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Association of California Nurse Leaders Recognizes Outstanding Contributions to Health Care during 40th Annual Conference
[February 22, 2018]

Association of California Nurse Leaders Recognizes Outstanding Contributions to Health Care during 40th Annual Conference


The Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) recognized distinguished members for their contributions to health care at its 40th annual conference held at the Monterey Convention Center earlier this month. The 1,400-member strong organization, which aims to promote industry excellence, innovation and lifelong learning, presented awards to eleven esteemed professionals during the conference.

"This year's award winners are remarkable leaders who are serving our profession with distinction," said ACNL president Mary Wickman, PhD, RN. "We salute these and other innovative nurse leaders who are striving to improve health care throughout our state."

Award recipients included:

Excellence in Leadership - Stephanie Robinson, PhD, RN
Director of Nursing, Fresno City College

A nurse leader at the local and statewide levels for many years, Stephanie is a take-charge person who offers her expertise and assistance, regardless of the challenge. Her experience in hospital leadership and academia provides Stephanie with a unique understanding of the complex issues and opportunities facing both sides in our ever-changing healthcare environment.

Outstanding Emerging Nurse Leader - Jennifer Underhill, MSN, RN
Assistant Nurse Manager, Pediatrics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

An innovative leader, Jennifer approaches each situation with a clear vision and an aility to engage others in achieving desired outcomes. Among her many accomplishments, Jennifer led a pain improvement project as well as a comfort and anxiety reduction program in her department. She guided the renovation of pediatric patient rooms to encourage and facilitate holistic caring, revamped the staffing matrix and a project to improve communication in teams and with parents.



Excellence in Nursing Research - Jennifer Hayakawa, DNP, PCNS-BC, CNRN, CCRN
Nurse Scientist, CHOC Children's Hospital

A passionate advocate for quality patient care, Jennifer leads and empowers others to engage in a culture of inquiry. She is currently a site co-investigator and nurse champion for several NIH-funded pediatric critical care studies at CHOC. Her research interests include critical care, neurosurgery and sedation/pain management in children and adolescents.


In addition, five generous scholarships were awarded, totaling more than $25,000 in financial support for emerging nurse professionals.

For a full list of honorees, visit the ACNL web site.

About Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL)

Founded in 1978 (originally as the California Society of Nursing Service Administrators), ACNL is the largest state affiliate of the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) with approximately 1400 members. ACNL's mission is to develop nurse leaders, promote professional nursing practice, influence health policy, and promote quality health care and patient safety.

As a powerful voice for nurse leaders throughout California, ACNL serves as a statewide and national example of affecting positive change for nursing and health care by developing nurse leaders, advancing the professional practice of nursing and improving the health of California's communities.

For more information about ACNL, please visit the organization's web site.


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