ANCC Announces 2026 Pathway Nurse of the Year Award® Winners
Nurses from the United Kingdom, California, and Texas are recognized for their leadership in well-being, shared decision-making, and safety & quality
Chicago, IL – The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has announced the recipients of the 2026 Pathway Nurse of the Year Award®. The winners were presented at the 2026 Magnet & Pathway Conference® earlier today in Chicago.
The Pathway Nurse of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of nurses and nurse partners globally from Pathway-designated organizations for their exceptional contributions to the practice environment. Recipients exemplify professionalism and leadership, fostering collaboration among team members while integrating clinical expertise with compassionate patient or resident care. Their impact is reflected in improved organizational and/or patient outcomes within the Pathway Standards of Shared Decision-Making & Leadership, Safety & Quality, or Well-Being & Professional Development.
These individuals have made significant contributions to their practice environments by exemplifying professionalism, leadership, and collaboration with their teams. They skillfully integrated clinical expertise with compassionate care and demonstrated innovative approaches to fostering engagement, nursing excellence, and shared decision-making.
Pathway Nurse of the Year, Well-Being & Professional Development: Sophie Mayes, RN, BSc, PG Dip, PNA, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
Sophie Mayes, RN, BSc, PG Dip, PNA, Lead Professional Advocate (Nursing & AHP), of the Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust is being recognized for her transformational leadership in advancing workforce well-being. She led the development of a nationally recognized Professional Advocacy service and innovative initiatives that promote psychological safety, retention, and exceptional patient care. Mayes’ work directly links well-being to professional development, through restorative supervision, workshops, and development days. Her leadership has created a professional development environment that is compassionate, inclusive, and scalable. This work embodies the spirit of the Pathway to Excellence and represents nursing leadership of international relevance and impact.
Pathway Nurse of the Year, Shared Decision-Making & Leadership: Jaime Smith, BSN, RN, CEN, CFRN, ASC-BC, NVRN-BC Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
Jaime Smith, BSN, RN, CEN, CFRN, ASC-BC, NVRN-BC, Stroke Program Coordinator, Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital is being recognized for her exemplary leadership that is grounded in partnership, trust, and empowerment, as she intentionally elevates frontline nurses into active contributors for decisions that shape care delivery. Her leadership has led to the organization’s achievement of key stroke quality metrics. Smith’s work is rooted in equity, shared governance through mentorship, and her focus on evidence-based practice initiatives equip nurses with the skills to lead meaningful change. Smith’s accessible leadership and commitment to growing the nurses around her exemplifies the ethos of the Pathway to Excellence and represents the practice of putting the Pathway to Excellence framework into every shift.
Pathway Nurse of the Year, Safety & Quality, Direct Care Nurse: Heather Broom, MSN, RN, AMB-BC, Department of Veterans Affairs, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital
Heather Broom, MSN, RN, AMB-BC, of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audio L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital is being recognized for her leadership in driving evidence-based improvements in population-centered outpatient care, resulting in stronger patient outcomes in the younger veterans she cares for, as well as enhanced preventative care and better care coordination. Broom’s work is grounded in sound clinical judgement, compassion for the veterans she serves, and reflects the Pathway to Excellence principles through her exceptional collaboration, integrated clinical expertise, and compassionate care.
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American Nurses Credentialing Center
The American Nurses Credentialing Center works with the nation’s largest group of healthcare professionals to uphold the highest standards of nursing excellence. With a comprehensive suite of individual certifications and organizational accreditation programs designed to foster research, innovation, career growth, and leadership development, the credentialing center equips nurses to achieve safer, patient-centric outcomes both nationally and internationally. Committed to harnessing The Power of Nurses® to elevate care standards worldwide, the credentialing center continuously sets the benchmarks that support excellence in every facet of nursing practice.