---
title: "Annual Awards"
description: "The Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) is a professional nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting optimal and equitable trauma care through education, research, and collaboration. Explore the Journal of Trauma Nursing, specialized courses, and networking opportunities to advance trauma care."
url: "https://www.traumanurses.org/about/annual-awards"
date: "2026-06-15T03:15:45+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

#  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 due by October 20, 2025.** [ Submit Online.](#clinical)

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:**

- **2026:** Kayla Whiteaker, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, NE-BC
- **2025:** Justin Mis, MSN, RN, CCRN, TCRN, TNS
- **2024:** Sue Taylor, MSN, RN, CCRN
- **2023:** Pamela Woods, RN, ACNS-BC, CEN, TCRN; Tracy McDonald, MSN, RN, CCRN-K,. TCRN, NEA-BC; Kathleen Martin, MSN, RN; Sarah Mattocks, MSN, RN, TCRN, NE-BE; Jorie Klein, MSN, MHA, BSN, RN; Mario Rivera–Barbosa, MD
- **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

 [ SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/SocietyOfTraumaNurses/ClinicalExcellenceAward)

---

## STN Leadership Award

**Nominations due by October 20, 2025.** [ Submit Online.](#leadership)

**Please 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:**

- **2026:** Knut Magne Kolstadbraaten, MSN, RN, CRNA, MHA
- **2025:** Laura Criddle, PhD, RN, TCRN, FAEN, FANN
- **2024:** Connie Johnson, RN
- **2023:** Terri Elsbernd, MS, RN; Linda Roney, EdD, RN-BC, CPEN, CNE
- **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

 [ SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/SocietyOfTraumaNurses/LeadershipAward)

---

## STN Distinguished Lectureship Award

**Nominations due by October 20, 2025.** [ Submit Online.](#distinguished)

**Please 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:**

- **2026:** Cristiane de Alencar Domingues, PhD, MSN, MBA, BSN, RN
- **2025:** Heidi Hotz, RN
- **2024:** Dr. Andrew Bernard, MD, FACS
- **2023:** Patricia Manion, BSN, MS, RN, TCRN
- **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

 [ SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/SocietyOfTraumaNurses/DistinguishedLectureshipAward)

---

## STN Trauma Partnership Award

**Nominations due by October 20, 2025.** [ Submit Online.](#trauma)

**Please 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
- TraumaCon travel to include airfare and two nights lodging

**The following are not eligible for nomination:**

- STN Board of Directors Members
- STN Nominating Committee Members
- Previous Trauma Partnership Award Winner

**Past recipients:**

- **2026:** 'Operating Together', Adam Lee Goldstein, MD
- **2025:** Paula Ferrada MD, FACS, FCCM, MAMSE
- **2024:** Lacey N. Lagrone, MD, MPH, MA

 [ SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/SocietyOfTraumaNurses/TraumaPartnershipAward)

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    "description": "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 due by October 20, 2025. Submit Online. 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: 2026: Kayla Whiteaker, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, NE-BC 2025: Justin Mis, MSN, RN, CCRN, TCRN, TNS 2024: Sue Taylor, MSN, RN, CCRN 2023: Pamela Woods, RN, ACNS-BC, CEN, TCRN; Tracy McDonald, MSN, RN, CCRN-K,. TCRN, NEA-BC; Kathleen Martin, MSN, RN; Sarah Mattocks, MSN, RN, TCRN, NE-BE; Jorie Klein, MSN, MHA, BSN, RN; Mario Rivera–Barbosa, MD 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 SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION STN Leadership Award Nominations due by October 20, 2025. Submit Online. Please 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: 2026: Knut Magne Kolstadbraaten, MSN, RN, CRNA, MHA 2025: Laura Criddle, PhD, RN, TCRN, FAEN, FANN 2024: Connie Johnson, RN 2023: Terri Elsbernd, MS, RN; Linda Roney, EdD, RN-BC, CPEN, CNE 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 SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION STN Distinguished Lectureship Award Nominations due by October 20, 2025. Submit Online. Please 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: 2026: Cristiane de Alencar Domingues, PhD, MSN, MBA, BSN, RN 2025: Heidi Hotz, RN 2024: Dr. Andrew Bernard, MD, FACS 2023: Patricia Manion, BSN, MS, RN, TCRN 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 SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION STN Trauma Partnership Award Nominations due by October 20, 2025. Submit Online. Please 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 TraumaCon travel to include airfare and two nights lodging The following are not eligible for nomination: STN Board of Directors Members STN Nominating Committee Members Previous Trauma Partnership Award Winner Past recipients: 2026: 'Operating Together', Adam Lee Goldstein, MD 2025: Paula Ferrada MD, FACS, FCCM, MAMSE 2024: Lacey N. Lagrone, MD, MPH, MA SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION",
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