CELEBRATING NURSES AND MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH PROVIDERS

Applekamp, Laurie
[email protected] | (405) 415-1262 [email protected] Applekamp, Laurie

Arkansas Nurse of the Year Awards

DATE: Thursday, November 20, 2025  |  TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: Embassy Suites Little Rock
ADDRESS: 11301 Financial Centre Pkwy, Little Rock, AR 72211
 

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Event description

The chefs, volunteers and guests who make up our Signature Chefs Events community are coming together in new, innovative ways to suport moms and babies this year.

We are following state mandated guidelines in response to COVID-19 and will not have an in-person event this year. So, we are preparing an exciting, new Virtual Gala for your 2020 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction experience!

We need your help now more than ever. Your support funds:

  • COVID-19 interventions and support for moms and babies
  • Programs that promote health equity for moms and babies and directly combat racial disparities in maternal and child health
  • Free virtual NICU support program for families
  • Virtual prenatal programs for moms-to-be
  • Educational programs, including live Facebook panel discussions, to get info into the hands of moms and families
  • Necessary supplies for expectant mothers including blood pressure cuffs and masks and so much more!

Support the mission

Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, and 1 million will die before their first birthday. Your gift helps the March of Dimes fund research, education, advocacy and programs that help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.

Make a Contribution

Become a sponsor

Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, and 1 million will die before their first birthday. Your gift helps the March of Dimes fund research, education, advocacy and programs that help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.

Local Contact Person, Region
[email protected] | Phone # Contact Us

EVENT LEADERSHIP

Thanks to the leadership of our volunteer chairs and committee members, we are honored to present Nurse of the Year events. After months of hard work, these volunteers have taken the event to new heights, honoring more nurses than ever before. The March of Dimes and the families we support are grateful for the generosity and effort of the team that made this event possible.


Meet Brandi Stewart, MBA, BSN, RN – 2025 Arkansas Nurse of the Year Chair
Brandi Stewart serves as the Chief Nursing Officer for Baptist Health hospitals in Fort Smith and Van Buren, as well as the Baptist Health River Valley clinics. With over 25 years of nursing experience, Brandi brings a wealth of leadership, vision, and heart to this year’s Nurse of the Year celebration.

An Oklahoma native, Brandi most recently served as Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital, where she led transformational initiatives focused on improving patient experience, quality outcomes, and communication across care teams. Her passion for collaborative, patient-centered care is evident in everything she does.

Brandi holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bacone College and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration from American Sentinel University. Known for her exceptional ability to lead in both nonprofit and for-profit settings, she is also deeply committed to faith-based healthcare and advancing the mission of hospitals and caregivers alike.

She previously served as Chair of the record-breaking Oklahoma Nurse of the Year event and brings that same dedication and enthusiasm to Arkansas this year.

Outside of work, Brandi enjoys camping, hiking, and making memories with her husband, three adult children, and three grandchildren.

We’re honored to have her leading the charge as we celebrate Arkansas nurses and the difference they make every day.

Leadership Committee:
Mary Carter - WellPath
Amber Dale - Arkansas State University-Beebe Searcy
Michelle Davis - Unity Health
Leonie DeClark - Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association
Michelle Diedreich - Baptist Heath Little Rock
Kelley Hamby - Baptist Health
Paula Julian - University of Arkansas Fort Smith
Misty Kendrick - Director of Nursing
Karen Labonte - Unity Health
Laura Largent
Emily McGee - St. Bernards
Sharon Nguyen - University of Arkansas Fort Smith
Trenda Ray - Baptist Health Conway
Jennifer Sandage - White River Health
Stephanie Whitaker - Mercy Fort Smith
 

2025 NURSE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Hundreds of applications across the defined categories ranging from Advanced Practice to Women's Health are reviewed and scored by high-ranking nurse leaders. Through this competitive process, finalists within each category are then determined. The March of Dimes is proud to announce and honor the 2025 Nurse of the Year finalists.

2025 Nurse of the Year Awards Finalists

Advanced Practice
T. Ellen Mallard, Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Nycole Oliver, Baptist Health Fort Smith
Richelle Wortham, Arcare

Charge Nurse/House Supervisor
Clir Caspillo, Baptist Health Fort Smith
Sabrina Inman, Unity Health
Karina Stacy, Mercy Fort Smith

Critical Care
Kristen Portale, CHI St. Vincent
Shannon Smith, Baptist Health Fort Smith
Diane Stephenson, Baptist Health Fort Smith

Education
Patricia Conard, University of Arkansas Fort Smith
Tammy Rogers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith
Nicole Ward, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Emergency 
Cody Newton, Baptist Health Fort Smith
Lakyn Webb, Veteran’s Health Administration
McKennah West, Arkansas Children’s Hospital

General Medical/Surgical
Billy Cater, Mercy Research
Desiree Collins, Stone County Medical Center
Raygen Owens, Baptist Health Fort Smith

Infection Control, Occupational Health, Quality & Risk Management
Jessie Bechdolt, Unity Health
Susan Molsbee, Baptist Health Medical Center
Catherine Organ, Baptist Health Fort Smith

LPN
Kelly Montgomery, Arcare
Joyce Priddy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Lindsey Wingfield, Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Neonatal/Pediatric/Women’s Health
Terri Hocutt, Mercy Fort Smith
Catherine Prowse, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Erin Reed, Arkansas Children’s Northwest
Joni Yarnell, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Nursing Executive
Emily Jestes, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Amy Leigh Overton-McCoy, UAMS RIOA - Centers on Aging
renda Ray, Baptist Health Conway

Nursing Management & Administrator
Lee Ann Danner, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Donna Givens, Baptist Health Little Rock
Cynamon Johnson, Baptist Health Hot Springs County

Public Health, Ambulatory Care, & Other Nursing Specialties
Cassidy Angerman, Arkansas Children’s Care Network
Brittany Fullerton, Arcare
Amelia Hernandez, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Rising Star
Tori Brown, Arcare
Bailey Tolleson, Baptist Health Medical Center
Lynne Tynon, Baptist Health Fort Smith

Surgical Services
Katelyn Burks, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Amanda Bryant, Unity Health Newport

2025 NURSE OF THE YEAR
AWARD CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

Registered and Licensed Practical nurses in Arkansas that are in good standing with the AR State Board of Nursing are eligible. 
Nominee must exemplify an extraordinary level of caring and compassion in the delivery of patient care services. Nominee is perceived as a leader among peers and affects positive change in the profession, workplace and community. 
 

ADVANCED PRACTICE

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetists, and Nurse Psychotherapist.

 

CHARGE NURSE/HOUSE SUPERVISOR

Includes nurses in all clinical areas who function in the Charge, Lead or Shift role (Does not include Relief Charge).  A registered, competent, professional nurse who supervises, directs, and supports the nursing staff on all shifts. Has strong clinical and problem solving skills and acts as administrative representative of the hospital in the absence when the administrative team is not on site.

 

CRITICAL CARE

Includes adult ICU/CCU, IMC, Cath lab and special procedures, PTCA Interventional Radiology, Cardiology, with intermediate care units.

 

EDUCATION

Includes University / Junior College, Hospital, Community (schools etc.) and Research.

 

EMERGENCY

ER, flight, ambulance, pre-hospital, telephone triage, and Peds ER.

 

GENERAL MEDICAL/SURGICAL

Medical, surgical, orthopedics, neurological, renal respiratory, cardiovascular, nursing dependent upon specialty for either category.

 

INFECTION CONTROL, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, QUALITY & RISK MANAGEMENT

Nursing in IC/EH and Occupational Health Settings, Performance Improvement, Quality Management, Risk Management, Informatics, Patient Advocate, Patient Safety in Community and/or Hospital.  

 

LPN’S   

LPN's serving in roles to assist the registered nurses and doctors in a patient setting. 

 

NURSING EXECUTIVE

Includes Consultants, CNE’s, CNO’s, VP’s, System Service Line Directors. 

 

NURSING MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATOR

Clinical Director/Nursing Manager/Unite Manager of 2 or less departments/Unit Supervisor.  Administrative Directors, Clinical Directors of 3 or more units, Single Hospital Service Line Directors.

 

NEONATAL/PEDIATRIC/WOMEN’S HEALTH

Nursery, general pediatric units, pediatric clinics, PICU, NICU, Antepartum, Intrapartum, Maternal/Baby Care, Postpartum, and Gynecology.  

 

PUBLIC HEALTH, AMBULATORY CARE & OTHER NURSING SPECIALTIES

Public health, clinic, office and other ambulatory care settings and/or school, government agencies, Indian health facilities, reservations, Parish, prison nursing and/or transplant coordinator, nursing caring for patients in Behavioral Health, Hospice, Home Health, Long Term Acute, Rehabilitation, etc. 

 

RISING STAR

Nurse within the first 2 years of practice who exemplifies outstanding caring, leadership, and professionalism.

 

SURGICAL SERVICES

Perioperative, Preoperative, PACU, Day Surgery, and/or Endoscopy.

 

NOMINATE

BECOME A SPONSOR

The March of Dimes in Arkansas is celebrating the inagural celebration of nursing excellence in the most meaningful way, through partnerships with hospitals, health care facilities, organizations, vendors and individuals.

Sponsorship activation opportunities are available at a variety of levels for our Arkansas Nurse of the Year, and this is a great way to provide integration and civic engagement while paying tribute to nurses. Partnerships can be customized for this special event based on your company's marketing needs and objectives. Sponsorship opportunities

Let's connect!  For more information on how to become involved or activate your brand with the Arkansas Nurse of the Year campaign, contact Laurie Applekamp, Executive Director, (405) 415-1262 or [email protected]. 

View our updated event acknowledgements and waivers here.