The HFSA Distinguished Nursing Clinical Leader Award recognizes one or more nurses who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and clinical expertise in the care of patients with heart failure. This award honors individuals whose dedication, innovation, and mentorship have advanced heart failure nursing practice, improved patient outcomes, and served as a model of clinical excellence for colleagues and the broader heart failure community.
2026 Award Information
- Deadline for Submission: May 3, 2026
- Award Presentation: HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting 2026 (October 9-12, 2026 | Phoenix, AZ)
- Notification to Award Winner: June 2026
- Open to all nurses
- Must hold an active HFSA membership
Each nomination should consist of:
- A Letter of recommendation from a nominator highlighting the individual’s contributions and impact to HFSA.
- Nominee CV or resume
2024 –Teri Diederich, DNP, APRN-NP, FHFSA
2023 – Laura Peters, DNP, FNP
2022 – Maria White, FHFSA, FNP/ACNP-BC, MSN
2021 – Lydia Albuquerque, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, CCRN
2020 – Sonja Brune, MSN, APRN, CCNS, CHFN, AACC
2019 – Cindy Bither, ACNP, ANP
2018 – Natalie W. Pierson, RN, BSN, MSN, FHFSA
2017 – Johana R. Almansa, DNPc, RN, ANP-BC, CHFN
2016 – Peggy Kirkwood, RN, MSN, ACNPC, CHFN, AACC
2015 – Diane Gauthier
2014 – Karol Harshaw-Ellis
2013 – Beverly Baum
2012 – Kismet D. Rasmusson, MS, FNP-BC
2011 – Susan E. Ammon, RN, MS, FNP
2010 – Mary Beth Earley, CCRN, MSN, ANP-c
2009 – Donna F. Pettruccelli, MSN, CRNP
2008 – Sara C. Paul, RN, MSN, FNP
2007 – Suzanne J. Wingate, RN, Ph.D.
2006 – Kimberly Huck, ND, RN
Questions?
If you have questions about either HSFA nursing award, please contact Taylor Stempel at tstempel@hfsa.org.