American Nurses Association Announces Final 2026 ANA National Award Recipients
Outstanding nurse leaders and nonprofit organization recognized for significant positive impact on nursing profession and public health
SILVER SPRING, MD – Today, the American Nurses Association (ANA) announced the remaining recipients of the highly prestigious 2026 ANA National Awards, which recognize outstanding nurses and organizational champions for their vital contributions to the nursing profession, leadership, and public health. On June 25, ANA will hold a ceremony in Washington, D.C. to celebrate The Power of Nurses™, and to honor the measurable and enduring advances made to the nursing profession by these nurses and organizations.
EARLY CAREER NURSE LEADER AWARD
The Early Career Nurse Leader Award recognizes nurses for significant accomplishments and contributions as an emerging leader.
- Lo-Ruchama Hilaire, BSN, RN, ANA-New York
- Moselle Jules, BSN, RN, ANA-New York
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE AWARD
The Public Health Service Award recognizes the exceptional leadership and outstanding professional contributions to shaping the role and advancing the practice of public health nursing. This award is inspired by Pearl McIver, who dedicated her career to promoting and protecting the health of people and communities in her role as a public health nurse.
- Allison Jones, DNAP, MSN, CRNA, APRN, CNE, Georgia Nurses Association
- Rachel Melson, DNP, FNP-C, Missouri Nurses Association
CHAMPION OF NURSING AWARD
The Champion of Nursing Award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated a commitment to the mission of ANA through distinguished service and valuable assistance to the nursing profession as well as recognition of and support for registered nurses.
- The DAISY Foundation
“This year’s ANA National Award recipients represent the dynamic and growing influence of the nursing profession,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, President of the American Nurses Association. “These honorees remind us of the difference that nurses and nursing champions make every day in our society. We’re proud to celebrate their accomplishments and honor the pivotal role they play in advancing health and excellence in patient care.”
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About the American Nurses Association
As the oldest organization representing more than 5 million registered nurses, the American Nurses Association stands at the forefront of advancing nursing excellence. The association harnesses The Power of Nurses™ to champion the profession and drive transformation in healthcare. Through legislative and political advocacy, comprehensive educational services, and the profession’s leading Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards, the association empowers nurses across every specialty and practice setting. The association is committed to ensuring healthy work environments, shaping pioneering policies, and cultivating partnerships that enhance both the nursing profession and the broader healthcare experience.
MEDIA CONTACT: newsroom@ana.org
About The DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from Nurses while he was ill inspired the creation of The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses, an evidenced-based means of providing Nurse recognition and thanking Nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 7,600 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition programs for nurses wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve, and throughout their careers- from nursing student through lifetime achievement, and through several lines of research grant and evidence-based practice projects funding.
More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.