Jeannine Rivet National Leadership Award

As a health system leader, Tiffany Covarrubias-Lyttle developed programs to help prevent workplace violence and support nurses after violent incidents, including simulation-based training and practical resources for nurses and leaders to strengthen safety in practice environments. She also contributed to efforts to improve workplace violence reporting in Virginia.

Beyond the health system setting, Covarrubias-Lyttle designed nurse-led campaigns addressing alpha-gal syndrome and heat-related illness in rural communities. These campaigns have reached more than 10,000 residents. Through a gubernatorial appointment to the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority, she also advocated for the establishment of the Nursing Workforce Center and its codification in Virginia law, helping support a foundation for its continued funding and impact.

Now an associate professor of nursing, Covarrubias-Lyttle is bringing that experience into prelicensure education, helping students build the skills to advocate for their own safety and well-being, support colleagues, and serve communities whose health needs are too often overlooked.

Dr. Sarik is a pediatric nurse practitioner and nurse scientist who developed the successful Baby Steps Program which is officially recognized by the American Academy of Nursing with the prestigious Edge Runner designation. Sarik has dedicated her career to advancing pediatric health equity, leading research to support children’s health, and improving patient outcomes through policy and advocacy. She began her career journey  during her employment with a global health organization where she focused on health policy and advocacy. After becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner and working in the primary care setting, Sarik witnessed health inequities firsthand, which led her to create the Baby Steps program. Baby Steps is a nurse-led program to improve the transition from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to home. It has already effectively demonstrated significantly improved patient outcomes by decreasing readmissions and urgent care use from the more than 800 patients who have participated in the program, reducing healthcare costs. Sarik has been described by colleagues as a nationally recognized leader who is dedicated to transforming systems of care, and a lifelong learner, dedicated to deep understanding and ongoing professional growth and development.

Jasmine is a nurse entrepreneur, teacher, and dedicated leader with more than 13 years of experience specializing in neurology. Like most nurses who spend most of their time on the frontlines of patient care, she saw where the greatest needs were in the community she was serving and used that as an opportunity to create a solution. As a result, Jasmine founded Navi Nurses in 2021. It’s an innovative business model committed to patient-centered care which focuses on the best approach and overall impact on the patient with consideration for genuine empathy, an affordable payment structure and convenience. Colleagues have described Jasmine’s company as “the Uber of Nursing”, saying she has “mastered the art and science of innovation and entrepreneurship”. Navi Nurses has also garnered numerous awards and grants during its infancy.

The name of the company embodies its mission. Jasmine explains: “'Navi'” is a shortened derivative of the Hindu word 'Anavi' meaning 'first light of dawn' and 'peace/compassion'... Navi Nurses will always be committed to providing quality care, along with reassurance, comfort, and peace of mind at every stage of care.”

Alita-Geri Carter is a seasoned nurse practitioner with more than a decade of experience in health care advocacy and leadership - spanning health care, business, and within her community. During her work with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Alita-Geri has directed key programmatic work and managed millions of dollars in federal funds. As the Founder and CEO of The Commission for Health, LLC, she empowers both health care providers and health care consumers through training and educational services. Alita-Geri is also the founder of the non-profit On the MOVE Academy, Inc. an educational program designed to provide leadership development for middle and high school-age students to prepare them for a future career in healthcare.

Ayomidamope (Ayo) Adebiyi, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, COHC, CEN presently serves as an occupational health nurse practitioner through Work Health Solutions and the University of California, Merced where she led the startup of the occupational health compliance program for research laboratories. Ayo is the founder of Care for the Unreached, a non-profit community health outreach service for mothers and infants in Nigeria. She earned her Masters of Science in Nursing, Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner Program, at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Maritza Lara, MS, RN, PHN is the interim Executive Director at Health Improvement Partnership of Santa Cruz County. Maritza was selected for the award for her leadership during the pandemic and her commitment to improving the structure that deliver health services to low-income communities.

She used her award funds to patriciate in programs at Yale University School of Management (Women's Leadership Program) and Stanford Graduate School of Business (The Brains and Guts of Decision Making).

Carli Zegers, PhD, APRN-NP, FNP-BC, serves as Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri – Kansas City, School of Nursing and Health Studies as well as a Nurse Practitioner at Truman Medical Center in the Emergency Department. Carli earned her PhD in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Nebraska and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing as well as a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Creighton University.

Andrea Smith, DNP, MBA, CRNP, FNP-BC is a nurse leader at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) where she serves as the Director of Clinical Effectiveness leads interprofessional teams in the execution of specific strategic initiatives to improve safety, quality and operational performance at UMMC’s two campuses. Dr. Smith has served as President of the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP), AAENP’s Northeast Regional Director as well as a Board Liaison on the American College of Emergency Physicians Workforce Task Force. She earned her Master of Business Administration, Doctorate of Nursing Practice, and Master of Science, Family Nurse Practitioner all from the University of Maryland.