Vanderbilt School of Nursing honored its 2025 Alumni Award winners for their talent, intellect and dedication in the world of nursing during its Reunion weekend, Nov. 5-8.
Award recipients were nominated by fellow alumni, students, faculty and other friends of the school, and selected by the school’s alumni board. Those recognized were:
Linda D. Norman Award for Innovation in Health Care
Hannah Dodson, DNP, MSN’13, FNP-C, received the Linda D. Norman Award for Innovation in Health Care. As the founder of Leadline Wellness, she has integrated holistic health with traditional clinical expertise to address critical health care challenges. Her approach includes equine-assisted therapeutic support, a unique intervention that enhances mental and emotional well-being, and fosters self-awareness, resilience and stress management.
“Hannah embodies the spirit of a nurse-innovator through her entrepreneurial vision,” wrote her nominator. “By establishing Leadline Wellness, she has created an accessible, personalized wellness framework that empowers individuals to take control of their health. Her expertise in Alpha- Gal Syndrome has positioned her as a leader in supporting patients with complex, under-recognized conditions, demonstrating her ability to develop targeted health care solutions.”
Thomas L. Christenbery Award for Connectedness
Nalo Hamilton, PhD, MSN’05, WHNP/ANP-BC, was awarded the Thomas L. Christenbery Award for Connectedness for her work in mitigating health disparities within the African American community. Her work has developed and implemented strategies to enhance connectedness and address critical physical, social and community barriers. She is currently the Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence at the University of California in Los Angeles School of Nursing.
“Dr. Hamilton masterfully integrates numerous nursing roles to achieve both personal and professional aspirations,” wrote her nominator. “Her career illustrates how her expertise in research, practice and education has been leveraged to significantly improve the health outcomes of women across various settings. Furthermore, her collaborative endeavors with colleagues across disciplines continue to make a profound national and international impact in the field of women’s health.”
Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing
Dana Johnson, MSN, BSN’84, received the Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing. An educational specialist at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, she has spent the majority of her career in leadership, quality and education. Her work spans a wide range of responsibilities, and she is responsible for ensuring staff have appropriate clinical competencies and follow these within their discharge planning for the safety of all patients.
“Dana is so well respected and is asked to accomplish so many activities within our department, whether it is with new staff or our leadership team,” read her nomination. “She is appreciated for her attention to detail and tenacity, while demonstrating her professionalism in all aspects of her work.”
Colleen Conway-Welch Award for National Leadership
Jennifer Kiggans, MSN’12, was awarded the Colleen Conway-Welch Award for National Leadership for her public service. Kiggans serves in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Virginia’s second congressional district. A former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, she previously served in the Viriginia State Senate. She is currently the only advanced practice registered nurse in Congress and its only gerontological nurse practitioner. She has introduced and supported legislation that aims to mitigate the national nursing shortage. In January of this year, she introduced the PRECEPT Nurses Act, a bipartisan bill aiming to incentivize nurses to become clinical preceptors by offering a $2,000 tax credit. This aims to increase the number of preceptors, allowing more nursing students to complete their clinical training and enter the workforce.
“Congresswoman Kiggans has been a champion for the nursing profession,” said her nominating letter. “Her leadership and advocacy have not gone unnoticed by the nursing profession and national geriatric health care groups and organizations. She has quickly become recognized as an important ally.”
Lulu Wolf Hassenplug Award for Distinguished Career in Nursing
Diane Lauver, PhD, BSN’75, FAAN, received the Lulu Wolf Hassenplug Award for a Distinguished Career in Nursing. A nurse practitioner in primary care, she is passionate about applying nursing science to concepts and primary preventative interventions related to health behaviors. Her work has contributed to nursing knowledge about how nurses can facilitate patient understanding and actions that promote health. Now professor emerita at University of Wisconsin-Madison, she is currently studying patient-centered interventions and learning about how nurses can facilitate individuals in reaching their health goals and improving their health.
“Diane’s impact on nursing knowledge continues to guide nurse-patient collaborations for healthy outcomes,” her nomination letter read. “Her passion for promoting and furthering the life-changing impact of patient-centered care, incorporating cultural competence and understanding health at the individual, community and global levels is firmly grounded in the Vanderbilt educational heritage.”
Friend of Nursing Award
Shawn Reilly, M.Ed., MDiv, was awarded the Friend of Nursing Award. They are an integral part of N6091, LGBTQI Care in Interprofessional Practice, introducing new content and topics to explore. Their lectures have included adolescent health and advocacy. Shawn has also helped nursing students develop strategies to facilitate social and political change. Each year, they adapt their presentation the course’s needs and consistently engage with students during synchronous Zoom sessions.
“Shawn has a proven track record in advancing LGBTQIA+ health through advocacy, activism and education,” wrote their nominator. “They have helped nursing students develop strategies to facilitate social and political change, are a friend of the discipline and advocate for nurses everywhere.”
Catherine Hanley Class of 1912 Rising Star Award
Susannah Spero, MSN’18, is assistant medical director and a family nurse practitioner at Cornell University’s student health center, Cornell Health. She established and led a sexual violence response committee and trained clinical staff to provide more compassionate, trauma-informed care. Her leadership is characterized by a unique ability to balance evidence-based clinical care with the operational needs of the organization and fostering a supportive environment for fellow clinicians.
“Susannah is a rising star at Cornell Health and a standout leader, consistently demonstrating the ability to develop strategic, systems-level solutions to challenges affecting patient care,” read her nomination letter. “Her leadership is driving meaningful cultural change and contributing to sustained improvements in the quality and deliver of care. Susannah’s impact is both broad and deep — transforming not only how care is delivered, but how teams collaborate and thrive.”
Alma Gault Award for Public Service
Melinda Wray, MSN’18, has dedicated her nursing career to the underserved. She was awarded the Alma Gault Award for Public Service for her work in a women’s maximum security prison, where she has provided comprehensive health care, including intake exams, emergency exams, hospice care, COVID-19 treatments, addiction services and trauma-informed care.
“Melinda has dedicated her career to patient care,” wrote her nominator. “She has not lost her compassion and passion for caring or learning while under pressure and stress. Her resilience, strength, courage and kindness carry her through the toughness and inspires those who know her. She is a servant leader and a steward of good work.”
VUSN’s alumni award celebration included a state of the school address from Dean Pamela R. Jeffries, PhD, FAAN, ANEF, FSSH, which was followed by presentation of the awards by the alumni board. The event also included a cocktail reception before the ceremony and a reception for attendees immediately following the awards.