Excellence in Nursing Awards
CAHEC supports and recognizes outstanding health professionals through our work with The Excellence in Nursing Awards presented by The Colorado Nurses Foundation
2026 Nominations Now Open
https://www.coloradonursesfoundation.com/gala2026
Nominations Close February 9th
The Excellence in Nursing Award (formally Nightingale Award) was established in 1985 to acknowledge the outstanding nurses in our region, whose hard work and dedication improves other's health.
These prestigious awards recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Colorado nurses. From bedside heroes to community leaders, we honor those
who make a difference in the lives of patients and our healthcare system.
Nominate a deserving nurse today!
Statewide 2026 Excellence in Nursing Gala
Saturday May 16th, 2026 6:00PM
Denver Art Museum
https://www.coloradonursesfoundation.com/gala2026
Excellence in Nursing Awards now offers 16 nomination categories!
Excellence in Clinical Practice
Acute Care Clinical Practice (RN and LPN)
Clinical Advanced Practice (RN)
Long Term Care, Rehabilitation (RN and LPN)
Community Nursing (RN and LPN)
Nurse Led Teams: Exceptional Achievements in Nursing
Excellence in Nursing Administration
Nursing Administration - Executive/CNO
Nursing Administration - Leader/Manager
Research and Quality Improvement and Healthcare Policy
Nursing Research
Quality Improvement
Health Care Policy
Excellence in Nursing Education
Nursing Education-Academia
Nursing Education - Nursing Professional Development
Excellence in Nursing Eminence Award
Northeast Colorado Regional Excellence in Nursing Award Selection Committee
Katrina Einhellig, Aims Community College
Jennifer Thistle, Morgan Community College
Jill Zamzow, UCHealth
Maribeth Olson, Melissa Memorial Hospital
Jennifer Sears, Retired
Julia Reinink, Banner Health
Marla Trujillo, Fairacres Manor
Jamie Arfsten, Washington County Nursing Home
Casey Newth, MSN, RN
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL
EXCELLENCE IN NURSING LUMINARIES
ANGELA CALDWELL - Acute Care Clinical Practice RN
EDMON REGACHUELO - Nursing Education Nursing Professional Development
KORY RYAN SCHEIDEMAN - Community Nursing RN
KIM SELL - Nursing Administration Leader/Manager
UCHEALTH NORTH REGION STROKE TEAM - Nurse Led Teams
Congratulations to the 2025
NE Regional Luminary Nominees
Angela Caldwell
Megan Carrillo
Kaicey Carson
Darnell Osburn
Luis Pastrana
Edmon Regachuelo
Bernie Ridel
Kory Ryan Scheideman
Kim Sell
Nicole Taylor
UCHealth North Region Stroke Team
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024 NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL NIGHTINGALE LUMINARIES
NATALIE POOL - Nursing Education Academia
LOLA FEHR - Excellence in Nursing Eminence Award
VANESSA MATTESON - Nursing Quality Improvement
NICOLE OLSON - Clinical Practice RN
AECIAN PENDLETON - Community Nursing RN
JASMINE SHEA - Nursing Administration Leader/Manager
Congratulations to the 2024 NE Regional Luminary Nominees
Natalie Pool
Lola Fehr
Edmon Regachuelo
Darnell Osburn
Vanessa Matteson
Nicole Olson
Telena Rogers
Aecian Pendleton
Brandon Schneider
Jasmine Shea
CONGRATULATIONS
2022 REGIONAL LUMINARY RECIPIENTS
MEGAN RENTEL - Clinical Advocacy
KATRINA EINHELLIG - Non-Traditional Advocacy
LINDSAY KIDD - Clinical Innovation
DENISE RUSH - Clinical Leadership
JENNIFER THISTLE - Non-Traditional Leadership
Congratulations to the 2022 NE Regional Luminary Nominees
Alyssa Medeiros
Christina Kuehster
Denise Rush
Hali Aiona
Jennifer Thistle
Katrina Einhellig
Kristin Bisceglia-Smith
Lindsay Kidd
Megan Rentel
Rhonda Turner