We are thrilled to announce the 2025 Convocation Awards. Each year faculty and students are nominated by their peers for various awards. We recognize outstanding faculty who are educating the next generation of nurse leaders and the dedicated nursing students who have shown exceptional qualities during their time at the School of Nursing.
Faculty Awards
The DAISY Nurse Educator Award recognizes faculty who exemplifies the attributes of an exemplary educator, outstanding role model and inspirational influence on their nursing students.
Receipient: Christopher Linton, MN, RNC-OB/EFM/MNN
“Chris truly demonstrates the qualifications required to receive the DAISY award. He has been the most supportive clinical instructor and has greatly influenced me in pursuing a career in obstetrics. Chris always greets us with a smile on his face and is ready to lead us to success during our clinical days. He offers a safe learning environment during clinical days and always mentions continuing to support us even after this quarter. Super thankful to have him as my OB instructor!” – Danalin Matro, nominator
The Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award recognizes faculty who create safe, supportive learning environments, demonstrate compassion and patience, and respect students as adult learners honing their professional clinical skills.
Recipient: Jess Jajesnica, DNP, MSN, ARNP, PMHNP-BC
“Dr. Jess demonstrates experience in the classroom and in the private sector. She is able to clearly articulate the steps of the PMHNP process. She provided me with valuable and constructive feedback that helped me improve my final project. She is the best teacher of the year.” – Reyes Alvarado Herrera, nominator
“Jessica has been a mentor and advocate for student learning in the DNP PMHNP program. She has demonstrated compassion and empathy to students throughout the program, offering guidance, wisdom and encouragement throughout the process. She volunteers her time to students outside of scheduled class and office hours, and checks in with students individually. She has been a role model for how to be an educator, mentor and advisor. Jess makes sure to connect the dots between theory of nursing and frameworks and applications to DNP projects, as well as in PMHNP practice.” – Wen Murphy, nominator
The Excellence in Promoting Diversity through Teaching Award recognizes faculty who create inclusive and equitable learning environments that value diverse perspectives and experiences.
Recipient: Jean Tang, PhD, PMHNP-BC, APRN
“Dr. Tang is committed to addressing social health disparities, privilege, and identity in her teaching, research, and clinical practice, consistently integrating anti-oppression principles into her mentorship. With a deep respect for diverse cultures, she actively seeks to learn from and about perspectives different from her own, ensuring that all students receive culturally relevant, non-oppressive education tailored to their unique learning needs.” – Emily Yoon Ji Suh, nominator
The Sandra Eyres Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award honors faculty who inspire critical thinking, foster professional growth, model ethical leadership, and create inclusive, dynamic learning environments where graduate students thrive.
Recipient: Katie Kemble, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C, AOCNP, FAANP
“In working through our DNP projects in NMETH 801, we ran into numerous operational road blocks or administrative challenges. Dr Kemble and her no-problem attitude and creative approach to virtually any challenge helped us to stay calm and collected under major time pressure. She is an excellent mentor and a great leader and epitomizes the DNP faculty who can creatively solve virtually any challenge while staying grounded in evidence-based practice in translational research.” -Devon Woodley, nominator
Description: The Rheba de Tornyay Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award recognizes a faculty member who inspires creative and critical thinking, fosters dynamic learning environments, integrates evidence-based practices, and honors students as active partners in their education.
Recipient: Nicola Contreras, DNP, RN, CHSE-A
The Nursing Research Mentorship Award recognizes faculty who have made exceptional contributions to advancing nursing science and practice-based inquiry through dedicated research mentorship.
Recipient: Kerry W. Reding, PhD, MPH, RN
“Dr. Reding exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding research mentor—she is patient, supportive, and deeply invested in her students’ success. She provides structured yet flexible guidance, allowing students to develop independence while feeling fully supported. Her mentorship has had a profound impact on my academic journey, and I cannot imagine a more deserving recipient of this award.” – Hongyu Yu, nominator
“I was fortunate to have Dr. Reding serve as the chair of my dissertation committee. Throughout my research journey, she is willing to share her experiences and guide students toward valuable resources. She creates a respectful and supportive atmosphere, particularly important for international students and those for whom English is not a first language. Her mentorship has greatly enhanced our confidence and sense of belonging within the research team.” Chi-Shan Tsai, nominator
Student Awards
The Undergraduate Outstanding Student Award recognizes a graduating student who has demonstrated exceptional academic and professional qualities, integrating leadership, evidence-based practice, and a commitment to health equity in alignment with the core goals of the nursing program.
Recipient: Sumaya Uthmaan, BSN
“Sumaya’s resilience is one of her defining qualities. Transitioning from homeschooling to a major university presented significant social and academic challenges, including managing social anxiety and feelings of imposter syndrome. Compounding these pressures, she navigated complex family responsibilities while maintaining academic excellence in a demanding nursing program. Despite these obstacles, Sumaya has excelled in both clinical settings and theoretical coursework, earning a strong GPA and several prestigious scholarships.” – Tiffany Liu, Katherine Ward, Margaret Heitkemper, nominators
The Doctor of Nursing Practice Outstanding Student Award is for a student graduating from the DNP program who best exemplifies the program goals: Leadership, Competency, Clinical Decision Making, and Contributions to the UW School of Nursing.
Recipient: Addy Adwell, DNP
Addy has her finger on the pulse, an excellent education, and is poised to make considerable impact as a scientist and a practitioner. – Sarah Gimbel, nominator
The Master of Science Outstanding Student Award is given to the MS student who best exemplifies the program goals: Creativity, Scholarship, Potential in the Profession, and Contributions to the Community.
Recipient: Denise Galdamez, MS-CIPCT
“She exemplifies the integration of theory into practice, creativity, scholarly excellence, leadership potential, and meaningful contributions to both academic and professional communities.” -Sarah Iribarren, nominator
The Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award celebrates a Graduate Student who has excelled in the role of Teaching Assistant, demonstrating exceptional teaching effectiveness, inspiring communication skills, and a remarkable ability to engage and connect with both students and faculty.
Recipient: Grey Mitchell, DNP
“Grey is valuable member of the team and has really helped to move the Simulation Center forward, particularly how they have shared their experiences to help us to best meet the needs of the DNP learner.” -Nicola Contreras, nominator
“Throughout their time as a DNP student, Grey has been a transformative presence within the UW SON community and the larger Seattle community. Their goal has always been clear: to advocate for and improve the quality of care for LGBTQIA+ people, particularly transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Grey’s dedication to this cause has been evident in their work and interactions with students and faculty alike.” – Nicola Contreras, nominator
The Dissertation Award in Nursing Science honors a graduate whose research demonstrates outstanding achievement in advancing knowledge that is innovative and impactful in promoting, restoring, and maintaining the health of individuals, families, or communities.
Recipient: Tao Zheng, PhD
“Through all of his work, Dr. Zheng has consistently demonstrated what our School and University hold as the highest standards of academic achievement but also an equally intensive commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Dr. Zheng has a long track record of teaching students of diverse ethnic backgrounds.” – Fran Lewis, nominator
“Tao is a first-generation college student. His parents who emigrated from China had not completed grade school. He started his nursing education at a Washington state community college. There is strong potential for Tao to impact the care of many older adults with chronic illness and especially those with potential cognitive dysfunction due to their illness. In addition, he holds great promise as an educator/clinician. There is no doubt that he will make a mark on our profession.” Peg Heitkemper, nominator
The DAISY Student Nurse Award recognizes a graduating student who shows a deep commitment to extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate patient care that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many people.
Recipient: Kaylah Gabriella Punio, BSN
“I would like to nominate Kaylah Punio who is currently a Senior Practicum student in the Cancer and Blood Disorders Clinic (CBDC) for this award because of the beautiful way she takes into consideration not only her patient’s physical needs but also the insightful and compassionate way she tailors her care to honor the developmental stage and needs of the child.” Anne Kalkbrenner, nominator
This honors a graduating UW School of Nursing student who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to social justice in the areas of leadership, scholarship and service. This award will honor a student who has served as a change agent and made a tangible impact on the university community promoting equity and inclusion.
Recipient: Autumn Dennistoun, DNP
“Dr. Autumn Dennistoun’s outstanding commitment to social justice in leadership, scholarship, and service was demonstrated through her year-long collaboration with the UW Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health (PNASH) Center, focusing on substance use and opioid overdose risk among commercial fishing workers in Washington State—one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States.” Jenny Tsai, nominator
We look forward to celebrating these amazing individuals on June 16 at Convocation.