Baltimore’s Top Nurses, 2026

Nursing has existed for centuries and can trace its roots back to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. Florence Nightingale put a face on “modern” nursing in the 19th century, and the rise of antibiotics and formal education tracks—not to mention two world wars—shaped it in the 20th century. Even as nursing has evolved from its herbalism roots to a multi-faceted and highly respected career, an extraordinary commitment to the care of patients has remained consistent.

That is certainly the case for the 157 nurses recognized on this year’s list.

Year over year, we compile the Excellence in Nursing list from nominations submitted by nurse managers, colleagues—even members of the general public. The nomination form is comprehensive, asking for detailed evidence of what makes this particular nurse outstanding. And year over year, the nurse advisory panel responsible for selecting our winners (in this case, from nearly 600 nominations) says the same thing: It was so hard to choose; these are all such amazing nurses.

This year, we decided to delve deeper into the remarkable stories of some of our winning nurses. In our feature, “Beyond the Call,” we speak with four nurses who, in their own words, share just a few of the stories of how they’ve gone above and beyond what is asked of them in their daily round to ensure the safety and comfort of both patients and their loved ones. Read the full piece, here.

Amy Alsante, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CHEP, LSSGB, is the chief nursing officer at Sunburst Workforce Advisors with over a decade of progressive leadership in acute and ambulatory care. Alsante holds a BSN from Towson University, an MS from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and a doctorate in Executive Leadership from The George Washington University.

Linda K. Cook, PHD, is an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, where she teaches across all levels of nursing education. She has been a registered nurse for 48 years and is passionate about nursing. Her primary clinical background is critical care nursing.

Julia Irwin has been a nurse for 17 years, all at Mercy Medical Center on the Inpatient Oncology Unit. She was on the Clinical Ladder completing projects on medication reconciliation and group peer review. For the last seven years she’s been the clinical nurse manager and has enjoyed growing and supporting her staff. She’s a member of ONS and ANA.

Kara Ward, MSN, RN, CPN, serves as the director of clinical services at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, bringing nearly 20 years of nursing experience to her role. Throughout her career, she has specialized in pediatric and women’s health nursing, with a professional trajectory that includes roles as a bedside nurse, nurse educator, and clinical leader.

Carlene Mello is the nurse manager of a med/surg telemetry unit at GBMC. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees through the University of Phoenix and was a 2016 recipient of Baltimore’s Excellence in Nursing award.

Dorhonja Nichols, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, is a nursing leader with extensive experience advancing quality and safety across complex care environments within a large academic health system and currently serves as director of Nursing for Critical Care and Behavioral Health Services at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. She is an American Hospital Association Next Generations Leadership Fellow Graduate.

Sarah Porter is a director of nursing programs at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she is responsible for assisting the vice president of nursing with coordination of executive priorities and implementation of operational and strategic objectives.

Kaylene Ross works per diem in peri-op services at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, ensuring high-quality, safe patient care to surgical patients. Her more than 50 years of nursing experience include open heart surgery, pediatrics, labor and delivery, education, general and orthopedic surgery, ICU, and nursing leadership.

ACUTE CARE/FAMILY PRACTICE/GENERAL MEDICINE

SURYAMOL CHACKO
Family Nurse Practitioner, MedStar Health

JOOYOUNG LEE
AP II, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

JOEY LEE
Diabetes Educator, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

BRITTANY SOEUN
Clinical Nurse II, MedStar Health

SEAN SQUIRES
Director of Nursing Operations, Kaiser Permanente

ACUTE REHABILITATION

ILANA TUCHMAN
Nurse Manager, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

ADMINISTRATION

CLAIRE CAFIRMA
Director of Perioperative, Endoscopy, and Interventional Radiology Nursing Services, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

MARGARET (MEGAN) LYNN
Director of Nursing, University of Maryland Access Center University of Maryland Medical System

BRAIN HEALTH

SIDONIE LUSANGA
Assistant Nurse Manager LifeBridge Health, Levindale

ANABELLE MAQUILING
RN, Charge Nurse LifeBridge Health, Levindale

CARDIOVASCULAR

DORIS (DEE) HICKMAN
Staff Nurse II, MedStar Health

KATHERINE NEHRBASS
Senior Clinical Nurse, UM St. Joseph Medical Center

Kendra Coles

Director of Nursing, Women’s and Children’s Services
UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

“There is something truly special about women’s and children’s health—supporting the arrival of new life while ensuring children have a strong and healthy start. In the midst of today’s maternal health crisis, it is essential that we continue working to improve outcomes for women and infants while addressing disparities that exist across racial and socioeconomic groups.

“My leadership in the pediatric space also gives me the opportunity to invest in the health of the next generation. The care we provide to children today has a lasting impact on the overall health of our communities tomorrow.”

CASE MANAGEMENT

KRISTIN KREMER
Registered Nurse Care Manager, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

KRISTINE MAULDIN
Senior Nurse Care Manager, Kennedy Krieger Institute

SHANA ROBERTSON
Nurse Case Manager, UM Upper Chesapeake Health

LISA WETZELBERGER
Nurse Care Manager. Kennedy Krieger Institute

JACQUI WIENECKE
System Director.  Utilization Management-Maryland Region MedStar Health

COMMUNITY CARE/ AMBULATORY CARE

TIFFANY VICKERS
Nurse Manager, Kaiser Permanente

STEFANIE WIDNER
RN, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

COORDINATION OF MEDICAL CARE/TFC

BARB OBST
Nurse Coordinator, Kennedy Krieger Institute

EDUCATOR

JEANIE ANASTASI
Clinical Simulation Lead Educator, Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Nursing

SHELBY CAHILL
Nursing and Professional Development Specialist, Johns Hopkins Health System

EMILY CIMIRRO
Education Specialist, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

KELLY DORAN
Associate Professor, UM Baltimore Community Engagement Center

JACKQUELINE EASLEY
Nurse Educator, VA Maryland Healthcare System

JOSIE GORMAN
Professional Development, Specialist MedStar Health

HELEN HART
Nurse Educator, VA Maryland Health Care System

MICHELLE HOPSON
Clinical Program Manager, Nurse Residency Program, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

BARBARA SMITH
Nurse Coordinator LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

Brooke Harmon

Emergency Department
Lifebridge Health, Sinai

“Nursing is an ever-growing field. We’re always learning. We’re always trying to do better and trying to do the best for our patients, and especially in the Emergency Department, to assist individuals who need help who aren’t the patient, to make sure the family is comfortable and supported, as well.”

Read more about Harmon, here. 

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

EVELYN ALVARADO
RN, Mercy Medical Center

ANNIE BELIN
RN, LifeBridge Health, Grace Medical Center

IAN BERNARD
RN, LifeBridge Health, Grace Medical Center

TONYA BETHEL
Nurse Manager. LifeBridge Health, Grace Medical Center

BOBBY BINKO
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

CASEY DAVIS
Pediatric CUC Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital

BROOKE HARMON
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

LUKE HARNED
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

JOSHUA KIM
RN, Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital

TRISHA KIREJCZYK
RN II, MedStar Health

MARY KONOPACKI
RN, BSN, Mercy Medical Center

DEANA KRUG
Clinical Nurse, MedStar Health

ARIEL LEONE
Nurse Manager, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

RUBY LIN
Assistant Nurse Manager, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

BRITTANY LOOKINGBILL
RN, LifeBridge Health, Carroll Hospital

IMANI MULZAC
RN, LifeBridge Health, Grace Medical Center

EMMA PELLER
Clinical Nurse, MedStar Health

NENA TAVEIRA DA SILVA
Assistant Director of Nursing, MedStar Health

PETER TINUOYE
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

REBECCA WILLINGER
Clinical Coach, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

Fernando “Tony” Johnson

Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
Medstar Harbor Hospital

“I was drawn to nursing a very long time ago. I was trained as a special forces (green beret) medic in the United States Army. What I love about the PACU is the fluidity of the environment. The patients who I see come directly to the recovery room after a surgical procedure. Their condition can be anything from conscious and stable to unconscious and sometimes requiring considerable support and interventions. There’s never a dull moment.”

EMPLOYEE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

CARRIE MONE
Occupational Health Nurse RN, BSN, University of Maryland Medical System

HOSPICE/HOME HEALTH/PALLIATIVE CARE

JENNIFER BROTHERTON
Case Manger, Johns Hopkins Care at Home

ASHLEY ENGLISH
RN Homecare, Clinical Lead, MedStar Health

MARJORIE SIMPSON
Inpatient Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, LifeBridge Health, Carroll Hospital

ICU STEPDOWN, INTERMEDIATE CARE

ADEYINKA (JESSICA) ADEDEJI
RN, UM R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

ICU STEPDOWN, VASCULAR ACCESS

JOHN JOSEPH DE GUZMAN FACUNDO
Clinical Nurse IV, Charge Nurse, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

INFECTION CONTROL

TONGELA RUSSOE
RN, Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital

INTENSIVE CARE

RICHARD ALVERO
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

BROOKE ANDERSEN
Director of Advanced Practice Education, CRNP, UM R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

ZACHARY BENSLEY
Assistant Nurse Manager, UM R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

LINDA BROOKS
Senior Clinical Nurse II University of Maryland Medical Center

RYAN DE TORRES
Clinical Ladder Registered Nurse IV, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

JENNIFER WHITCOMB
RN, Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital

KATIE WICKLEIN
Clinical Nurse Expert, LifeBridge Health, Northwest Hospital

SAMANTHA YOUNG
Clinical Nurse Specialist, The Johns Hopkins Hospital

INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY

CHERRY JUAKAY
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

KATIE KALMANOVICH
RN II, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

BRITTANI REID
RN, Mercy Medical Center

CHRISTINE TAN
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

Ethan Bryant

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

“Successful nurses are compassionate, adaptable, and strong communicators. Critical thinking is essential, especially in high-acuity environments like the PICU, where situations can change quickly. A willingness to continue learning and growing professionally also helps nurses remain effective and resilient throughout their careers. Equally important is teamwork—no one provides care alone in healthcare.”

LABOR AND DELIVERY

GIGI CATLIN
Clinical Nurse II, UM St. Joseph Medical Center

MANAGEMENT/NURSE EXECUTIVES

ATINUKE AWOSIKA
Nurse Executive, LifeBridge Health, Levindale

MARIVIC BACWADEN
Assistant Director of Nursing, MedStar Health

BARBARA BOSAH
Nurse Manager, University of Maryland Medical Center

RAILENE BROSEGHINI
Nurse Manager Mercy Medical Center

JESSICA BRUZDZINSKI
Assistant Nurse Manager, The Johns Hopkins Hospital

ETHAN BRYANT
Assistant Nurse Manager, The Johns Hopkins Hospital

KENDRA COLES
Director of Nursing, Women’s and Children’s, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

ELIZABETH DIPIETRO
Assistant Vice President of Inpatient Nursing, Kennedy Krieger Institute

CHRISTA FEOLA
Sr. Director of Nursing, MedStar Health

ROSINA GONZALES
Manager of Accreditation and Certifications, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

NADINE HENRY THOMAS
Director Nursing MedStar Health

JEAN JAUREGUI
Director of Nursing, Critical Care and Behavioral Health, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

AMANDA SHROUT
Vice President of Patient Care Services, Chief Nursing Officer, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital, Grace Medical Center

MARIE LILETTE “MILETTE” SORIANO
Nurse Manager LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

ARIEL WOODWARD
Director of Nursing, Disease Specific Programs MedStar Health

ASHLEY YOUSEFIAN
Director of Quality Improvement, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING

JOJO ABRENICA
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

AMELITA BAGAY
RN, MedStar Health

FUNMI BALOGUN
RN, MedStar Health

RAJHEA BENNETT
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

ASHIYA CARTWRIGHT
RN, MedStar Health

PERLITA CHIN
RN, MedStar Health

LAURA CHOWDHRY
Clinical Nurse III, Mercy Medical Center

JULIE COSIMANO
Nurse Navigator, MedStar Health

GRETCHEN DARROCA
RN IV, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

BRITNEY HUFHAM
RN II, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

KYA JOHNSON
RN, Mercy Medical Center

RASHIDAT LARSAH
RN, UM Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Institute

KAREN MUNOZ
Clinical Nurse University of Maryland Medical Center

OLIVIA RANKIN
RN III, The Johns Hopkins Hospital

JOANNA SANCHEZ
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

ROSELYN SEBASTIAN
Nurse Manager LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

SOPHIA SKELLY
RN, MedStar Health

NEUROLOGY/ PSYCHOLOGY/ BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

MERLE AMPARO
Lead Clinical Nurse, The Johns Hopkins Hospital

NICOLE GOFF
Comprehensive Stroke Nurse Navigator MedStar Health

CHRISTA PAGE
RN II, MedStar Health

LENA SUTCH
Stroke Program Coordinator, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

ONCOLOGY

ERNEST LAURENCE CABAÑAS
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

CIARA MCHUGH
Nurse Manager, The Johns Hopkins Hospital

SYDNEE SAPACK
Clinical Nurse II, Mercy Medical Center

MEGAN SCHOLLENBERGER
Senior Nurse Practitioner, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

MEGAN SCHWARTZ
Nurse Manager, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

SONJA VOZNIAK
Nurse Manager, Apheresis/HATS, The Johns Hopkins Hospital

ALEDA WALTERS
Oncology Clinical Educator, Ascension Saint Agnes Cancer Institute

MAYA WASHINGTON
Clinical Nurse II, Mercy Medical Center

MONICA WILT
Clinical Program Director, Johns Hopkins Health System

OPERATING ROOM

STEVEN ADAMS
Nurse Manager, Sterile Processing Department, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

ANNET ADEGBOYEGA
Clinical Outcomes Specialist, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

SHEILA ANGOBUNG
Vascular Surgery Coordinator, University of Maryland Vascular Surgery

RACHEL HELLMANN
Nurse Manager, General Operating Room and Surgical Posting, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

LAUREN MASSER
Clincial Nurse II, Mercy Medical Center

MARY FRANCES MONTE
Clinical Nurse II, Mercy Medical Center

SILVANA WILLOUGHBY
Clinical Program Manager and Education Specialist, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

Alexandra Page

Neonatal Nurse
Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital

“With neonatal babies, I always look at it like I’m caring for one of my own babies. And their parents are going through so much that it’s hard for them to even take a break for a minute, so you’re providing care and comfort to them, as well.”

Read more about Page, here. 

ORTHOPEDICS

NORIS GALEDO
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

TROY HERAMIA
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

NEYSA OLID
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

PEDIATRICS: NEONATAL

OLIVIA HALABY
RN, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

ZOE OGDEN
RN II, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

ALEXANDRA PAGE
RN, Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital

ALLISON SCHMIDT
Clinical Outcomes Specialist, LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital

PEDIATRICS: NON-NEONATAL

LIANE BRUTON
RN, Mercy Medical Center

CAPUCINE DINGLE
RN, Kennedy Krieger Institute

TINA HUMBEL
Nurse Manager University of Maryland, Golisano Children’s Hospital

LAURA MCNABB
Nurse Coordinator, Kennedy Krieger Institute

LISA SHOEMAKER
Nurse Manager, The Johns Hopkins Hospital

PERIANESTHESIA

SANDY RAMOS
Perianesthesia, Nurse Educator, Mercy Medical Center

ALEXANDRA TALBOTT
Clinical Nurse II, Mercy Medical Center

POST ANESTHESIA UNIT

FERNANDO (TONY) JOHNSON
Clinical Nurse, MedStar Health

PREADMISSION TESTING

TANJA GROSS
RN, Mercy Medical Center

PSYCHIATRIC

SURYAMOL CHACKO
DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-C MedStar Health

SHARON CARROLL
Nurse Practitioner, Sheppard Pratt

CATHY FIELD
School Nurse, Sheppard Pratt

LISA HOFFMANN
Nurse Pracitioner, Sheppard Pratt

ALLYSON KEMP
Nurse Pracitioner, Sheppard Pratt

GELILA RETTA
Nurse Practitioner, Sheppard Pratt

LAURA STARTZMAN
Sr. ECT Nurse, Sheppard Pratt

SHANNON TIEMAN
Lead, Co-occurring Behavioral Health, BrightWell Health

REHABILITATION

STACY GUERIN
Director of Nursing, UM Rehabilitation & Orthopedic Institute

RESEARCH

MARIK MOEN
Associate Professor, UM Addiction Treatment Programs

SCHOOL NURSE

GAIL HALL
School Nurse, Baltimore County Public Schools

MARY KONOPACKI
RN, BSN, St. Joseph School-Fullerton

TRANSPLANT

MARY JOHNSON
Post Lung Transplant RN, University of Maryland Heart and Lung Transplant

TRAUMA

KAREN MCQUILLAN
Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist, UM R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

WOMEN’S HEALTH

MELISSA JOHNSON
Director of Nursing, The Johns Hopkins Hospital

MEGHAN MINOR
Senior Clinical Nurse II, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

JULIE PLESCIA
Nurse Educator, Mercy Medical Center

STEPHANIE WILLIAMS
Nurse Navigator, Ascension Saint Agnes Breast Center

WOUND CARE

JESSICA SIMKINS
RN, BSN, WCC UM Upper Chesapeake Health