Sarah Gray Honored with Inaugural Debbie Dawson Hatmaker Leadership Award™
American Nurses Enterprise recognizes Sigma’s chief nursing officer for exemplary, values-based leadership at the 2025 Magnet & Pathway Conference™
ATLANTA – October 8, 2025 – The American Nurses Enterprise (ANE) announced that Sarah Gray, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CEN, FAEN, chief nursing officer of Sigma, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Debbie Dawson Hatmaker Leadership Award™ at the 2025 Magnet & Pathway Conference™ in Atlanta.
This new award honors a nurse leader who exemplifies the highest standards of values-based leadership—leading with integrity, authenticity, and purpose. Gray’s unwavering commitment to these principles has inspired colleagues and elevated the nursing profession through her exceptional leadership.
“Sarah Gray represents the very best of nursing leadership,” said Angela Beddoe, chief executive officer of the American Nurses Enterprise. “Her ability to lead with compassion and conviction, while fostering environments of trust and collaboration, sets a powerful example for the profession. We are honored to celebrate her as the first recipient of this meaningful award.”
Gray was recognized for her ability to foster trust, build collaborative teams, and create workplaces rooted in ethical behavior and shared values.
“I’m deeply honored, excited, and humbled to receive the inaugural Debbie Dawson Hatmaker Leadership Award,” said Gray. “This recognition is especially meaningful because it celebrates the spirit of leadership, advocacy, and the dedicated service that Dr. Hatmaker has exemplified throughout her career. This award inspires me to continue amplifying the voice of nurses, champion innovation, and foster environments where both patients and nurses thrive.”
The Debbie Dawson Hatmaker Leadership Award™ will be presented annually to recognize nurse leaders who embody the values, courage, and integrity that define the nursing profession and the legacy of Dr. Hatmaker’s leadership.
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About the American Nurses Enterprise
The American Nurses Enterprise champions nurses by harnessing The Power of Nurses™ to drive transformation and innovation across the healthcare landscape. As the unifying force behind three foundational pillars—the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the American Nurses Foundation—the enterprise sets the professional standards that empower nurse-led innovation, advocacy, and research. By uniting these core organizations, the enterprise advances the nursing profession and shapes a healthier future for communities nationwide and around the globe.
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.
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