference™ in Atlanta.
The awards honor exceptional nurses and nurse partners from Pathway to Excellence®-designated organizations worldwide who exemplify the program’s standards of Shared Decision-Making & Leadership, Safety & Quality, or Well-Being & Professional Development. These honorees have made lasting contributions to their practice environments by fostering collaboration, advancing professional practice, and improving the well-being of colleagues and patients alike.
Congratulations to the 2025 recipients:
- Shared Decision-Making & Leadership: Michael Underwood, BSc, RN – Pathway to Excellence Lead, Imperial College Healthcare Trust (UK). Recognized for embedding the Pathway to Excellence® framework into organizational strategy and workforce planning, empowering nurses through shared governance, and fostering a culture of recognition and retention.
- Safety & Quality: Roxanne Harris, MSN, RN, IBCLC, CCE, CBBBE – Maternal Health Navigator, Augusta Health (VA). Honored for pioneering initiatives addressing homelessness, the opioid crisis, and maternal health disparities, including developing partnerships with shelters and correctional facilities, creating sustainable menstrual health solutions, and leading programs that expand access to prenatal care.
- Well-Being & Professional Development: Donnel Jones, BSN, RN, CRRN, CBIS – Charge Nurse 1, Roper Hospital (SC). Celebrated for advancing evidence-based practice in brain injury care, mentoring peers, implementing innovative staff wellness supports, and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration that improved patient safety and satisfaction.
“These recipients exemplify the very best of nursing leadership, compassion, and innovation,” said Brad Goettl, DNP, DHA, RN, FAAN, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer of the American Nurses Enterprise. “Their work demonstrates how Pathway-designated organizations empower nurses to lead change and create environments where both patients and caregivers thrive.”
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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 Pathway to Excellence® Program
The Pathway to Excellence® Program recognizes health care and long-term care organizations for positive practice environments where nurses excel. To qualify, organizations meet Pathway Standards essential to an ideal nursing practice environment. Nurses trust that Pathway-designated organizations respect their contributions, support professional development, and nurture optimal work settings.
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