Annual Awards

Annual Awards

On an annual basis, the Society provides a mechanism within the membership of The Society of Trauma Nurses to recognize outstanding leaders who have contributed to the field of trauma. Recognition Awards that are awarded annually include:

STN Clinical Excellence Award

Nominations are now being accepted for 2024; click here. Due August 31, 2023.

The purpose of the Clinical Excellence Award is to recognize an outstanding STN member whose contributions to trauma nursing fulfill the mission, vision, and core values of STN.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Supportive of STN’s mission and vision
  • STN Member
  • Registered Nurse
  • Advanced Certification from an Accredited Board such as BCEN or AACN
  • Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in trauma nursing
  • Demonstrate outstanding clinical qualities by:
    • Consistently exhibiting compassion and commitment to advancing trauma nursing
    • Routinely goes above and beyond, demonstrating excellence in their role
    • Functions as an integral and contributing member of the health care team
    • Participates in practice standard development and/or decision making processes within their organization that influence positive outcomes for the trauma patient (i.e. Committee membership, development of guideline)
    • Demonstrates breadth of knowledge in clinical nursing practice
    • Participates in mentorship, advocacy, community affairs, public education or volunteers for organizations that affect nursing practice
    • Inspires peers in their practice by demonstrating excellence in nursing practice
The Award winner will receive:
  • Complimentary TraumaCon registration
  • TraumaCon travel to include airfare and two nights lodging
  • Award recognition at TraumaCon
The following are not eligible for nomination:
  • STN Board of Directors Members
  • STN Nominating Committee Members
  • Previous Clinical Excellence Award Winner
To nominate a nurse, submit a letter of nomination with supporting data to address the award criteria. Include a copy of the nominee’s CV. Additional letters of support which describe the nominees contributions are encouraged.

Past recipients:
  • 2022: Deborah Hurst, RN, TCRN
  • 2020: Adrienne Fields, RN, MSN, ACNP-BC, AGACCNS-BC, CEN, TCRN
  • 2019: Nancy K. Etzel, MSN, RN
  • 2017: Jonathan Messing, MSN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, TCRN



STN Leadership Award

Nominations now being accepted for 2024; click here. Due August 31, 2023.
Note: Nominations can only be submitted by an STN member.

The purpose of the Leadership Award is to acknowledge an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in trauma through practice, research, publication, education, patient advocacy, injury prevention, trauma system development or legislative involvement at a local, state or national level.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Supportive of STN’s mission and vision
  • Serve in a medical or non-medical field
  • Nominated by STN Member
The Award winner will receive:
  • Complimentary TraumaCon registration
  • TraumaCon travel to include airfare and two nights lodging
  • Award recognition at TraumaCon
The following are not eligible for nomination:
  • STN Board of Directors Members
  • STN Nominating Committee Members
  • Previous Leadership Award Winner
Past Recipients:
  • 2022: Jesse Gibson, MBA, BSN, RN, TCRN
  • 2020: Debra Kitchens, MBA, BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, NRP
  • 2019: Patricia Manion, MS, RN
  • 2018: Brenda Benson, RN, CEN, TCRN
  • 2017: Pamela Bourg, PhD, RN, TCRN, FAEN
  • 2016: Melissa Harte, MS, RN
  • 2015: Kathleen Martin, MSN, RN
  • 2014: Liz Scanlan-Trump
  • 2013: Lieutenant General Patricia D Horoho, Major General, US Army Surgeon General
  • 2012: Kathryn T Von Rueden, MS, RN, ACNS-BC, FCCM
  • 2011: Karen McQuillan, RN, MS, CCRN, CNRN
  • 2010: Mary Beachley, MS, RN
  • 2009: Heidi Hotz, RN



Distinguished Lectureship Award

Nominations now being accepted for 2024. Due August 31, 2023.
Note: Nominations can only be accepted from representatives of the STN Board of Directors and the STN Conference Committee.

The purpose of the Distinguished Lectureship Award is to provide the STN members with a superb oration during the annual conference including content that:
  • Demonstrates expertise in subject matter
  • Is motivational
  • Is educational
Eligibility Criteria:
  • Supportive of the STN’s mission and vision
  • Recognized by colleagues as industry leader
  • Demonstrate impactful contribution to trauma
  • Expert in field: In depth/firsthand understanding, knowledge and experience in an area(s) related to trauma
  • Excellent public speaking ability
The Award winner will receive:
  • Honor of lectureship during annual TraumaCon
  • Award presentation after lecture
  • Complimentary TraumaCon registration
  • TraumaCon travel to include airfare and two nights lodging
The following are not eligible for nomination:
  • STN Board of Directors Members
  • Any Distinguished Lectureship, Clinical Excellence or Leadership Award winner within the last three years
Past Recipients:
  • 2022: Alice Gervasini, PhD, RN
  • 2020: Babak Sarani, MD, FACS, FCCM
  • 2019: Ronald M. Stewart, MD
  • 2018: Betsy Seislove, MSN, RN
  • 2017: Amy Koestner, MSN, RN
  • 2016: Daniel L. Gross, DNSc, RN



Trauma Partnership Award

Nominations now being accepted for 2024. Due August 31, 2023.
Note: Nominations can only be submitted by an STN member.

The purpose of the Trauma Partnership Award is to recognize an outstanding person or team (clinical or non-clinical), collaborating in trauma care and contributing to fulfilling STN’s mission and vision through areas such as education, mentorship, advocacy, injury prevention and trauma system development.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Supportive of STN’s mission and vision
  • Nomination must be made by a STN Member
  • Medical or non-medical field such as but not limited to: EMS/Pre-hospital, Advanced Practitioners, Physicians, Registrars, Educators, Injury Prevention, Social Workers and Administrators
The Award winner will receive:
  • Complimentary TraumaCon registration (one)
  • Award recognition at TraumaCon
The following are not eligible for nomination:
  • STN Board of Directors Members
  • STN Nominating Committee Members
  • Previous Trauma Partnership Award Winner


Journal of Trauma Nursing Awards

Past recipients:
2018
Literary Excellence Award: Research Article
Linda J. Scheetz, EdD, RN, FAEN
Complications and Mortality Among Correctly Triaged and Undertriaged Severely Injured Older Adults with Traumatic Brain Injuries
Journal of Trauma Nursing: November/December 2018 - Volume 25 - Issue 6 - p 341–347

Literary Excellence Award: Specialty Article
Jaclyn Iacona, MSN, BS, RN & Stephanie Johnson, MSN, RN
Neurobiology of Trauma and Mindfulness for Children
Journal of Trauma Nursing: May/June 2018 - Volume 25 - Issue 3 - p 187–191

Literary Excellence Award: Critical Care Article
Renee Cortez, DNP, ARNP, ACNP-BC, MSN, CCRN, BSN
Geriatric Trauma Protocol
Journal of Trauma Nursing: July/August 2018 - Volume 25 - Issue 4 - p 218–227

Literary Excellence Award: Most Accessed Online Article
Mary Francis, PhD, RN
A Narrative Inquiry Into the Experience of Being a Victim of Gun Violence
Journal of Trauma Nursing: November/December 2018 - 25(6):381-388

2017
Literary Excellence Award: Research Article
Darcy Copeland, RN, PhD; Melissa Henry, RN, PhD
Workplace Violence and Perceptions of Safety Among Emergency Department Staff Members: Experiences, Expectations, Tolerance, Reporting, and Recommendations
Journal of Trauma Nursing: March/April 2017 - Volume 24 - Issue 2 - p 65–77

Literary Excellence Award: Specialty Article
Angie Garrett, MSN, RN, CPHQ; Stacy A. Drake, PhD, MPH, RN, AFN-BC, D-ABMDI; John B. Holcomb, MD
Effects of a Systematic Quality Improvement Process to Decrease Complications in Trauma Patients with Prehospital Peripheral Intravenous Access
Journal of Trauma Nursing: July/August 2017 - Volume 24 - Issue 4 - p 236–241

Literary Excellence Award: Critical Care Article
Coleen Dever, MSN, AGCNS-BC, CEN, TCRN
Treating Acute Pain in the Opiate-Dependent Patient
Journal of Trauma Nursing: September/October 2017 - Volume 24 - Issue 5 - p 292–299

Literary Excellence Award: Most Accessed Online Article
Denise Sullivan, MSN, ANP, BC, RN-BC; Mary Lyons, MSN, APN, RN-BC, ONC; Robert Montgomery, DNP, RN-BC, ACNS-BC; Ann Quinlan-Colwell, PhD, RNC, AHN-BC
Exploring Opioid-Sparing Multimodal Analgesia Options in Trauma: A Nursing Perspective
Journal of Trauma Nursing: November/December 2016 - Volume 23 - Issue 6 - p 361–375


Annual Conference Abstract Awards

STN provides "Best in Class" recognition for three abstract categories during its Annual Conference in the spring. Abstract parameters and submission guidelines are published on the website in the early fall each year, with winners selected in the following categories:

Sharing Our Best Abstracts in trauma nursing can represent a wide variety of best practices used by trauma nurses to solve a difficult, unique or interesting problems related to trauma care across the continuum from EMS to rehabilitation. The project must have been implemented and the outcomes evaluated.

Research Abstract - Oral and poster presentations may focus on any aspect of trauma nursing research and should reflect original research results.

Past recipients:
2019
Oral Abstract Winner: Evidence Based Practice
Kristen Chreiman, MSN
"Examining the Role of IRR in Trauma Performance Improvement as a New Best Practice"

Oral Abstract Winner: Research
Beth Broering, MSN, RN, CEN, CCRN, TCRN, CCNS, CAISS, FAEN
"The Implementation of a Clinical Psychologist Embedded in a Level I Trauma Center"

2017
Oral Abstract Winner: Evidence Based Practice
Ashley Metcalf, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN

Oral Abstract Winner: Research
Rita Hunsucker, DNP



STN Service Award

Past Recipients:
  • 2019: Roy Ball, MSN, RN
  • 2019: Janet Howard, MSN, RN
  • 2019: Carol R. Immermann, RN
  • 2019: Kathryn Schroeter, PhD, RN, CNE, CNOR



Previous Award Recipients

In 2006, STN reviewed its awards program and restructured it in order to focus the scope of the program into two key annual awards as noted above. The following award recipient list from 2001-2006 contains some honors that are no longer bestowed by the Society.

STN 2001-2006 Award Recipient List

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