Excellence in Professional Development 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 recognize a nurse who exemplifies a commitment to lifelong learning and professional advancement, contributing to a culture of excellence and nursing empowerment.

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 provided must have occurred within the last 12 months and align with the mission and values of UVA Health, as well as the principles of Transformational Leadership and Exemplary Professional Practice. Nominations should include measurable outcomes where applicable and telling a story with multiple examples is strongly encouraged to elevate the quality of the submission.

Nominees for this award should demonstrate the following:

• COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONAL GROWTH: Sustained engagement in continuing education, academic advancement, national certification, or specialty training.
• ENGAGEMENT IN PROFESSIONAL GOVERNANCE: Participation as a leader or member in councils, committees, or task forces that promote nursing excellence and peer accountability.
• MENTORSHIP AND SUPPORT: Actively mentors colleagues, fostering a spirit of inquiry, clinical advancement, and interprofessional collaboration.
• ADVANCEMENT OF PRACTICE ENVIRONMENT: Initiates or supports educational programs, onboarding efforts, clinical ladder activities, or preceptorship that improves team development and patient outcomes.
• EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE AND DECISION-MAKING: Demonstrates the use of evidence-based knowledge and shared decision-making in clinical or leadership roles.

**Click Here to Submit a Nomination**