Excellence in Innovation and Research Award

Process:

Nominations are accepted until January 4, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Nomination exemplars must have a minimum of 300 words and include specific examples in order to be eligible. Nominations are de-identified and assigned by category to committee members for review. The selection committee scores nominations, ranking them based on evidence provided within the nomination exemplar.

Award recipients are announced at a presentation event during Nurses' Week each year in May.

Purpose:

To honor a nurse who advances nursing practice through innovative solutions, scholarly inquiry, or research, supporting the domain of New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements and strengthening the culture of inquiry.

Eligibility:

• Nominees must have been employed by UVA Health for at least 12 months.
• Nominees must have completed their area orientation by time of submission.
• The nominee’s manager/direct supervisor must support the nomination.
• Any Community Health employee may nominate a nurse for this award.

Criteria:

A specific example must be submitted for each criterion below in order to be considered complete and valid. Examples must have occurred within the last 12 months and be consistent with the mission and values of UVA Health, and align with the organization’s strategic priorities in innovation, clinical excellence, and professional advancement. Nominations should emphasize measurable outcomes and tell a compelling story that illustrates the nominee's role in advancing nursing knowledge and practice.

Nominees for this award should demonstrate the following:

• LEADERSHIP IN INQUIRY: Leads or significantly contributes to nursing research, evidence-based practice (EBP), or quality improvement (QI) initiatives that enhance outcomes, safety, or patient experience.
• CHANGE AGENCY: Identifies practice gaps and implements innovative strategies within the Professional Governance structure at the unit, department, or system level.
• DISSEMINATION OF KNOWLEDGE: Shares findings through presentations, publications, poster sessions, or internal education forums.
• COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE: Promotes interprofessional collaboration in implementing practice changes with measurable improvements.
• CULTURE OF INNOVATION: Inspires and sustains a culture of inquiry, innovation, and continuous improvement aligned with clinical excellence and professional autonomy.

**Click Here to Submit a Nomination**