INF Announces 2025 Nurses of Influence Awardees & Nominees

Press Release

Announcing Indiana’s 2025 Nurses of Influence Nominees

August 1st, 2025 (Indianapolis, IN) The Indiana Nurses Foundation (INF) proudly announces Indiana’s 2024 Nurses of Influence Awardees and Nominees, an esteemed group of peer-nominated nurses who are recognized by their colleagues for their exceptional contributions to the profession. These influential nurses exemplify the core values of nursing: human dignity, integrity, autonomy, altruism, and social justice.

Each nominee has made a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of Hoosiers, mentored the next generation of nurses, and helped shape the future of the nursing profession. Their leadership, advocacy, and commitment to excellence ensure a strong and enduring legacy for nursing in Indiana.

Since 1976, the Indiana Nurses Foundation has strengthened Indiana’s nursing practice through philanthropy, supporting research, quality improvement, and professional development. INF remains committed to advancing nursing leadership, advocacy, and community for both today’s nurses and those of the future.

Please join us in congratulating these well-deserved award winners. Their passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence serve as an inspiration to us all. The INF surprised the top three award winners with a sweet treat, flower bouquet, and a giant (faux) check, which was all around favorite part of the surprise celebration.

Indiana’s 2025 Emerging Nurse Leader

Carolyn Meyer, BSN, RN, HN-NC, CCL

Holistic Response Team (HRT), Coordinator

Parkview Health

Leaders in nursing are not always defined by their title or by a position of authority, but by their impact on colleagues and patients. Effective leaders respect the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach, navigate change with ease, and are recognized as problem solvers. Within the nursing profession leaders serve as role models influencing health care delivery and improving workplace culture. The emerging nurse leaders here serve a crucial role in mentoring future nurses as well as the nursing leadership of tomorrow.

Indiana’s 2025 Nursing Educator of the Year

Dr. Rebecca Bartlett-Ellis, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, FAAN

Interim Vice Chancellor Enrollment Management & Professor

Indiana University School of Nursing

An influential educator goes beyond simply imparting knowledge; they inspire, challenge, and empower others to reach their full potential. Through a nursing educator’s dedication, empathy, and mentorship they leave a lasting impact on students and practicing nurses, instilling a lifelong love of learning and a sense of confidence to reach new professional heights ultimately, positively impacting the care provided to patients.

Indiana’s 2025 Top Nurse of Influence

Dr. Wanda Thruston, DNP, PNP, RN

Director of Access and Engagement

American Association of Colleges of Nursing

The INF’s Nurses of Influence Awards highest distinction recognizes Indiana’s top nurse whose unwavering dedication, compassion, and expertise have left a lasting mark on our communities. The top nurse of influence promotes both the art and science of nursing exemplifying the highest standards of nursing excellence, touching the lives of countless patients, families, and colleagues. Their impact extends beyond the walls of our institutions, contributing significantly to the advancement of the nursing profession through leadership, education, and community outreach.

 

2025 Nurses of Influence Nominees

(Alphabetically Listed by First Name then Employer or School)

 

Amanda Leffler, DNP, RN*

Leffler Academy

Angela Shick, MBA, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CENP, CMNL

Good Samaritan

Anjanette Wicker, MSN, RN, AMB-BC  

Community Health Network

April Nikoloski, MSN, RN, CNS, CCRN, CSC

Franciscan Health Crown Point

Bill Chapman, RN

Deaconess Health System

 Brenda Partain BSN, RN

Community Health Network

 Brianne Heck, BSN, RN

Deaconess Health System

 Carolyn Meyer, BSN, RN, HN-BC, CCL 

Parkview Health

 Courtney Cardinal, RN-C

Columbus Regional Hospital

 Courtney Johnston, BSN, RN, CCRN, TCRN

Deaconess Midtown Hospital

 Darci Robertson, BSN, RN

Indiana University Health Ball Memorial

 Evans Appiah Osei, BSc, MPhil, PhD Candidate

Purdue University 

Jade Thomas, BSN, RN, CMSRN

Deaconess Health System

 Jamie Fuller, LPN

Cardinal School of Care

 Jennifer Boes, BSN, RN

Indiana University - Student Health Center

 Jennifer Embree, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CCNS

Eskenazi Health/ Indiana University

 Katherine Feley, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CAE

Indiana State Nurses Association

 Kelsey Young, RN, VABC

Parkview Health

 Laurie Bryant, LPN/MDSC

Mitchell Manor

 Leigh Flegge-Schlie, DNP-S, FNP-S, BSN, RN  

Indiana University Health North

 Mackenzie Mallory, BSN, RN, CMSRN 

Deaconess Hospital

 Meagan Konwinski, BSN, RN

Parkview Regional Medical Center

 Nichole Hickman, DNP, RN, CPNP

Indiana University Health Medical Group

 Nicole Brauser, RN, BSN, CV-BC, MSN

Deaconess Health

 Niki Wohlford, RN

Lutheran Hospital

 Olivia Bushroe, BSN, RN

Lutheran Hospital

 Rachel Kell, BSN, RN, OCN, CMSRN

Deaconess Infusion

 Rebecca Bartlett Ellis, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, FAAN*

Indiana University

 Shauna Martin BSN, RN

Deaconess Gateway

 Wanda D. Thruston, DNP, APRN, PNP-PC, RN

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

*Denotes multiple nominations.

The Foundation would like to share our gratitude for our internal and external judges who participated in the blinded review of the nominations provided by nurses of influence colleagues. We thank Parkview Health, IU Health North Hospital, and Parkview Health for their support in celebrating these amazing colleagues.

We encourage you to learn more about the Foundation’s current programs for Indiana Nurses, including scholarships for Professional Success & Certification, grants for Research and Quality Improvement Projects, Nurses in Need funding, and general programming such as nurse recognition, like the Honor a Nurse program. Our foundation can celebrate Indiana’s Nurses of Influence due to the generosity of our donors. Thank you to the INF Community!

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About the Indiana Nurses Foundation

The Indiana Nurses Foundation (INF) was established as the charitable, tax- exempt 501c3 organization, of the Indiana State Nurses Association. Since 1976, the INF has served Indiana nurses and nursing students through the promotion of professional development scholarships, research and quality improvement grants, recognition, and Nurses in Need resources. The INF vision is to inspire and support Indiana Nurses to actively take part in professional growth opportunities through contributions of our donors by providing a means to leave a legacy for nursing and to improve health care delivery to all Hoosiers.

 

INF About Us

INF Contact: Libby Harris, INF President | 317-299-4575 | INFPresident@indiananurses.org

Media Contact: Katie Feley | 317-299-4575 | katie@indiananurses.org