Awards & Recognition
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Individual Awards
Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CMLSO, CNOR, FAORN, FAAN
Award for Excellence
Consultant with 45+ years advancing laser safety, smoke reduction, and OR best practices. Past AORN National President and national board leader; educator and advocate for safer patient and staff environments.
Beverly A. Kirchner, MSN, RN, CNOR, CNAMB
Barba Edwards Innovation Award
ASC pioneer with 40+ years building 55+ centers in 14 states. TriasMD VP of Compliance and SurgeryDirect founder. Influential author, educator, and mentor advancing safety, quality, and nurse leadership.
Darin M. Prescott, DNP, MBA, RN, CNOR
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives of the Year Award
IHS diabetes program deputy director and perioperative/ED RN. Lower Sioux Indian Community member and researcher honored by AORN and statewide groups for leadership, service, and advancing clinical practice.
Madelaine Catcho, BSN, RN
Edith D. Hall Rising Star Award
Emerging perioperative nurse and trauma center preceptor. Led a Sharps Injury Reduction Project and is known for compassionate care, collaboration, and supporting peers through active council leadership.
JohnRich Levine, DNP, DPA, DBA(c), MSN, MHA, MPA, BSN, BSChE, AB, APRN, CNE, CNOR, CSSM, CCRN, NEA-BC, NPDA-BC, ACHE
Nurse Executive Award
CNO guiding perioperative and hospital‑wide services across rural and academic settings. Leads safety, team development, and governance initiatives; frequent speaker and contributor recognized for training, innovation, and workforce impact.
William "Bill" J. Duffy, RN, MJ, CNOR, FAAN
Outstanding Achievement in Mentorship - AORN Leadership
Independent consultant and past AORN National President who led Time Out Day. Widely published speaker honored for leadership and service; continues advocacy through education and media engagement to strengthen nursing mentorship.
Constance Yeager, MSN, RN, RN-BC, NE-BC, CNOR
Outstanding Achievement in Mentorship - Perioperative
Level V perioperative nurse and chapter president who built an OR Mentorship Program fostering belonging, confidence, and retention. Champions psychological safety and is pursuing a DNP in leadership.
Imelda Wright, PhD, RN, CNOR(E), FAORN
Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Education: Academic
Researcher focused on perioperative practice and OR safety. Develops risk‑reduction frameworks and informs policy on safety culture, engagement, and healthy workplaces to strengthen clinical environments.
Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR
Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Education: Clinical
Perioperative educator and supervisor with 25 years of experience. Periop 101 instructor, AORN leader, and founder of Periop Anew. Built standardized orientation and residency programs that elevate competency, safety, and teamwork.
Susan Garruto, MSHA, MSN, BSN, APRN, RNFA, CNOR
Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Nursing Clinical Practice
Neurosurgical NP and first assistant who advances clinical excellence. Educates teams on equipment, procedures, and patient care; mentors future surgeons in technique and communication. Collaborates across disciplines to ensure safe, optimized outcomes.
Ray-an Talatala, DNP, RN, CNOR, NPD-BC, FNAP, FAORN
Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Nursing Evidence - Based Practice
NPD specialist and research leader driving initiatives on retained items, specimen safety, burns, and pressure injuries. Chairs EBP councils, publishes widely, & helped earn Center of Excellence designation; recognized as an emerging leader & AORN Fellow.
Rachel Meyer, MSN, RN, CNOR-CARD, NE-BC
Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Nursing Management
Director overseeing cardiovascular perioperative and procedural services. Leads teams across CVOR, cath and EP labs, and recovery. AORN chapter president committed to education, mentorship, and improved outcomes.
Carole "Gert" Mayes, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, CNOR
Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Nursing Research Practice
Educator and researcher on perioperative nurse turnover. Published foundational grounded theory in AORN Journal, presents internationally, and applies findings to guide leadership principles and team resilience.
Nathalie Walker, MBA, BS, RN, CNOR
Outstanding Volunteer Leadership
Longtime AORN leader and past AORN National President who funded scholarships and advanced chapter and Foundation initiatives. Advocate for smoke elimination and equity; state appointee and dedicated community volunteer.
AORN Journal Writers Contest
Article: “Using Continuous Intraoperative Pressure Mapping to Describe Patterns of Tissue Interface Pressure.”
Authors: Sadeeka Al-Majid; Barbara Vuncanon; Melody Kiyohara;
and Cyril Rakovski
Article: “Care of the Patient Undergoing Robotic-Assisted Brain Biopsy With Stereotactic Navigation: An Overview.”
Authors: Beth Karasin; Tara Hardinge; Lauren Eskuchen; and Johanna Watkinson
Article: “Surgical Conscience: A Concept Analysis for Perioperative Nurses.”
Author: Danielle Quintana
Chapter Excellence Awards
AORN of North Central West Virginia
AORN of Fort Wayne
AORN of Baltimore
AORN of Fort Wayne
AORN of Greater Houston
AORN of East Metro from Minnesota
