The 14th Annual FNA South Region Symposium and Awards Ceremony was held on May 11, 2024, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The event, hosted by the FNA South Region Volunteer Leadership Council, featured keynote speakers, poster sessions, and an awards ceremony. The event celebrated the nursing community’s achievements and provided opportunities for professional development.
Keynote Speakers
- Cheryl Peterson, MSN, RN, discussed ethics, healthy work environments, and advocacy in nursing.
- Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN, focused on nursing workforce development, nurse well-being, and quality and safety education.
Poster Sessions Highlighted topics included pediatric weight management, mental health education, and the use of AI in nursing education.
Awards and Recognitions Awards were given in various categories, including:
- Registered Nurse Practice: Kate Baca
- Advanced Practice Nursing: Dr. Rafael Camejo
- Nursing Leader Administration/Academia: Dr. Nichole Crenshaw/li>
- Nurse Educator: Dr. Roxana Orta
- Community Action: Dr. Dana Sherman
- Promoting Environment for Excellence in Nursing: Dr. Francisco Brenes
- Nurse Researcher: Dr. Ivette Hidalgo
- Nurse of the Year: Dr. Roxana Orta
- Unsung Hero Award: Jill Tahmooressi, Ophelia Sanchez, and Bridgette Johnson
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Patricia Messmer, Barbara Russell, and Linda Washington-Brown
Scholarships and Grants
- Nurses Charitable Trust Scholarship: Alexandra France, Meridith Tentinger
- Royce Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship: Alina Alfonso, Ashley Arjona
Poster Awards
- Literature Review: Cory Salcedo & Eric Fenkl
- Evidence-Based Practice: Dana Sherman and Deanna Goldin
- Research: Virginia Donofrio and team
View more pictures from the event at www.floridanurse.org/gallery
