POCN Announces 2023 America’s Top Nurse Practitioners in Celebration of National NP Week
POCN’s annual America’s Top NP Awards recognizes the contributions Nurse Practitioners have on improving clinician education and patient quality care
BOONTON, N.J. – November 13, 2023 – According to the AAPA, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) provide an extremely high level of patient satisfaction and can lower health care costs. Yet, despite their effectiveness in providing high-quality care, NPs still do not receive the same level of recognition and opportunities as do their physician counterparts. POCN, the largest nurse practitioner (NP) and Physician Associate (PA) network in the United States, honors those making an exceptional impact in healthcare, clinical education and in advocacy for the NP profession.
In honor of National NP Week, POCN announces the winners of its 2023 America’s Top NP Awards. This 7th annual peer-nominated award recognizes NPs who go above and beyond in specific areas, including advancement in patient treatment, peer support and leadership within the PA/NP community.
The winners were nominated by others from the NP/PA community for their significant contributions to healthcare and their profession. The 2023 recipients highlight a cross section of the best of the profession, providers who provide peer education, and past or present leaders of medical societies.
POCN and the NP community at large are thrilled to honor this year’s recipients:
- Chime Ajiere APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC – Family and Psychiatric Mental Health
- Corrie Berk, DNP, MBA – Hepatology
- Ashley Blackmon, MS, CHFN, CCRN, FNP-C – Cardiology
- Mayra Cantazaro, DNP, APRN, FNP- BC, BC- ADM, CDCES – Endocrinology
- Alvin Mena Cantero, DNP, FNP-C, MSN, APRN – Family Practice, Allergy and Immunology
- Beth Faiman PhD, MSN, APN-BC, AOCN®, BMTCN®, FAAN, FAPO – Hematology and Medical Oncology
- Nicole Gingerella, MSN, CPNP-PC – Pediatric Hospice
- Angela Golden, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, FOMA – Obesity Treatment
- Melissa Smith Hayes, DNP, ANP-BC, CHFN – Heart Failure
- Zohra Hussaini, MSN, FNP-BC, MBA – Pain Management
- Shawana S. Moore, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, PNAP, FAAN – Women’s and Gender-Related Health
- Susan Scanland, MSN, CRNP, GNP-BC, CDP – Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Mimi Secor, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN – Advanced Practice Professional Education
- Victoria Sherry, DNP, ANP-BC, AOCNP -Thoracic Oncology
- Ashley Whitlatch, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-C -Nursing Operations & Urgent Care
- Wendy L. Wright, DNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP – Primary Care
- Melodie S. Young, MSN, APRN, A/GNP-BC – Dermatology
“A key aspect of any professional community must center around recognition for those making the biggest impact. Nurse Practitioners are healthcare heroes that deserve to be recognized for their tremendous contributions to health education and quality patient care” says Richard Zwickel, Founder and CEO of POCN. “I am pleased to see the NP community supporting their peers by nominating these dedicated health professionals for this distinguished recognition.”
Winners of 2023 America’s Top NP Awards will receive:
- $150 toward the professional membership of their choice
- Recognition and press exposure in healthcare media, including on POCN social media and web properties (such as videos on POCN+ and POCN.com)
- Ability to serve as an advisor to POCN and POCN partners, helping to advance educational programs in support of the NP community
“It’s an honor and privilege to be recognized on this distinguished list of nurse practitioners,” said ATNP winner Nicole Gingerella, MSN, CPNP-PC, a pediatric hospice nurse at New York-based MJHS Health System. “I am part of an incredible interdisciplinary team of medical professionals that cares for terminally ill children while also supporting and guiding their families. With this award, POCN is bringing wonderful recognition to the impact NPs have in so many fields, including the unique and meaningful pediatric hospice specialty.”
POCN’s mission is to bring NPs and PAs together to network, share ideas, and create a strong foundation of providers. To learn more about POCN and its programs, visit: https://www.pocn.com.
About POCN
POCN, the largest network of NPs and PAs, is a trusted source for over 400,000 PAs/NPs who have opted-in to be informed about opportunities to network with peers, support and shape PA/NP education, learn the latest healthcare news, find earning opportunities including their next jobs, and access resources to improve patient outcomes. Traditionally, the physician community has received the majority of funding and resourcing, resulting in an underappreciation of the PA/NP community. POCN recognizes the need to advocate, support, and educate PAs and NPs. The organization does this through data and support services. For more information, visit www.pocn.com.
