2026 Education Award
This award honors an exceptional emergency nurse who has made outstanding contributions to the education and professional growth of colleagues, nursing students, patients, families, and/or the broader community. Contributions may include authoring publications, developing formal or informal educational offerings, or creating innovative programs or curricula that advance the specialty of emergency nursing.
Established in 2015, this award celebrates those who inspire learning, elevate practice, and shape the future of emergency care through excellence in education.

Nomination Criteria

Eligibility Requirements

  • The nominee must be a current member of the Illinois State Council ENA.

  • At least one nominator must be a member of the Illinois State Council ENA. Additional nominators are welcome but not required, and they do not need to be ENA members.

Required Submission Materials

  • Narrative Statement(s):

    • At least one narrative describing the nominee’s contributions to advancing knowledge among colleagues, nursing students, patients, families, and/or the community.

    • Additional narratives may be submitted but are optional.

    • At least one narrative must be authored by an Illinois State Council ENA member.

    • Narratives must not include the nominee’s name, place of employment, or geographic identifiers (city/state).

  • Curriculum Vitae or Résumé:

    • Strongly recommended. If unavailable, please submit as much detailed information about the nominee as possible.

Narrative statement(s) should thoughtfully and specifically address each of the following criteria:

  1. Educational Competence and Leadership

    • Describe how the nominee demonstrates excellence as a mentor, preceptor, resource, or instructor in educational programs for emergency nurses or other healthcare professionals; OR

    • Highlight contributions to the development of innovative educational programs for nursing students, patients, or families.

  2. Professional Contributions Through Scholarship

    • Summarize key publications, educational projects, or scholarly initiatives that showcase the nominee’s expertise and influence in emergency nursing.

  3. Impact on Emergency Care Education

    • Explain how the nominee has contributed to the development, implementation, or enhancement of educational programs that support and advance the specialty of emergency care.


Nursing Education Award Recipients
2025- Tibor Bajor 
2024- Kristian Stang, MSN, RN
2023- Allison Helmerichs, MSN, RN, TNS, CEN, CHSE
2020 – Cassandra O’Brien, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN, TNS, EMT
2019 – Katherine Kowalski, BSN, RN
2018 – Lynn Cabe, BSN, RN, CEN
2017 – Marlene Bokholdt, MS, RN, CPEN, TCRN, CEN
2016 – Nicholas Nelson, MS, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN, CCRN, NRP
2015 – Marites Gonzaga-Reardon, MSN, APN, CCNS, CEN (Inaugural Recipient)
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Email *
Nominator (Name, credentials, and name of hospital/organization) *
Relationship to nominee (peer/colleague/manager, staff) *
Organization/Hospital (of the nominee) *
Nominee (Name and Credentials) *
Nominee's email address *
Nominee's title/current position/role *
Organization/Hospital *
Narrative Statement (include photo of the nominee) *
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