Excellence in Action: 2026 School of Nursing Award Winners
Undergraduate Award Recipients
The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing is delighted to acknowledge the achievements of fourteen students and four educators through the conferment of the 2026 School of Nursing Academic Awards. These esteemed awards are granted each year to honor outstanding students and educators who exhibit exceptional academic prowess, leadership skills, service to the community, and a deep devotion to the nursing profession.
Caleb Anderson, ABSN
ABSN Graduation Speaker
Caleb Anderson’s peers see him as a natural leader in the accelerated BSN (ABSN) program, bringing energy, connection, and genuine positivity into every room he enters. Anderson’s classmates consistently describe him as the person who unites the cohort, celebrates their successes, and motivates them through challenge-filled days. One nominator shared, “Caleb was one of the first students I met in this program… His energy and ability to relate to others make him an engaging presenter and speaker.” Another added, “Caleb is a very outgoing person and is friends with everyone in the ABSN program… he has great energy that inspires everyone.”
Anderson’s leadership has extended beyond the classroom. As the Student Nurses’ Association president, he helped students feel included and involved, encouraging participation in community events and fostering a sense of belonging. A fellow student noted, “Caleb inspired the ABSN cohort to get together outside of class and rely on each other during stressful times. He always tries to include everyone and motivates the people around him to do their best work.” Whether organizing activities or offering encouragement to classmates facing difficult moments, Anderson has consistently shown what it means to lead with kindness and conviction.
“One year ago, I could not have imagined that my life would be filled with so much excitement, joy, friendship, fun, and love,” Anderson said. “In my speech, I want to reflect on the good times, acknowledge how we handled the challenges with humor and grace, and look to the future with positivity and hope.”
Through enthusiasm, sincerity, and unwavering support for his peers, Anderson has become a voice for his class and a fitting choice to represent them at graduation.
About the Graduation Speaker Role
The graduation speaker is a student selected annually from each program to deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony. This honor is given to students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the nursing profession, possess strong communication skills, and have the ability to inspire and motivate their peers.
Peter Felt, ABSN
School of Nursing Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Peter Felt’s compassion, curiosity, and quiet determination set him apart. Classmates describe Felt as someone who not only excels academically but also brings deep humanity to every interaction. One nominator shared that “the compassion that he carries for his patients and the profession shines through his attitude and bedside care,” adding that he is the kind of peer who “acts as emotional support when times are tough.”
Felt’s personal journey through nursing school reflects that same blend of vulnerability and strength. He shared candidly about the self-doubt he carried into the program, recalling a warning he received when first voicing that he wanted to be a nurse: ‘I don’t see it for you.’ Those words lingered, fueling internal questions about whether he was “smart enough,” “empathetic enough,” or capable of staying calm under pressure. But as the accelerated program unfolded, he slowly, steadily found evidence that he was more capable than he believed.
Felt said he watched his first pathophysiology lecture three times, bracing for failure, only to find an A waiting for him in the gradebook. He spent long nights in Signe Skott Cooper Hall pushing through repetition and fatigue until the material clicked. By end of term, he had earned a 4.0 GPA. “ It wasn’t the result of effortless understanding or natural brilliance, but of long nights, repetition, and refusing to quit,” he said.
His clinical experiences further solidified that confidence. When a patient became unresponsive, Felt moved instinctively, calling his preceptor, initiating CPR, and staying focused amid the chaos. “For the first time,” he said, “I confronted my inner doubt and answered it with a powerful, resounding ‘enough.’ ”
“My time in nursing school has been the bumpiest ride of my life, but it has shaped me into the most inspired version of myself,” he says. Felt’s hard work has paid off. He landed his dream role in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) and hopes to one day precept future students. His goal is simple and profound: to help someone else silence the voice that once told him, “You’re not capable,” and replace it with belief.
About the School of Nursing Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
The Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award is bestowed upon a nursing student who excels in academic performance, clinical competence, and professional and community service.
Brandon Kreger, TBSN
TBSN Graduation Speaker
From the earliest days of the traditional BSN (TBSN) program, Brandon Kreger established himself as a strong, encouraging advocate for his cohort—someone who spoke up, shared resources, and helped classmates feel at ease in a new environment. Nominators describe him as a student who elevates the learning experience for everyone around him. One classmate wrote, “Brandon has always been a huge voice for our cohort, consistently sharing ideas and outside resources with the entire class.” Another added, “Brandon has been a phenomenal representation of the professionalism and dedication required from a Badger nurse,” noting in particular the dedication he brought to his role as Student Ambassador.
Kreger’s classmates highlight his passion for learning and for helping others learn. Whether offering insights from recent research, answering questions during lectures, or presenting on diabetes with clarity and enthusiasm, he is known for making complex topics feel engaging and accessible. “Brandon’s participation in class and dedication to making us better nurses for our future patients with diabetes is very admirable,” one nominator shared.
In his speech, Kreger will reflect on shared challenges, acknowledge the importance of leaning on classmates, and recognize key faculty. “Nursing school was a difficult time but we made it through,” Kreger said. “We are all going to be amazing nurses!”
With warmth, authenticity, and a genuine love for the profession, Kreger stands ready to celebrate his class and to honor the community that helped shape their journey.
About the Graduation Speaker Role
The graduation speaker is a student selected annually from each program to deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony. This honor is given to students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the nursing profession, possess strong communication skills, and have the ability to inspire and motivate their peers.
Carolyn Nguyen, TBSN
Badger Future Nurse Leader Award
Carolyn Nguyen exemplifies leadership through her commitment to advocacy and her focus on building connection, belonging, and confidence in others. Through her experience as a mentor, peer navigator, and community volunteer, Nguyen has built a reputation for lifting others up and helping them feel supported and seen in spaces that can feel overwhelming. One nominator shared, “When I was still a pre-nursing student, Carolyn was my mentor. She was always so encouraging throughout my journey and constantly helped instill confidence in me.” Even now, that student says Nguyen continues to offer “a safe space to calm down and regroup.”
Nguyen’s leadership extends across the UW–Madison community where she has been actively involved in a range of organizations. As a long-term Lead Peer Navigator with the Center for Educational Opportunity, she supported first-generation and underrepresented students through academic challenges, campus transitions, and self-doubt. One nominator highlighted Nguyen’s ability, as a first-generation student herself, to make others feel they belong: “She leads with empathy, follows through with action, and makes people feel capable of more than they thought they were.”
When Nguyen was selected to present at the National Conference on Race & Ethnicity, the experience strengthened her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices. Her session on the experiences of BIPOC individuals with diverse abilities created space for attendees to share personal stories—some through tears. For Nguyen, those moments reflected the impact she hoped to have: helping people feel safe, heard, and validated.
Her commitment to service is equally evident. Nguyen has volunteered with Babies and Beyond, MLK Day of Service, Second Harvest Food Pantry, and has participated in a global health clinical experience in Malawi. Nguyen’s experiences have shaped her vision for the future, with career aspirations in pediatrics, oncology, and mental health, guided by her passions for advocacy, culturally responsive care, and health equity. Nguyen’s story is one of steady, people-centered leadership rooted in empathy, strengthened through adversity, and shared generously with those around her.
About the Badger Future Nurse Leader Award
The Badger Future Nurse Leader Award recognizes a student who is an exemplary leader and embodies the ethics and values of nursing. Nominees must demonstrate leadership; prepare, motivate, and impact other students as leaders; participate in community activities and giving back to others; mentor fellow students; promote activity in nursing organizations; make a significant contribution to the overall excellence of their school; set a healthy example and promote a healthy lifestyle; and demonstrate a clear sense of direction for their future nursing career.
Kirsten Olson, ABSN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
From the earliest days of the ABSN program, Kirsten Olson has demonstrated a depth of compassion and resilience that has moved her peers, instructors, and patients alike. Olson’s path through the ABSN program at UW–Madison has been shaped by extraordinary challenges, yet also by extraordinary strength.
Olson’s mother passed away just one month into the ABSN program, less than six weeks after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer. Between trips home to California and moments of overwhelming grief, Olson chose to continue her studies, walking into her clinical placement two days after her mother’s passing, grounded by her commitment to care for others. As she worked with older adults during her skilled nursing rotation, she heard stories of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, reminding her of all the moments her own mother would never experience. Despite this heartbreak, she approached every patient and family member with intention, presence, and compassion.
Her clinical experiences have deepened her calling. Her own grief fresh in mind, Olson has the ability to connect with patients experiencing profound bereavement. One patient, a veteran, confided that he had a broken heart after losing his wife of over sixty years. By sitting with him, listening, and empathizing, Olson was able to provide emotional support and comfort. Olson says, “I now know that providing comfort by intertwining the strength of professional skill with the peace of sincere compassion can greatly soften suffering during unimaginable times.”
Olson’s journey is one of courage, empathy, and unwavering purpose. Her ability to transform personal loss into healing for others makes her a deeply deserving recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students.
About the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students was created to remind nursing students, even on their hardest days in nursing school, why they want to be nurses. It recognizes nursing students for the above-and-beyond care and compassion they show patients and their families as they are learning what it means to be a nurse. Nominees demonstrate commitment to compassionate care of patients and families, make a connection with patients, families, and peers by building trust and respect, advocate strongly for patients, and demonstrate exceptional skill.
Isabel Prohaska, TBSN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
Isabel Prohaska embodies the compassion, advocacy, and presence that define extraordinary nursing. One of her nominators wrote, “Isabel has been the single most caring and motivated student I have ever met… It is the type of care that all of us aspire to give to our patients, that she demonstrates every day.” Another added, “I am inspired by Isabel’s strong advocacy for her patients… Isabel already embodies the kind of nurse who changes lives through empathy, courage, and unwavering commitment to her patients.”
Prohaska’s dedication is rooted in her work as a doula for Harambee Village, a collective of community-based doulas, educated and supported by Black voices. Supporting more than forty families through labor and birth, she has provided care marked by trust and fierce advocacy, often being the first call when contractions begin and sometimes providing the only support a birthing person has. Her experiences extend globally; during clinical work in Malawi, she comforted families through both celebration and profound loss, showing the strength of presence in its most human form.
Her passion for labor and delivery nursing began in childhood, shaped by her parents’ traumatic experience with the preterm birth of her and her twin sister, and her mom’s development of eclampsia. “My parents’ eyes still get misty when telling our birth story,” says Prohaska. “During her labor, they felt uninformed, scared, and untrusting of their medical team. I knew I wanted to support other families through uncertainty.” This story still guides her. As Prohaska explains, “Doula care has taught me the core lesson of nursing: presence. Showing up for the intensity of labor, guiding families through medical decisions, and remaining beside them during loss, fully present until they feel seen, supported, and empowered.”
Whether translating complex medical information, supporting teen parents, navigating moments of crisis, or teaching peers about childbirth, Prohaska leads with empathy and clinical excellence. Her dream of becoming a nurse‑midwife has been years in the making and every step she has taken affirms that she is already the kind of nurse who changes lives.
About the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students was created to remind nursing students, even on their hardest days in nursing school, why they want to be nurses. It recognizes nursing students for the above-and-beyond care and compassion they show patients and their families as they are learning what it means to be a nurse. Nominees demonstrate commitment to compassionate care of patients and families, make a connection with patients, families, and peers by building trust and respect, advocate strongly for patients, and demonstrate exceptional skill.
Grace Weber, BSN@Home
BSN@Home Graduation Speaker
Grace Weber has always known that she wanted to be a nurse. “It truly feels like my calling,” she said. Growing up, her mother’s nursing career inspired her, her ability to care for others, and the wide range of opportunities in the profession.
But like many meaningful journeys, Weber’s wasn’t linear. At eighteen she began college at UW–Madison, unsure of her direction. After navigating several twists and turns, including a move to Milwaukee, she found herself enrolling in nursing classes at a local technical college where she found clarity and fully embraced her calling.
In 2020, Weber left her job as a waitress to enter the healthcare field as a certified nursing assistant at Froedtert Hospital where she discovered the fulfillment of patient care. She worked weekends while attending Milwaukee Area Techical College for her Associate’s Degree in Nursing, graduating with honors in 2022. Weber then become a nurse extern in the same unit where she now practices as a registered nurse, returning to the floor with increased confidence in her role.
Completing her bachelor’s degree has long been a personal milestone, and representing the RN-to-BSN (BSN@Home) program as Graduation Speaker fills her with pride. For Weber, this moment is a celebration of perseverance, growth, and the community that supported her along the way.
She carries her late sister, Katherine, in her heart through it all. “She believed in me long before I believed in myself,” Weber says. “I carry her with me in everything I do.”
About the Graduation Speaker Role
The graduation speaker is a student selected annually from each program to deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony. This honor is given to students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the nursing profession, possess strong communication skills, and have the ability to inspire and motivate their peers.
Julia Zellmer, ABSN
School of Nursing Flag Bearer: BSN
Julia Zellmer’s energetic, compassionate presence brings people together and lifts the spirits of everyone around her. Throughout the ABSN program, Zellmer became known for her curiosity, willingness to speak up, and commitment to creating a supportive learning environment. As one nominator shared, she “leads with integrity, compassion, and courage, consistently uplifting those around her through both her words and actions.”
Her eighteen nominators (the most of any academic award recipient) repeatedly emphasized her energy and inclusivity, noting that she is “an experienced, outspoken advocate for her patients” and “is known and loved by us all.” Many highlighted her leadership in the classroom and her advocacy for classmates. Others pointed to her warmth and humor, sharing that “Julia’s school spirit is unmatched.”
Zellmer’s dedication extends beyond personality. She is known as a hardworking, skilled nursing student who balances academics, clinical work, and her role as a certified nursing assistant with grace and determination. Classmates praised her as “a constant source of inspiration and positive motivation.” Her involvement as the ABSN student representative on the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee further demonstrated her dedication to ensuring student voices are heard.
“Being selected as the School of Nursing Flag Bearer is super meaningful to me because it recognizes both my journey and everyone who helped me through,” Zellmer said. She added with characteristic enthusiasm, “Also, I love flags!” Her peers agree—Zellmer embodies the unity, spirit, and vibrant energy of the ABSN community.
About the Flag Bearer Position
The School of Nursing Flag Bearer demonstrates academic dedication, leadership, and community involvement and embodies the values and spirit of the University of Wisconsin and the School of Nursing. The recipient carries the School of Nursing’s flag during Campus Commencement at Camp Randall and receives a certificate of recognition at the BSN Graduation Celebration event.
Graduate Award Recipients
Caitlin Conway, PHD
PhD Graduation Speaker
Caitlin Conway is a steadfast advocate, mentor, and voice for graduate students across the School of Nursing. As one nominator shared, “Caitlin is a thoughtful and articulate speaker and will represent the graduate students well at this important event.”
Conway has served the School of Nursing in far‑reaching ways: participating in faculty candidate interviews, serving on committees, and contributing to the Dean search and screen process. Her presence in these roles reflects both her commitment to strengthening the student experience and her dedication to the future of nursing scholarship.
Her vision for the graduation address centers on honoring the collective resilience of her cohort. “Earning a PhD requires persistence in the face of uncertainty, delays, and repeated revision,” she said. “As nurses, that persistence is…an expression of our conviction that patients and communities deserve better answers, and that nursing as a discipline has the compassion and conviction to generate them.”
Conway reflects on the challenges her peers have navigated, including advising changes, immigration concerns, and personal loss. “The PhD asks us to be vulnerable: to put our ideas forward, to be evaluated, to revise, and to persist.” She also highlights the profound rewards of this path: recognition of impactful research, the joy of contributing new knowledge, and “meaningful moments of teaching and mentoring that expand nursing’s impact into future generations.”
Conway’s commitment to rigor, compassion, and service makes her an inspiring representative of the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing graduating class, and a fitting voice to honor their journey to graduation.
About the Graduation Speaker Role
The graduation speaker is a student selected annually from each program to deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony. This honor is given to students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the nursing profession, possess strong communication skills, and have the ability to inspire and motivate their peers.
Julie Franzen, PhD
School of Nursing Flag Bearer: Doctoral
Julie Franzen is a grounded, principled public health nurse whose work is rooted in community connection and social justice. Throughout her doctoral studies, Franzen brought a clear-eyed understanding of how health is shaped long before someone enters a clinic. As one nominator shared, she is “on the ground, doing the difficult, essential work required to bridge gaps in care and improve social determinants of health.” Her peers describe her as a leader guided by dignity, compassion, and a steadfast moral compass—someone whose impact will resonate in her community for years to come.
Franzen’s academic and practicum experiences reflect that commitment. She worked with community partners on initiatives addressing health disparities and supported populations facing significant barriers to care, including individuals receiving HIV services, people impacted by substance use within the Department of Corrections, and residents of rural communities. Her approach is consistently relationship‑based and centers trust, respect, and the lived experiences of those she serves.
Her advocacy extends beyond local work, and she has demonstrated a commitment to equity and structural change. Franzen represented UW–Madison at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing policy summit, where she championed issues such as student loan assistance, grants for nursing instructors, and tax credits for preceptor pay. She
has also shared the possibilities of nursing with diverse audiences, presenting to undergraduate students and participating in career fairs with the Boys & Girls Club and Madison-area schools, highlighting the many possible pathways into the
nursing profession.
Franzen’s leadership, integrity, and community‑centered vision make her a powerful ambassador to represent doctoral nursing graduates at Campus Commencement.
About the Flag Bearer Position
The School of Nursing Flag Bearer demonstrates academic dedication, leadership, and community involvement and embodies the values and spirit of the University of Wisconsin and the School of Nursing. The recipient carries the School of Nursing’s flag during Campus Commencement at the Kohl Center and receives a certificate of recognition at the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony.
Rachel Hawn, PhD
Mary L. Keller Research Award
Rachel Hawn has demonstrated an exceptional combination of drive, curiosity, and commitment to advancing nursing science. Her faculty advisor, Dr. Kris Kwekkeboom, has worked with Hawn since she entered the PhD program in 2021. Dr. Kwekkeboom noted, “Ms. Hawn demonstrates the passion, integrity, and productivity to merit this award.”
Hawn’s research centers on improving health outcomes for survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancers, a population that often faces persistent symptoms and long-term health challenges. Upon arriving at UW–Madison shortly after completing her BSN, she quickly identified a gap in the literature: physical activity interventions for AYA cancer survivors rarely addressed the symptoms that make activity difficult. Her early systematic review confirmed that “few interventions were effective in improving physical activity engagement, and none included symptom self-management as a potential behavioral change technique.”
This insight became the foundation of her dissertation, a large prospective study examining how symptom burden, individual symptoms, and psychosocial factors influence physical activity engagement among more than 200 AYA cancer survivors. Reaching this hard‑to‑locate population required persistence and creativity. Dr. Kwekkeboom highlighted that Hawn “engaged in multiple strategies… with local oncologists, state cancer organizations, and national AYA cancer
support groups.”
Hawn’s work has already resulted in multiple publications, competitive grant funding, and a rich dataset that will guide the development of future interventions. Looking ahead, she envisions a career defined by collaboration, innovation, and impact. As she explains, “I hope to use research to serve the community and improve the well-being of individuals affected by cancer.” Her trajectory makes clear that she is well on her way.
About the Mary L. Keller Research Award
The Mary L. Keller Memorial Research Award is named after Professor Mary Keller, who taught at the School of Nursing for nearly two decades. She is remembered as an outstanding scholar and mentor to students. In memory of Professor Keller, who died of cancer in 2006, an award was established to recognize a student who embodies Professor Keller’s passion and integrity.
Eric Ido-Bruce, DNP
DNP Graduation Speaker
Throughout the DNP program, Eric Ido‑Bruce has stood out as a steady, thoughtful, and inspiring presence. His peers speak of him with incredible gratitude and admiration. One nominator shared, “Eric is the kind of leader every cohort hopes for… he has been our Samwise, steady when things felt overwhelming, grounded when the climb got steep, and always reminding us why we started in the first place.” Another added, “Eric embodies the very qualities our profession strives to cultivate: dedication, integrity, compassion, and visionary leadership.”
Ido‑Bruce’s commitment to nursing is multidimensional. His peers note his passion for planetary health, his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, and his ability to “communicate with clarity and heart.” They emphasize his rare combination of humility and confidence and marvel at his ability to break down complex systems‑level issues while offering steadfast encouragement during long nights of research, revisions, and moments of doubt. As one nominator put it, “Eric did not just complete this journey. He helped carry this cohort through it.”
Beyond his leadership, Ido‑Bruce is recognized as an exceptional, warm, and authentic communicator who is deeply grounded in purpose. “I wish to demonstrate how our education at the UW—Madison School of Nursing has prepared us for the challenges we are going to face,” Ido-Bruce says. “The world we live in right now is one that is strained and divided, and we see the consequences of that show up in our health systems, communities, and patient lives…This is not a passive time for nursing, it’s a defining one.” He describes his intended message simply and powerfully. “The theme of my speech is straightforward and simple: This is our moment, let’s meet it.”
Ido‑Bruce brings kindness and hope into every space he enters. His commitment to advocacy, equity, and meaningful change makes him an exceptional representative of the graduating Doctor of Nursing Practice class.
About the Graduation Speaker Role
The graduation speaker is a student selected annually from each program to deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony. This honor is given to students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the nursing profession, possess strong communication skills, and have the ability to inspire and motivate their peers.
Micayla Meyers Madell, DNP
Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award
Micayla Meyers Madell brings together two powerful strengths, clinical insight and a gift for storytelling, to elevate the voices of patients who are too often overlooked. She is a thoughtful, persistent writer whose work demonstrates intellectual rigor and deep compassion. Her case report, published in the Journal of Pediatric Healthcare, is impactful for the under-researched pediatric population with autism spectrum disorder. The publication stands as a meaningful contribution to a field where evidence is limited and clinical guidance is urgently needed.
For Micayla, the project was far more than an academic exercise. “I was moved by the case and felt a driving force to do this write-up for a patient who falls within an under-researched patient population,” she said. “This patient was also nonverbal and medically complex. It felt important to give a voice to this patient and try to disseminate findings from his case to a larger audience.” She completed the manuscript outside of course requirements, dedicating her summer to revisions, correspondence with the journal, and the meticulous work of preparing a publishable piece.
Micayla credits her clinical and faculty instructors for encouraging her to take on the challenge, noting that their support “gave me the courage to go out of my comfort zone and make it happen.” The resulting publication reflects not only her skill as a writer but her commitment to advocacy, equity, and patient-centered care.
“I am deeply grateful to receive the Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award. Nursing and writing together reflect the core of who I am as both a scholar and a person,” Micayla said. Her work exemplifies the power of writing to advance understanding—and to honor the patients whose stories deserve to be told.
About The Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award
The Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award encourages students to write for publication. All currently enrolled UW–Madison School of Nursing students who are the primary author of a paper or manuscript may submit it for this award. The paper or manuscript must be on a topic of interest to nursing, and it must be ready for submission or have been submitted to a nursing or health-related journal.
Ashley Smith, DNP
School of Nursing DNP Excellence Award
Ashley Smith’s work reflects a deep commitment to community health, equity, and the future of the nursing profession. Her journey has been shaped by a clear sense of purpose and by mentors who recognized her potential early on. “Receiving this award reflects the communities I serve and the people who believed in me before I fully believed in myself,” she said.
Throughout her doctoral training, Smith immersed herself in work that bridges public health, nursing education, and systems‑level leadership. Her academic focus on social determinants of health as a clinical pathway shaped her approach to both scholarship and practice. She described being “pushed to slow down, question assumptions, and look beyond individual patient encounters to the structures that shape health and access to care,” a shift that guided her leadership in national advocacy, curriculum development, and community‑based work.
Smith wove service throughout her DNP experience, and her impact extended far beyond the classroom. She engaged in environmental health policy advocacy in Washington, DC; held leadership roles with the American Public Health Association, Wisconsin Public Health Association, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing; and served as the Global Nursing Lead for the Planetary Health Report Card. Her work with Indigenous villages in Belize further deepened her understanding of how structural barriers influence care.
Balancing academics, leadership, and motherhood, Smith learned to align her responsibilities with intention and clarity. “Completing the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” she said. “Not because of a title or recognition, but because of who I have become in the process.” Her story reflects a nurse committed to shaping healthier communities and a stronger, more equitable future for the profession.
About the School of Nursing DNP Excellence Award
This award honors students who demonstrate success in all areas of emphasis in the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) curriculum, including clinical scholarship, leadership, policy development, and advanced clinical practice. Students who win this award have also contributed meaningfully to the School of Nursing or our community through voluntary service activities that go beyond those required by the DNP program.
Educator Awards
Cindy Dionysius, MSN, RN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Undergraduate Nursing Faculty
Cindy Dionysius is celebrated by her students as an instructor who embodies the very best of nursing—compassion, clarity, patience, and an unwavering commitment to helping future nurses grow with confidence. Her students describe her as the kind of educator who changes the trajectory of a nursing education, not through grand gestures, but through consistent, intentional acts of support. As one nominator shared, she “genuinely cares about her students and their growth,” creating a learning environment where they feel “comfortable and confident.”
Across skills labs and clinical rotations, Dionysius is known for her thoughtful teaching style. “Every lesson, every post-clinical debrief and action she did always felt so intentional for the betterment of our education and future as nurses,” wrote one student. Another noted that she “consistently demonstrated kindness, respect, and strong leadership,” developing a clinical environment where students could ask questions openly and grow strong clinical skills while strengthening their ability to provide humanistic care.
Students emphasized her patience and willingness to go above and beyond, slowing down when needed, advocating for diverse clinical experiences, and offering time to ensure concepts truly clicked. Many described her as a role model whose empathy and resilience shaped not only their clinical abilities but their understanding of what it means to be a nurse.
Reflecting on the recognition, Dionysius shared, “I am truly grateful for this honor, which reflects the incredible dedication and compassion of the students I am so fortunate to teach. To be recognized by the future nurses I mentor is the most rewarding part of my career, and it inspires me to continue fostering a supportive environment where they can grow into excellent, patient-centered providers.”
About the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Undergraduate Nursing Faculty
The DAISY Foundation recognizes that the pressures on nursing faculty are numerous, yet their impact is powerful. Many students talk about hearing a professor’s or instructor’s voice in their ears even years after they have graduated. These dedicated nursing faculty members often do not receive appropriate recognition for the effect they have on their students, on patient care, and on the professionalism of nursing. The DAISY Faculty Award was created to recognize and celebrate the contributions faculty make to the future of nursing.
Sarah Dobbins, DNP, RN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting: Graduate
Sarah Dobbins is admired by students for her expertise, compassion, and visionary leadership in public health nursing. As one of the only public health DNP practitioners in the Madison area, Dobbins has become an essential mentor for students seeking practicum experiences that stretch their thinking and expand their sense of what nursing leadership can be. One nominator shared that she “has gone above and beyond to support students in the DNP program at UW–Madison,” offering practicum opportunities that are both rigorous
and meaningful.
As a preceptor, Dobbins encourages students to take initiative while providing the guidance needed to grow with confidence. She mentored four students in a single academic year, including two for their full DNP projects, and supported work that spans nurse wellbeing, home visiting program enrollment, and evaluation of a new
nurse navigation program. As one nominator wrote, “With Sarah’s support, these projects will impact the health of
our community.”
Dobbins’ own reflections illuminate why her mentorship resonates so deeply. “One of my favorite aspects of my role as a DNP in local public health is the opportunity to partner with the UW–Madison School of Nursing and precept students,” she shares. Dobbins strives to create learning environments that balance support with autonomy, where students feel challenged, encouraged, and empowered to develop their professional voice. Empathy, respect, and equity-focused leadership guide her approach as she tailors mentorship to each student’s strengths and growth areas.
She is especially proud of supporting projects with systems-level impact, initiatives that help students see how their work can influence programs, policies, and community health outcomes. As she reflects on this recognition, Dobbins adds, “I am deeply honored to receive the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators… Teaching and mentoring future nurse leaders is one of the most meaningful parts of my work.”
About the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting
Exceptionally skilled and compassionate nursing educators play a pivotal role in shaping the nursing workforce and setting an example for future nurses. Society relies on these educators to impart the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for nurses to provide compassionate and complex care. In health care organizations, preceptors ensure that students are competent and confident in their skills, playing a crucial part in ensuring that the public receives care from educated, competent, and proficient nurses. With gratitude for the continuum of educators in practice settings, The DAISY Foundation and the UW-Madison School of Nursing are honored to present The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting to preceptors who have committed themselves to educating the future of nursing and advancing patient care.
Katie Gillespie, DNP, RN, CPH, FAAN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Graduate Nursing Faculty
Katie Gillespie is known among doctoral students as a mentor whose influence reaches far beyond the classroom. Her teaching is described as steady, intentional, and deeply human. Students note that Gillespie invests in the whole person—nurse, scholar, leader, parent—and that her guidance has shaped not only their academic success but their lives.
One nominator shared that Gillespie, in moments when school, work, and life collided, offered clarity rather than pressure. She helped this student slow down, assess her capacity, and make decisions rooted in integrity. That mentorship, the student wrote, “fundamentally changed how I understand leadership.”
Gillespie’s impact is equally profound in the learning environment. Students describe her as fair and respectful with a thoroughly collaborative approach to teaching. As an educator who creates space for transparency, struggle, and questions, her feedback is “honest and thoughtful, grounded in growth rather than judgment,” and her presence models the kind of ethical, sustainable leadership that nursing education urgently needs. Gillespie is a steady source of encouragement, and her coursework opens doors to new passions, including public health and social justice, and her advocacy helps students uncover their own potential.
Across nominations, one theme is unmistakable: Gillespie’s mentorship changes trajectories. She inspires students to think bigger, lead with integrity, and believe in themselves. As one student wrote, “Katie Gillespie has not just supported my academic success. She has shaped my life.”
About the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Graduate Nursing Faculty
The DAISY Foundation recognizes that the pressures on nursing faculty are numerous, yet their impact is powerful. Many students talk about hearing a professor’s or instructor’s voice in their ears even years after they have graduated. These dedicated nursing faculty members often do not receive appropriate recognition for the effect they have on their students, on patient care, and on the professionalism of nursing. The DAISY Faculty Award was created to recognize and celebrate the contributions faculty make to the future of nursing.
Leah Schultz, RN-BC
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting
Leah Schultz is the kind of preceptor whose influence stays with students long after their clinical rotation ends. As a charge nurse on the Inpatient Psychiatric unit at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Schultz is known for her steady presence, deep compassion, and remarkable ability to make patients feel safe while guiding them toward healing. One nominator described her as “an absolutely phenomenal clinical preceptor,” noting her skill in asking the right questions, building trust, and managing expectations with both firmness and empathy.
Her leadership extends beyond patient care. As charge nurse, Schultz “leads the unit with grace,” coordinating seamlessly with the interdisciplinary team, outside hospitals, and community mental health organizations. Students emphasize how thoroughly she knows her patients and how closely she collaborates with her team to ensure safe, thoughtful discharge planning. Her preceptees leave with a rich understanding of psychiatric nursing, legal considerations in mental health care, crisis collaboration, and the importance of strong therapeutic relationships. “I feel exceptionally prepared to support patients emotionally because of Leah’s guidance. Her kind leadership and feedback were invaluable,” one of her preceptees wrote. “Leah is one of the most deserving nurses I have ever met for consideration for a DAISY award.”
Schultz’s own journey into precepting is rooted in gratitude. She recalls her first days as a new nurse, overwhelmed and unsure, until a preceptor welcomed her “with warmth, calm, and a completely nonjudgmental presence.” That experience shaped her philosophy: “As a board-certified psychiatric nurse, passing on my knowledge feels especially important. Mental health affects every patient we care for, regardless of the department. I strive to teach students the importance of rapport building, empathy, active listening, communication, and de-escalation—skills that build confidence and strengthen patient care in any setting.” For Schultz, watching students grow in their confidence and abilities to empathetically connect with patients is the reward. She adds, “If I have a student participating in the inpatient psychiatric karaoke group, I know I’ve done my job right.”
About the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting
Exceptionally skilled and compassionate nursing educators play a pivotal role in shaping the nursing workforce and setting an example for future nurses. Society relies on these educators to impart the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for nurses to provide compassionate and complex care. In health care organizations, preceptors ensure that students are competent and confident in their skills, playing a crucial part in ensuring that the public receives care from educated, competent, and proficient nurses. With gratitude for the continuum of educators in practice settings, The DAISY Foundation and the UW–Madison School of Nursing are honored to present The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting to preceptors who have committed themselves to educating the future of nursing and advancing patient care.