Memorial Sloan Kettering nurses play an indispensable role in ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care. Each year during National Nurses Week, we honor and celebrate our distinguished nurses and patient care support staff with the Robbins Family Awards for outstanding service in nursing and patient care support.

The award winners are nominated by fellow nurses, administrators, doctors, and patients. Supported by the Robbins Family since 2020, the awards honor excellence in advance practice nursing, nursing practice, leadership, education, research, clinical trials nursing, and patient care. Prior to 2020, these were the Samuel and May Rudin Awards for Nursing Excellence and supported by the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation.

2022

• Excellence in Collaboration
  Nora Love, MS, RN, CNS, CURN, OCN
  Amy Caramore, BSN, RN, CEN
  Kathleen McAllan, BSN, RN, PCCN
  Likhita Kanneganti, MS, BS
  Jessica Leone, MSN, RN, PCCN
• Excellence in Clinical Nursing Leadership
  Thomas Bracken, MA, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Patient Experience
  Megan Graham, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, RN
• Excellence in Humanitarian Efforts
  Jennifer Ogilvie, MSN, RN, NE-BC
• Excellence in Innovation
  Melissa Zimmerman, MS, BSN, RN-BC
• Excellence in Mentorship
  Kameelah Brown, MSN, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Nursing Support
  Dashawn Gadsden
• Excellence in Nursing Partnership
  Brian Kelly, BA, JD, MDiv
• Excellence in Advancing the Nursing Profession
  Caroline Clark, MSN, APRN, OCN, AG-CNS

2021

• Excellence in Clinical Nursing Leadership  
  Melody Rosamilia, MSN, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Patient Experience  
  Tamara Strah, DNP, RN, CNOR
• Excellence in Advancing the Nursing Profession
  Debra O’Shea, MSN, RN, AOCNS, EBP-C  
• Excellence in Humanitarian Efforts  
  Tracey O’Keeffe, BSN, RN, CCRN 
• Excellence in Innovation  
  Jericho Garcia, MSN, RN-BC
• Excellence in Mentorship
  Nancy M. Borzain, MA, RN, OCN, NE-BC
• Excellence in Nursing Support
  Venessa Rubano
• Excellence in Nursing Partnership
  Julio Eugenio
• Excellence in Collaboration  
  Rapid Technology Innovation in Response to COVID-19
  • You Chung, MSN, RN-BC, CCRN-K
  • Hector DeJesus
  • Melissa Zimmermann, MS, BSN, RN-BC
  • Tham Nguyen, MSN, RN-BC
  • Dave Vang, MSN, RN
  • Eric Froehlich, MS, BSN, RN-BC
  • Tania Bubb, PhD, RN
  • Ashley Jackson
  • Jennifer Larbi
  • Vyacheslav Belovsky
  • Sergey Kovalev
  • Jeff Francisquini
  • Joyce Burkett
  • Thomas Cheng
  • Michelle Rausen
  • Michelle Cavuoto, MA, RN, OCN, CNIV
  • Andrew Graham, DNP, RN, PCCN-K
  • Yekaterina Tayban, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, GNP-BC
  • Jay Isbell, MD

2020

• Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice
  Leon Chen, DNP, RN, AGACNP-BC, FCCP, FAANP
• Excellence in Nursing Practice
  Jessica Agostini, BSN, RN, CCRN
• Excellence in Nursing Leadership
  Andrea Smith, BSN, RN, CBCN
• Excellence in Nursing Education
  Jennifer Fox, MSN, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Clinical Trials Nursing
  Meghan Salcedo, MSN, RN-BC, OCN
• Excellence in Nursing Research
  Kristen Fessele, Phd, RN, ANP-BC, AOCN
• Excellence in Patient Care Support
  Joseph Kesselbrenner, MBA, CPHQ

2019

• Excellence in Nursing Education
  Liz McNulty, MA, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Patient Care Support
  Ronald Whitlock, BS
• Excellence in Clinical Trials Nursing
  Claudia Diamonte, BSN, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice
  Kate Tayban, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, GNP-BC
• Excellence in Nursing Leadership
  Blanca Vasquez-Clarfield, MA, RN, CNML, OCN
• Excellence in Nursing Research
  Jennifer Ross, MSN, RN, CRNA
• Excellence in Nursing Practice
  Meagan Harrington McQuade, MSN, RN, OCN

2018

• Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice
  Hilda Quintanilla, ANP-C, AOCNP
• Excellence in Nursing Practice
  Joy Jarrett, MSN, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Nursing Leadership
  Amy Paolino, RN, CPAN
• Excellence in Nursing Education
  Jibran Majeed, MSN, ACNP-BC, CCRN
• Excellence in Clinical Trials Nursing
  Elizabeth Halton, ANP-C, AOCNP
• Excellence in Nursing Research
  Jessica Goldberg, AGPC-NP, ACHP
• Excellence in Patient Care Support
  David Brobbey, Patient Care Technician

2017

• Excellence in Nursing Leadership
  Mary Eagan, MSN, RN, ONC, NE-BC
• Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice
  Elisabeth Wall, PhD, CNS, AOCNS
• Excellence in Nursing Practice
  Caroline Clark, BSN, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Nursing Education
  May Saulan, MSN, MPA, RN, CNOR
• Excellence in Clinical Trials Nursing
  Yelena Shames, MS, ACNP-BC, CNRN
• Excellence in Patient Care Support
  Betty Phelps

2016

• Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice
  Anthony Delacruz, RN, ANP-BC, OCN
• Excellence in Nursing Practice
  Erica Bland, BSN, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Nursing Leadership
  Ashley Hole, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, OCN, CPON
• Excellence in Nursing Education
  Annette Roman, MSN, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Nursing Research
  Catherine Finlayson, MS, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Patient Care Support
  Kenneth Belt, Unit Assistant, Urgent Care Center

2015

• Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice
  Kimberly Chow, MS, ANP-BC, ACHPN
• Excellence in Nursing Practice
  Natalie Bell, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, OCN
• Excellence in Nursing Leadership
  Rhonda D’Agostino, ACNP-BC, CEN, CCRN, FCCM
• Excellence in Nursing Education
  Jamie McNally, MSN, MA, RN, CCRN, CPHON
• Excellence in Nursing Research
  Erica Fischer-Cartlidge, MSN, CNS, CBCN, AOCNS
• Excellence in Patient Care Support
  Ethel Oliphant, CNA

2014

• Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice
  Vashti Livingston, MSN, RN, CWOCN
• Excellence in Nursing Practice
  Mary Yanolatos, BSN, RN, CPAN
• Excellence in Nursing Leadership
  Jeanine Gordon, MSN, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Nursing Education
  Debra Rodrigue, MSN, RN
• Excellence in Nursing Research
  Theresa Brunner, BSN, RN, CPAN
• Excellence in Patient Care Support
  Kaman Gilbert, Patient Care Technician

2013

• Excellence in Nursing Practice
  Fred Haro-Zuniga, RN
• Excellence in Nursing Practice
  Virginia Morales, MSN, RN
• Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice
  Joseph Narus, DNP, APRN, NP-BC
• Excellence in Nursing Leadership
  Karen Collum, MSN, RN
• Excellence in Nursing Education
  Janine Kennedy, MSN, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Patient Care Support
  Katherine Gamble

2012

• Excellence in Nursing Practice
  Christy Shea, BSN, RN, CPAN
• Excellence in Nursing Research
  Ethel Law, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, OCN
• Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice
  Wayne Quashie, MSN, RN, OCN
• Excellence in Nursing Leadership
  Lystra Swift, MA, RN, CNOR
• Excellence in Nursing Education
  Elizabeth Grahn, MSN, NP-C, CWOCN
• Excellence in Patient Care Support
  Christina Grant

An acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, the DAISY Foundation was formed in November 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The nursing care that Patrick received when hospitalized profoundly touched his family.

In Patrick’s memory, to say thank you to nurses everywhere, his family established a recognition program, the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Through this and other recognition programs, they honor the superhuman work that nurses do for patients and families every day.

DAISY Award Winners

2019

• Nina Sohn Bachman, RN
• Ellen Mulkerrins Hernandez, RN
• Noelle Paul, RN

2018

• Patricia Walsh, RN
• Danielle Silletti, RN
• Eun Son, RN

2017

• Anne-Marie Hennessy, RN
• Bonita Lee Smith, RN
• Kara Freedman, RN

2016

• Brenda Ryan, RN
• Barbara Adamo, RN
• Kristine Cooper, RN
• Maureen Mullaly-Franca, RN

2015

• Celia Mills, RN
• Cheryl Co, RN
• Kara Stemplewicz, RN
• Christina Hogan, RN

2014

• Jaity Tobee, RN
• Mary Eliza McEachen, RN
• Thomas Springer, RN
• Tina Alano, RN

2013

• Gretchen Marino, RN
• Virginia Pfeifer, RN
• Tara Stampe, RN
• Kerri Carle, RN

2012

• Carina Marasigan- Stone, RN
• Lori Gofter, RN
• Diana Tam, RN
• Maureen Laffey, RN

2011

• Paul Honmyhr, RN

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, created by the family of Patrick Barnes in 1999, has grown into a recognition program embraced by healthcare organizations around the world.

As the foundation grew, it recognized that it often takes an entire team to achieve better patient and family outcomes. The DAISY Team Award was designed to honor collaboration by two or more people, led by a nurse, who identify and meet a patient’s or patient’s family’s needs by going above and beyond the traditional role of nursing.

Daisy Team Award Winners

2018

• Team Name: Urgent Care Center (UCC)
• Team Project: Effective teamwork
• Project Description: The UCC can be equally challenging during the day or night shift. Despite the high level of acuity on the unit, the entire UCC team never fails to rise to the occasion. Their expertise, mutual respect, and compassion make it all look like one beautiful, well-choreographed operation.
• Team Members: UCC staff, including nurses, PCTs, UAs, doctors, and Environmental

2017

• Team Name: 53rd Street Fertility Champions
• Team Project: Providing knowledge and instilling confidence in outpatient nurses
• Project Description: A group of four outpatient nurses from varying areas of 53rd Street demonstrated an interest in fertility preservation and safe sexual practices for patients. They initiated a collaboration with MSK’s fertility nurse specialists to become the 53rd Street Fertility Champions. Their goal was to provide knowledge and instill confidence in their colleagues about fertility and safe sexual practices to ensure that they were providing evidence-based quality care to patients.
• Team Members: Elizabeth Cruz, CN IV OPN STGI; Amanda Leung, CN III Chemotherapy Nurse; Ashley Hehir, CN IV OPN Melanoma/Sarcoma; and Katie Fox, CN II OPN STGI

The Shining Star Award is a recognition program in the Department of Nursing that was launched to allow nurses to recognize and honor exemplary direct care members of the nursing support team. Shining Star Award honorees personify the Department of Nursing’s core values of compassion, advocacy, relationships, and excellence. They consistently demonstrate these values through exemplary and compassionate care, and are recognized as role models in our nursing community.

Shining Star Award Winners

2018

• Katy Sinclair, NA – Memorial 9, Inpatient Pediatrics
• Curtisann Gairy, PCT – Memorial 7 - Transplant, Acute Care Services

2017

• Jasmattie Persaud, PCT – M2 SDH PACU, Perioperative Services
• Chandrabose Matadin, PCT – ICU, Acute Care and Critical Care, and Pediatrics
• Gretchen Rivera, PCT – Basking Ridge, Outpatient Regional Care Network
• Jesus Segovia, PCT – M15, Acute Care Services
• Monica Adu, Ophthalmic Tech – Ophthalmology Outpatient Services

2016

• Nathalie Bonilla, PCT – Josie Robertson Surgery Center, Perioperative Services
• Christine Angeles, PCT – Basking Ridge, Outpatient Regional Services
• Miriam Knight, PCT – Gynecological Surgery, Outpatient Services
• Veronica Ginn, PCT – Acute Care Services
• Rimonds Blot, PCT – Treatment Room, Acute and Critical Care, and Pediatrics

2014

• Yvonne McPherson, PCT – Presurgical Center, M2, Perioperative Services
• Nancy Byer-Russell, PCT – 64th Street Lymphoma, Ambulatory Care Services
• Lucila Ang, PCT – Acute Care Services, M15, Ambulatory Care Services
• Sara Bowerbank, PCT – Basking Ridge, Outpatient Regional Services
• Rosita Cooks, NA – Pediatric Day Hospital, Acute and Critical Care, and Pediatrics

2013

• Pauline McCown, PCT – Head and Neck Service, Outpatient Care Services
• Margarette Goold, PCT – Memorial 7, Acute Care Services
• Suzanne Eaton, PCT – Hauppauge Dermatology, Outpatient Regional Care Services
• Yuliana Londono, NA – Presurgical Center, Perioperative Services
• Kawalwatie Singh, PCT – Memorial 17, Critical Care and Pediatric Services

The Department of Nursing’s External Awards Committee, which is made up of nurses, seeks recognition for MSK nurses outside of the organization by facilitating nominations for a variety of awards from professional and community organizations and healthcare publications. It is responsible for MSK nurses receiving more than 100 external awards since the committee’s inception in 2013.

External Nursing Award Winners

2019

• Elizabeth McNulty, Nurse Educator – ANPD Educator of the Year Award, Association of Nursing Professional Development

2018

• Kathleen Keenan, Nurse Practitioner – Board-Certified Nurse Award in the Adult Nurse Practitioner, American Nurses Credentialing Center

2017

• Nancy Houlihan, Director of Evidence-Based Practice – ONS Lifetime Achievement Award, Oncology Nursing Society

2016

• Chasity Walters, Director of Patient Education – Excellence in Patient/Public Education Award, Oncology Nursing Society

2015

• Jeanine Gordon, RN – Compassionate Care Award, National Pancreas Foundation

2014

• Virginia Morales, RN – Pearl Moore “Making a Difference” Frontline Care Award, Oncology Nursing Society

2013

• Hyun Joo Lee, Nursing Clinical Analyst – Winner of the Technological Innovations category, New York Times

MSK Nurse Authors

MSK Library — Synapse
Your connection to MSK’s Department of Nursing authors.

The Distinguished Speaker Series is generously sponsored by The Society of MSK. In 2010, The Society had the vision to sponsor a speaker series featuring conversations with prominent nurse leaders about their personal and professional experiences and a variety of contemporary topics.

Distinguished Speaker Presentations

2018

• Title: Incivility
• Panelists:
  • Tracy Gosselin, PhD, RN, AOCN – Chief Nursing and Patient Care Services Officer, Duke University Hospital
  • Anne Ireland, MSN, RN, AOCN, CENP – Executive Director, Community Nursing Practice and Outreach, City of Hope National Medical Center

2017

• Title: Mindful Practice
• Panelists:
  • Teri Britt Pipe, PhD, RN – Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Innovation Chief Well-Being Officer, Arizona State University
  • Eloise Balasco Cathcart, MS, RN, FAAN – Clinical Associate Professor and Program Director of Nursing Administration, New York University Rory Meyers School of Nursing
  • Susan Bauer-Wu, PhD, RN, FAAN – President, Mind and Life Institute


2016

• A Conversation with Editors of Peer-Reviewed Nursing Journals
• Panelists:
  • Anne Katz, PhD, RN, FAAN – Editor-in-Chief, Oncology Nursing Forum
  • Maureen Kennedy, MA, RN, FAAN – Editor-in-Chief, American Journal of Nursing
  • Donna Nickitas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN – Editor, Nursing Economics
  • Rosanne Raso, MS, RN, NEA-BC – Editor-in-Chief, Nursing Management

2015

• Embracing Evidence-Based Practice to Strengthen Outcomes
• Panelists:
  • Anne Dabrow Woods, DNP, RN, CRNP, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC, FAAN – Chief Nurse, Health Learning, Research, and Practice, Wolters Kluwer
  • Lynn Gallaher Ford, PhD, RN, DPFNAP, NE-BC – Director, Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare
  • Christy Dempsey, MSN, MBA, CNOR, CENP – Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, Press Ganey Associates

2014

• Meet the Deans: The Future of Nursing Education
• Panelists:
  • Gail McCain, PhD, RN, FAAN – Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing and School of Health Professionals
  • Eileen Sullivan-Marx, PhD, RN, FAAN – Dean and Erline Perkins McGriff Professor of Nursing, New York University College of Nursing
  • Patricia Gonce Morton, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FAAN – University of Utah College of Nursing; Editor, Journal of Professional Nursing

2013

• Raising the Bar: Shaping the Future of Nursing
• Panelists:
  • Patricia Benner, PhD, RN, FAAN
  • Colleen Goode PhD, RN, FAAN, NEA-BC
  • Donna Schick, MA, RN, FNP-BC

2012

• Nursing Leadership’s Role in the Integration of Technology in Healthcare
• Panelists:
  • Judy Murphy, RN, FACMI, FHIMS, FAAN – Deputy National Coordinator for Program and Policy, Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC
  • Gail Latimer, MSN, RN, FACHE, FAAN – Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Government Affairs, Siemens Healthcare
  • Nancy Staggers, PhD, RN, FAAN – Professor, Informatics, Biomedical Informatics, University of Maryland School of Nursing

2011

• Nursing Leadership: Leading Professional Organizations
• Panelists:
  • Laura Caramanica, PhD, RN, CENP, FACHE – President, American Organization of Nurse Executives
  • Linda Groah, MSN, RN, CNOR NEA-BC FAAN – Executive Officer and CEO, Association of Peri-Operative Registered Nurses
  • Paula Trahan Rieger, MSN, RN, CAE, FAAN – Chief Executive Officer, Oncology Nursing Society

2010

• Current Perspectives on Nursing Research
• Panelists:
  • Linda Aiken, PhD, RN, FRC, FAAN
  • Marcia Grant, DNSc, RN, FAAN
  • Marita Titler, PhD, RN, FAAN

2009

• Caring Practice at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Panelists:
  • Marie Manthey, MNA, FAAN, FRCN
  • Jean Watson, RN, PhD, AHN-BC, FAAN
  • Kristen M. Swanson, RN, PhD, FAAN