Each May, the most outstanding nurses throughout Delaware are selected and brought together in tribute to their shared impact on local communities. Hosted by Delaware Today and 302Health at the White Clay Creek Country Club, the Excellence in Nursing ceremony is Delaware’s premier event for nurses to be recognized for their unique impact on communities and the overall nursing profession.

To be selected for recognition, nurses can choose their peers across a variety of nursing categories through a survey led by the Delaware Nurses Association. The top voted nurses are then invited to join the ceremony with their distinguished peers. The ceremony consists of dinner, entertainment, and recognition for each of the honorees based on their unique categories. This year, four winners and ten honorable mentions were selected from the College of Health Sciences School of Nursing faculty and staff.

Elizabeth Speakman, School of Nursing senior associate dean and professor, was selected for 2026’s Top Nurse award for Advancing & Leading the Profession. Speakman has been a nurse for more than 40 years and a nurse educator for more than 35 years with over 150 presentations spanning across her career. She’s authored two books, Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice: Creating Blueprint for Nurse Educators and Body Fluids and Electrolytes: A Programmed Presentation and her research across dozens of studies have been centered around enhancing the nursing field for students, patients, and professionals.

“Being selected as a 2026 Delaware Top Nurse Awards recipient in the category of Advancing and Leading the Profession is both a personal and professional honor,” stated Speakman. “Throughout my career transition from clinician to faculty member to administrator, I have remained committed to advancing the nursing profession by creating academic pathways that enable every nurse—regardless of degree—to grow professionally and personally through opportunities for career advancement and expanded professional roles.”

“To me, leading the profession means having the courage to take risks while also recognizing when even our best ideas must evolve,” Speakman reflected. “It means empowering others to pursue opportunities that broaden their knowledge, strengthen their confidence, and expand their capabilities. Leadership in nursing is not about individual accomplishment alone; it is about building a village, fostering collaboration, supporting growth, and creating environments where others are inspired to thrive and lead.”

Sandra Nolan, assistant professor, received the Top Nurse award for Home Health & Hospice. Her research specifically focuses on compassion, fatigue, well-being, and self-care among nurses and nursing students. As a hospice nurse, this research is central to everyday practice as emotional presence and holistic care are key to serving patient needs.

“As both a hospice nurse and nurse educator, I have the privilege of supporting individuals and families during some of the most vulnerable moments of life, while also preparing future nurses for the realities of healthcare practice,” said Nolan. “My clinical experience in hospice allows me to connect deeply with students and help them understand the importance of compassion, reflection, self-care, and creating meaningful human connections in nursing. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to healthier nurses, stronger healthcare teams, and improved patient care outcomes through empathy, reflection, and wellness-centered approaches.”

“Being recognized as a Delaware Top Nurse in Hospice and Home Care is truly an honor, and I feel both humbled and deeply grateful,” continued Nolan. “Nurses often work quietly behind the scenes, advocating for patients, supporting families, educating communities, and mentoring future generations of healthcare professionals. This recognition shines a light on those contributions and celebrates the dedication, resilience, and compassion that nurses bring to healthcare every day.”

Pia Inguito, assistant professor, was recognized for the Academic Educator award. With 32 years of experience as an academic educator, and 26 years at the School of Nursing, her clinical expertise spans across both military and civilian sectors in trauma, cardiothoracic and orthopedic surgery. She taught clinical at ChristianaCare on the trauma step-down unit for 15 years and currently teaches lab and simulation courses for freshman, sophomore, and junior students.

“My main role is to educate and mentor the aspiring future nurses,” said Inguito. “It has been a rewarding career to be a role model and have a positive impact on the growth of the UD nursing students. Many of my former students are now successful clinicians, researchers, and/or educators. I was honored to receive the Top Nurse award while celebrating the excellence and wonderful work of my colleagues.”

Jennifer Graber, associate dean of academic affairs and practice initiatives, both received the Top Nurse award for Telehealth & Virtual Nursing as well as an honorable mention for Psychiatric Health Nursing. Graber’s work investigates mental health and well-being across healthcare and academic settings, with a particular emphasis on supporting nurses, students, and faculty through evidence-based, patient- and provider-centered approaches. As a nurse educator, she works to translate evidence into practice, improving care outcomes while also fostering resilience and sustainable work environments within the nursing workforce.

“The impact of my work is seen in strengthening mental health care delivery, reducing barriers to support, and promoting more compassionate, holistic approaches to care,” Graber said. “Ultimately, it helps improve patient outcomes while also supporting provider well-being and resilience.”

“Being recognized as a Top Nurse is incredibly meaningful, particularly in the mental health space where I work, advocacy and compassion are so critical,” continues Graber. “I’m grateful to contribute to a field that is increasingly prioritizing mental health, and I feel privileged to work alongside colleagues who are dedicated to caring for the whole person.”

Beyond the four Top Nurse winners, the following ten faculty and staff members were also nominated for honorable mentions:

·        Jennifer Korskov, Advance Practice Registered Nurse

·        Jennifer Saylor, Academic Educator as well as Nursing & Professional Development

·        Lauren Covington, Academic Educator as well as Research & Science

·        Susan Conaty-Buck, Informatics & Technology

·        Xiaopeng Ji, Informatics & Technology

·        Heiddy DiGregorio, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

·        Megan Roth, Inpatient/Acute Care Nursing

·        Caren Coffy-McCormick, Psychiatric Health Nursing

·        Christine Hanna, Instructor, Psychiatric Health Nursing

·        Ju Young Shin, Research & Science

“The University of Delaware School of Nursing was exceptionally well represented among both the award recipients and honorees, a testament to the enduring excellence and transformative impact of the education, scholarship, clinical practice, and service that define our school,” reflected Speakman. “What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it is based on peer nomination and evaluation. To be acknowledged by fellow clinicians and educators across Delaware is a powerful affirmation of the outstanding work our faculty and staff contribute every day.”

“There is no greater professional honor than to be recognized by one's peers,” Speakman continued. “I am incredibly proud to work alongside such an exceptional community of faculty and staff and to witness firsthand the passion, dedication, and excellence they bring to their work each day. Their unwavering commitment continues to elevate the School of Nursing, the University of Delaware, and the nursing profession as a whole.”