The University of Delaware School of Nursing made a strong showing at the 9th annual Excellence in Nursing celebration recognizing the state’s top nurses. 

The virtual celebration, held on May 19, honored 12 UD nursing faculty members and several SON alumni among the more than 200 outstanding healthcare professionals who were selected. 

In addition, nursing faculty Jennifer Graber and Susan Conaty-Buck were named as the top nurse in their respective categories. Graber, associate professor and associate dean of Academic Affairs and Practice Initiatives, was selected as the top academic educator in nursing. Conaty-Buck, assistant professor, was selected as the top nurse advancing and leading the profession. 

Other recognized faculty include:

• Amy Hagstrom, nursing professor and director of Global Initiatives for CHS

• Diane Rudolphi, director of clinical education

• Beatrice Gaynor, assistant professor

• Elizabeth Speakman, senior associate dean of Nursing

• Judith Herrman, emerita professor

• Jennifer Saylor, associate professor and associate dean for faculty and student affairs

• Susan Sheehy, professor 

• Jessica Madiraca, associate instructor

• Megan (Margaret) Roth, instructor 

• Christine Smith, case manager, care coordinator, Nurse Managed Primary Care Center

• Crystal Forbes, adjunct med surg clinical instructor

 The event was sponsored by Delaware Today and 302Health, in partnership with the Delaware Nurses Association, which conducted a survey asking nurses across the state who they considered best in specific areas of practice. Winners are featured in Delaware Today’s May 2021 issue.