Celebrating
THE POWER OF US
TNA’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, which took place June 5-7 in Austin, was a true celebration of nursing excellence, innovation, and collaboration. This year’s theme, “The Power of Us: Advancing Our Profession Together,” offered a fitting backdrop to the overall experience.
BY THE NUMBERS
Conference Attendees
TNA members from across the state joined us in Austin for 3 days of innovative presentations and inspiring awards.
Powerful Presentations
Each passionate podium presentation sparked conversations and inspired change.
Engaging Poster Presentations
This year's poster presentations showcased the research, creativity, and leadership of nurses across our state.
CE Hours Awarded to Attendees
Over three days, attendees each earned 11.0 hours of CE credit. The expert education at this year's conference helped hundreds of nurses grow professionally.
Nurse Volunteer Hours
Over 90 hours of nurse volunteers’ time made it all possible, proof that the heart of nursing beats strongest when we come together.
During the 2025 Annual Conference, more than 420 nurses participated in educational sessions highlighting issues and topics centered on the current nursing landscape.
During the pre-conference session, "Leadership in Action: Best Practices for Today’s Challenges," attendees explored essential topics including the impact of healthcare laws and policies on leadership, strategies for leading in diverse settings, and tools to navigate the unique challenges faced by nurse leaders today.
Through poster presentations, nurses shared research results with their peers. Submissions were grouped in the following areas: Clinical Practice; Education; Leadership & Management; Professional Development; and Quality Improvement.
For some, the conference included much-earned acknowledgement. On June 6, the Texas Nurses Foundation hosted the Excellence in Nursing Awards Gala. In its inaugural year, the TNF Excellence in Nursing Awards recognizes excellence in nursing and those who support and advocate for nurses. Winners are as follows.
TNF Excellence in Nursing Awards
Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award - LVN
- Courtney Mosley, LVN. Athena Medical Group, San Antonio, Texas
Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award – RN
- Abigail Alaniz Cases Fuller, DNP, MSN-Ed, RN, CMSRN. University Health and Chamberlain University, San Antonio, Texas
Rising Star in Nursing Award
- Dana Grubbs BSN, RN. Children’s Health, Dallas, Texas
Nursing Faculty Excellence Award
- Jennifer Woo, PhD, CNM/WHNP, FACNM. The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas
"For me, being a nurse for quite a while, (the conference) reinvigorates you, gets you back to why you became a nurse to begin with, why we do what we do."
Nursing TEAM Excellence Award
Institute for Nursing Excellence, Memorial Hermann Health System, Houston, Texas
- Caitlin McVey MBA, RN, CPHQ, CLSSBB – AVP Institute for Nursing Excellence
- Daphne Savva MIB, MBA– AVP Business Development and Research
- Jody Collins DNP, RN, NPD-BC – Director Clinical and Professional Excellence
- Jessica Peterson PhD, RN – Nurse Scientist
- Taj Bhaloo PhD, MHA – Research Scientist
- Beth Cook DNP, RN, CNL, NPD-BC, CHSE, CCRN – Simulation Education Specialist
- Austin Burk MBA – Lead Data Analyst
- Tendeka Smith BSN, RN, RNC-MNN – HEAL Program Manager
- Kemi Banigo MBA – Program Manager
- Heather Mahon – Clinical Operations Coordinator
- Debbie Davis – Administrative Assistant
TPAPN Lighthouse Award
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
TNF Champions of Nursing
- Sara Suzanne Masoud, PhD, MPH, The University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
Attendees heard from a diverse list of keynote speakers offering guidance for nurses on both personal and professional levels. Day One: Julie D. Burch; and Erin O. Crosby, Ed.D. Day Two: Olga Yakusheva, PhD, MSE, FAAN; and Tim Cunningham, DrPH, MSN, RN, FAAN.
The TNA Annual Conference gives nurses a chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones from across the state of Texas.
The event also honored this year’s 25 Outstanding Texas Nurses. The annual award goes to nurses who create a culture of care, support healing, health, and wellness, innovate improvements, and contribute to their communities.
25 Outstanding Texas Nurses
- Faith Bell, MSN, RN, CPN, Children's Medical Center of Dallas
- Paula Christianson-Silva, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, DipACLM, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Allison Crawford, PhD, RN, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing
- Sydney Davis, BSN, RN, CPN, Baylor Scott & White Health
- Doncy Eapen, PhD, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, Cizik School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- Yvonne Egan, BSN, RN, CEN, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Irving
- Lynne Flippen, MSN, RNC-MNN, Texas Health
- Juan Flores, MBA, BSN, CCRN, CEN, University Health
- Monaliza Gaw, DNP, MPA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, CPHQ, Ascension Seton Hays
- Christina Gonzalez, BSN, RN, RNC-OB, Baylor Scott and White Medical Center-Marble Falls
- Rachel Hutton, BSN, RN-BC, NPD-BC, Baylor Scott and White Health
- Marie Mayfield, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNML, South Texas Veterans Health Care System
- Jacqueline Meyer, PhD, MSN, BS, RN, CNE, EBP (CH), University of Texas Medical Branch
- Sara Moore, DNP, APRN, PPCNP-BC, CPNP-AC, NNP, EBP-C, Children’s Health
- George Odhiambo, MSN, RN, CMSRN, University Health
- Iam Palgan, BSN, RN, CMSRN, CCRN, Methodist Healthcare
- Pressanna Parackal, DNP, MSN-Ed, RN, CCRN, CNRN, CRRN, RN-BC, Audie L Murphy, VA/ University Health, UTHSCSA/ Alamo Colleges
- Sandra Pardo, RN, MSN, CPNP-BC, SANE-A, SANE-P, Driscoll Children's Hospital
- Lindsey Patton, PhD, APRN, PCNS-BC, Children’s Health
- Carolyn Phillips, PhD, RN, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
- Rebecca Puchkors, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CA-CP SANE, Baylor University, Louise Herrington School of Nursing
- Christina Smith, DNP, RN, CPN, EBP-C, Children's Health Systems
- Crystal Smith, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, AMB-BC, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
- Azizeh Sowan, PhD, MSN, MSDA, MBA, RN, FAAN, The University of Texas Health at San Antonio
- Scott Ward, BSN, BS, RN, CPPS, LSSMBB, Baylor Scott and White Health-Dallas (Baylor University Medical Center) TN
Congratulations!
Recipients of the inaugural Texas Nurses Foundation Excellence in Nursing Awards join for a photo, capping off an evening of honors.
Mingling at Gala
Meeting new friends and making once-in-a-lifetime connections is what it's about.
A Time for Celebration
TNA honored this year's 25 Outstanding Nurses from all over the state.
Congratulations!
Award winners shared stories and memories doing what they love.
