ANA-New York is now accepting nominations for the 2026 ANA-NY Awards, recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nursing profession and the health of people across New York State.

This year, we are accepting nominations in the following categories:

• Mentorship
• Policy & Service
• Nursing Practice: Early Career
• Friend of Nursing (Non-Member Award)

Each year, ANA-NY honors individuals whose leadership, innovation, and dedication have strengthened our profession and improved health outcomes throughout New York State. We encourage colleagues, faculty, nurse leaders, and members to submit nominations and help ensure deserving individuals receive the recognition they have earned.

Nominees must be registered professional nurses who practice or have practiced in New York State and be current ANA-NY members, unless otherwise noted. The Friend of Nursing Award may recognize non-nurse individuals or organizations. Current ANA-NY Directors are not eligible.

Nomination Deadline: April 3, 2026

If someone comes to mind, now is the time to act.

Review the full criteria and submit your nomination by April 3 →

Mentorship Award 

The ANA-NY Mentorship Award recognizes a nurse who has been an exemplary mentor to less experienced nurses (novices) in any domain of nursing – education, research, practice improvement, clinical practice, and/or health policy. The recipient of this award will have provided professional guidance and support to the mentees over a protracted-time period during the evolution of their careers in an effort to help the mentees reach their professional, mutually agreed-upon goals.  

Criteria:  

• Demonstrated activity as a mentor through: 
• Documentation by at least two (2) mentees of the role played by the mentor in helping them to achieve their professional goals; 
• Collaborative publications and/or presentations with a mentee as the first author; and 
• Acknowledgment of mentor in published works (mentor not the author) or awards supported by mentor (mentor not part of the award). 
• Protracted relationship between mentor and mentee (i.e., going beyond a working relationship). Examples: If a faculty member, working with a student beyond graduation from a program. If in a clinical role, meeting and working with mentee beyond work hours. 

Policy and Service 

The ANA-NY Policy and Service Award recognize a nurse who has made significant contributions in the policy, legislative, and/or nursing service sectors of the profession and has contributed in these realms beyond their own practice to advocate within the policy and/or service arenas to bring change to nursing and the healthcare system.  

Criteria:  

• Demonstrated activity in policy and/or service through a minimum of two (2): 
• Political activity (i.e., development and support of the legislation, campaign work, fundraising, or lobbying), which promotes the nursing profession in political and health care arenas 
• Advancement of the knowledge of nurses, politicians, and policymakers concerning the contributions of nursing in the health care field 
• Development of mechanisms to promote the effectiveness of nursing's role in the provision of health care services through political and/or legislative activities 
• Promotion of the role of nursing as a scholarly discipline by using research findings as a foundation for legislative and regulatory initiatives that promote the role of nursing and the safety and quality of care of our patients 
• Demonstrated activity in ANA-NYs policy, leadership, scholarship, and/or educational agenda 

Nursing Practice: Early Career 

The ANA-NY Nursing Practice Award recognizes and celebrates excellence in the provision of direct care to patients, families, communities, and/or populations. The recipient of this award exemplifies a high level of compassion and expertise in the provision of such health care.   

Criteria:   

• Within five (5) years of initial licensure  
• At least a Bachelor’s degree in nursing  
• Demonstrated evidence of significant contribution to improved quality of patient care  
• Demonstrated evidence of recognition for excellence in practice  
• Modeled a holistic approach for care of both family and patient, cultural sensitivity, and excellent patient/family education  

Friend of Nursing 

The ANA-NY Friend of Nursing Award recognizes non-nurse individuals or organizations (excluding professional nursing organizations) who have had a significant positive impact on ANA-NY, the health care community, and/or the health of people.  

Criteria:  

• Demonstrated commitment to the purposes and goals of ANA-NY. 
• Demonstrated superior achievement and leadership in their field of work. 
• Sustained contribution(s) of lasting significance to ANA-NY, the nursing profession, and/or the health of people in New York State. 
• Examples of contributions to the nursing profession include, but are not limited to: 
• Leadership in strategic efforts to promote legislation and/or regulation supportive of Registered Nurses and their patients 
• Implementation of critical research which supports the nursing profession 
• Provision of exemplary service to a professional nursing organization 
• Participated in or lead collaborative efforts to improve health care 
• Demonstrated leadership in the promotion of Registered Professional Nurses as equal partners in the health care system 

Non-Member Award Application materials:  

• • Written narrative nomination by the nominator(s) (or self) that addresses how the nominee meets the criteria for the award; not to exceed 500 words or two double spaced typewritten pages 
  • Two (2) letters of support from professional colleagues 

Nomination Deadline: April 3, 2026

If someone comes to mind, now is the time to act.

Submit Your Nomination Here  →