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Happy Nurses Week: Honoring Our 2025 Award Winners

At Galen College of Nursing, Nurses Week is more than a celebration—it’s an opportunity to recognize the incredible educators and clinical partners who shape the next generation of nurses through compassionate instruction, expert care, and a commitment to excellence. We proudly announce the 2025 recipients of three prestigious awards: the Faculty of the Year Award, the Clinical Staff Nurse Award, and our highest individual teaching honor, the Dr. Joan L. Frey Excellence in Teaching Award.

Faculty of the Year Awards: Excellence Across Every Campus

Founded in 2021 by Dr. Audria Denker, Chief Experience Officer, the Faculty of the Year Award recognizes one outstanding faculty member from each Galen College campus and representatives from our Arts & Sciences and online programs. Over 500 students nominated these educators for their compassion, mentorship, and ability to inspire.

The 2025 Faculty of the Year recipients are:

Matt Wilkerson – Arts & Sciences

Gilbert Maya – Asheville

Elizabeth Boyd – Austin

Tracy Brennan – Cincinnati

Katrina Walker – Dallas

Denise Creegan – Gainesville

Brittney Shepherd – Hazard

Chantal Dynes – Houston

Kristin Warren – Louisville

Racquel Cooke – Miami

Nancy Ofendo Reyes – Myrtle Beach

Chelsea Broadwater – Nashville

Hailey Miller – Pikeville

Berkeley Keck – Richmond

Chelsea Sawyers – Roanoke

Jennifer Carter – Salt Lake City

Dolores Gonzalez – San Antonio

Cris Adam – Sarasota

Mariyama James – Tampa Bay

Alex Herman – Wichita

Robert Koch – Online RN to BSN

Tori Brown – Online MSN

Each recipient receives $1,000 in Professional Development Funds, a certificate, and a trophy to celebrate their impact on students and the nursing profession.

Clinical Staff Nurse Awards: Recognizing Excellence in Practice

Another honor we acknowledge during Nurses Week is our Clinical Staff Nurse Award winners—exceptional clinicians who go above and beyond in mentoring Galen students in clinical settings. These individuals demonstrate expert nursing knowledge, model compassionate care, and often support students’ career development far beyond the classroom.

Karlo Andal (left, holding award) at the Cincinnati campus with other Galen staff at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Cincinnati. Andal is just one of the 2025 Clinical Staff Nurse Award recipients.

Congratulations to our 2025 Clinical Staff Nurse Award recipients:

Marielle Gauthier – Asheville – Mission Hospital

Nico Tiedemann – Austin – Cedar Park Regional Medical Center

Karlo Andal – Cincinnati – Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital

Julien Rangel – Dallas – Medical City Arlington

Joey Swinson – Gainesville – HCA Florida North Florida

Michelle Campbell – Hazard – Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center

Roberta Yawu – Houston – Oceans Behavioral Hospital Pasadena

Swanson Campbell – Las Vegas – Sunrise Hospital

Carmellata Gardner – Miami – HCA Florida Northwest

Elizabeth “Blake” Smith – Myrtle Beach – Grand Strand Medical

Zhor Peraza – Nashville – TriStar Centennial Medical

Dee Cook-Bey – Richmond – Chippenham Hospital

Sue Martin – Roanoke – LewisGale Medical Center

Alyse Johnson – Salt Lake City – Ogden Regional

Madeline Walls – San Antonio – Methodist Hospital Metropolitan

Jessica Toomey – Sarasota – HCA Florida Fawcett

Leah Pettas – Tampa Bay – HCA Florida Largo

Emily George – Wichita – Wesley Medical Center

Each winner will be honored with a ceremony at their clinical site and presented with a trophy to recognize and celebrate their commitment to student success.

The Dr. Joan L. Frey Excellence in Teaching Award: A Standout Among Standouts

This year, we are thrilled to recognize Katrina Walker, CMSRN, CNE, of the Dallas campus, as the recipient of the Dr. Joan L. Frey Excellence in Teaching Award, our highest honor for faculty.

Katrina Walker, CMSRN, CNE (center right, between the two posters) of the Dallas campus, is our 2025 recipient of the Dr. Joan L. Frey Excellence in Teaching Award.

With over two decades of nursing experience and a deep commitment to student success, Walker is celebrated for her teach-back methods, availability, and support, even for students not currently enrolled in her courses. She teaches across both BSN and LVN-to-ADN programs, bringing real-world experience and passion into every lesson.

Walker’s nomination highlighted her use of innovative teaching techniques, dedication to compassionate care, and tireless advocacy for her students. Since joining Galen in 2023 as a founding faculty member of the Dallas campus, she has also earned her CNE and is pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

Her contributions perfectly embody the values and mission of Galen College of Nursing, making her a worthy recipient of this distinguished honor.

Join Us in Celebrating Excellence

To all our award winners: thank you for making a difference in the lives of our nursing students. Your influence extends beyond the classroom and clinical setting, shaping the future of healthcare by empowering our students with the knowledge, empathy, and confidence they need to succeed. Happy Nurses Week!