Press Release: Texas Nurses Association Announces 25 Outstanding Texas Nurses for 2023

For Immediate Release

May 9, 2023

Contact: Lisa Maxwell
Texas Nurses Association
lmaxwell@texasnurses.org
512.452.0648 x 130

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Texas Nurses Association Announces 25 Outstanding Texas Nurses for 2023

Annual award recognizes nurses who excelled, innovated or went above and beyond in the previous year.

The annual award recognizes the contributions of 25 outstanding Texas registered nurses.  Nurses who have made a difference can be nominated by their peers, community, friends, family or employers for a variety of reasons.  Honorees are nurses who create a culture of care, nurses who play a vital role in supporting health and wellness, nurse innovators, community contributors, and frontline heroes.

Award Recipients

• Aaron Salinas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, NRP UT Health Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg
• Allison Wojcik, BSN, RN, AMB-BC Baylor Scott & White, Round Rock
• Amanda Williams, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG Baylor Scott & White, Round Rock
• Amy Boothe, DNP, RN, CHSE Texas Tech Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Lubbock
• Autumn McNiel, MSN, RN, NEA-BC Baylor Scott & White, Marble Falls
• Elisabeth Frost, RN-BSN, IBCLC Baylor Scott & White, Round Rock
• Hollis Franco, Ph.D., RN, MEDSURG-BC Texas Tech Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Lubbock
• Janna Berg, BSN, RN, CPN Children’s Health, Children’s Medical Center, Dallas
• Jill Sarro, MSN, RN, CPHON Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
• Keira Brown, RN, BSN, RN-BC Baylor Scott & White, Irving
• Kelly C. Mullis, MBA, BSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC Baylor Scott & White, Marble Falls
• Krystal Rae McClung, BSN, RN Baylor Scott & White, Round Rock
• Linda Venzke, MSN, RN UTMB, Galveston
• Lori Spies, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-C, FAANP Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Dallas
• Madalyn Penland, BSN, RN Baylor Scott & White, Round Rock
• Marie Kelly Lindley, Ph.D., RN, CNE Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Dallas
• Meaghen Pleasants, MSN-Ed, RN, CMSRN Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas
• Melonie Ankerholz, RN, MSN-MHA Baylor Scott & White, Marble Falls
• Michelle Rhea, RN, MS, NE-BC Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, Houston
• Rhonda Manor-Coombes, BSN, RN, TCRN Baylor Scott & White, Lakeway
• Sally A. Gillam, DNP, MAHS, RN, NEA-BC Baylor Scott & White, Hutto
• Scott M. Williams, DNP, RN, NE-BC Baylor Scott & White, Irving
• TaCharra Laury, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, AOCNP University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
• Tera Holland, BSN, RN, CPN Children’s Health, Children’s Medical Center, Dallas
• Yasmin La-arni S. Horlador, RN, BSN Baylor Scott & White, Marble Falls

In addition to the awardees, TNA is also recognizing an additional 51 nurses whose contributions raise them to the level of honorable mention. Please visit our website to learn more about these extraordinary nurses.

Nurses are the nation’s largest group of health care professionals and the most trusted profession. They serve a critical role within America’s health care infrastructure. “In the wake of the pandemic, nurses have been faced with numerous challenges including being short staffed and having to find new ways to provide care,” said Serena Bumpus, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CEO of TNA. “Shining a light on their accomplishments is one small way we can thank them.”

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About Texas Nurses Association
The Texas Nurses Association (TNA) is a statewide membership-based professional association of registered nurses. Our vision is to empower Texas Nurses to advance the profession. Founded in 1907, TNA is the longest established and largest nursing association in Texas.

Contact us at tna@texasnurses.org. Follow TNA on Facebook  and Twitter for updates.