We are excited to share the recipients of the 2023 Nursing Excellence Awards.
This year’s award recipients are recognized for their expertise, compassion, teamwork, and commitment to our patients, each other, and the communities we serve.
Kathy Devine, DrNP, RN, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive, and Timothy D. Marks, DNP, MBA, RN, Vice President and Associate Chief Nurse Officer, congratulate all our outstanding Cooper nurses and interprofessional team members.
Thank you to the members of the Professional Development and Recognition Council for all your hard work associated with the Nursing Excellence Awards.
The 2023 William A. Schwartz, Jr. Nurse of the Year Award is a special recognition that will be announced at the Nursing Excellence Awards Reception on May 4, 2023.
The Nursing Excellence Awards are supported by generous gifts from donors to The Cooper Foundation. The donor gifts go toward assisting our phenomenal winners with education or further training.
The 2023 Nursing Award Recipients are…
Kendra Blackshear, MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, Intensive Care Unit, is the recipient of The William and Eileen Archer Award for Excellence in Critical Care Nursing.
Dean Bligh, BSN, RN, Clinical Decision Unit, is the recipient of the Lori Osinski Rising Star Award.
Patty Budic, RN, CGRN, Cooper Digestive Health Institute, is the recipient of the Lori Osinski Award for Excellence in Procedural Nursing.
Alyssa Burns, BSN, RN, Cooper Digestive Health Institute, is the recipient of The Women’s Board of Cooper University Health Care Award for Excellence in Ambulatory Nursing.
Regina Callahan, BSN, RN, CPN, Pediatrics, is the recipient of The Dr. Ronald Bernardin Memorial Award for Excellence in Pediatric Nursing.
Kelly Campbell, BSN, RN, Mother Infant Unit, is the recipient of The Charlotte Tobiason Memorial Award for Excellence in Obstetrical Nursing.
Kyle Counsellor, BSN, RN, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, is the recipient of The Franklin Morse Archer, Jr., and Mary Joy Reeve Archer Memorial Award for Excellence in Outpatient Oncology Nursing.
Brittany Leigh Cucunato, BSN, RN, Cardiac Cath Lab, is the recipient of The Cooper Heart Institute and The Heart House Award for Excellence in Cardiovascular Nursing.
Melissa Cunningham, BSN, RN, Pavilion 7, is the recipient of the Barbara and Jack Tarditi Award for Excellence in Nursing Mentorship.
Madison DiGioia-Ruiz, BSN, RN-BC, Kelemen 9, is the recipient of The Selma and Martin Hirsch Award for Excellence in Medical Surgical Nursing.
Lauren Duffy, BSN, RN, Emergency Department, is the recipient of The Lynn Nelson Award for Excellence in Emergency Nursing.
Beth Falkenstein, BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, Emergency Department, is the recipient of The Philip and Carole Norcross Award for Nurse Leadership #1.
Adina Farcas, BSN, RN, TCRN, Trauma Surgical ICU, is the recipient of The Award for Excellence in Trauma Nursing.
Joe Halin, BSN, RN, Kelemen 9, is the recipient of The Carol G. Tracey Compassion Award.
Sue Hoffman, BSN, RN, CCRN, TCRN, NSU, is the recipient of The Philip and Carole Norcross Award for Nurse Leadership #2.
Stacey Hogan, Patient Care Services, is the recipient of The Barbara and Jack Tarditi Award for Excellence in Service (Non-Nursing).
Jamie Jefferson, BSN, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, is the recipient of The John Henry Kronenberger Memorial Award for Excellence in Neonatal Nursing.
Zofia Kapron, BSN, RN, Pavilion 5, is the recipient of The Rose Smith and Sue Zamitis Memorial Award for Excellence in Inpatient Oncology Nursing.
Vivek Kulkarni, MD, MHS, EdM, FACC, Cardiology, is the recipient of The Nursing Alumni Excellence Award for Nursing-Physician Partnership.
Chitra Lalwani, BSN, RN, Trauma Surgical Intensive Care Unit, is the recipient of The Shaina Horton Memorial Award for Excellence in Service.
Patrick Matlack, MSN, RN, CNL, Clinical Education, is the recipient of The Barbara and Jack Tarditi Award for Excellence in Nursing Research.
Laura McMaster, MSN, APN-C, ACNP, CCRN, TCRN, Trauma APN, is the recipient of The Moorestown Auxiliary Award for Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing.
Erin Radomicki, BSN, RN, CNOR, Operating Room, is the recipient of The Philip and Carole Norcross Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing.
Yolanda Smith, Pavilion 9, is the recipient of The Women’s Board of Cooper Hospital Allied Health Professional Excellence Award (Non-Nursing).
Kelly Van, BSN, RN, Kelemen 10, is the recipient of The Ruth Parry/Moorestown Auxiliary Award for Excellence in Geriatric Nursing.
Professional Development and Recognition Council, Professional Nursing Council, is the recipient of The Lori Osinski Award for Excellence in Self Care and Wellness.
Kelemen 10 is the recipient of the Outstanding Team Award.