2025 Excellence in Nursing Awards

For every doctor or medical leader, there is a team of nurses behind the curtain making sure everything runs smoothly for patients to receive the best care. They are our first responders, caregivers, and medical and emotional support as we face the unknown. They’re the ones who hold your hand through the good and bad, who stay by your side well past their shift’s end and advocate for your best interests. The remarkable nurses featured in the following pages go above and beyond to make our state’s residents healthier and happier, and it’s our pleasure to honor them.

Rhode Island Monthly partnered with the Rhode Island State Nurses Association, which solicited nominations for the best in the field from fifteen categories of nurses. Read on to discover the winners of our eleventh annual Excellence in Nursing Awards and what makes them so special.

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Community/Home/Public Health Nurse

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Carissa Bobek, ADN, RN 

Youth and Family Nurse, Thrive Behavioral Health 

Was nursing always your career path?

As a child, I was afraid of doctors and could not walk into a hospital without feeling anxious and nauseous. Nursing was never a consideration. After my son was born with a medical complication, I realized I wanted to be a pediatric nurse. I wanted to be able to provide children and their families with the compassion, care and support that was given to me during a vulnerable period of my life.

What is unique about your job?

I work in multiple environments to support a clinical team and the 400-plus families we provide services to. We have clients ages three and up with a broad spectrum of diagnoses and needs. Between psychoeducation, completing assessments and care plans during their appointments at the office or therapeutic school we support, I also get to color, play games, draw and connect with the children to develop a relationship that differs from their doctors or clinicians.

What is the most challenging aspect of the role?

Federal funding cuts to education, mental and behavioral health are anticipated to have a significant impact on the local services we offer and the prevention work that is such a big part of community nursing. Community nursing is a long-term investment in public health, but you can’t always see the effects right away. It’s rewarding to see the progress and the positive outcomes achieved when we take care of one another.

What is the best part of the job?

Knowing I am giving back to the community my family has lived in for generations. Having families share their challenges and successes — knowing they are being met with trust, empathy and compassion — is rewarding. Witnessing children engage in treatment to obtain the tools needed to be successful and paving the way for future generations to be comfortable addressing their mental health is the best part of my job.

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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

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Barbara Achey, MSN, CRNA

Site Chief CRNA, Roger Williams Medical Center and Narragansett Bay Anesthesia

Was nursing always your career path?

I started out as a secretary at a nursing facility right out of high school, and shortly realized I preferred being around the patients instead of in the office. I attended CCRI to obtain my nursing degree while working as a CNA in a hospital. This helped develop my relationship-building skills with patients and learn the importance of working in a team when developing a patient’s care plan. My first job as an RN was on a busy surgical floor; I was blessed to have great mentors. It wasn’t long before I helped in a step-down unit for intensive care patients and enjoyed taking care of a more critical patient.

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

I eventually ended up in a post-anesthesia care unit. I continued my education and completed my bachelor’s degree, where I got to see the level of care and commitment the anesthetists gave their patients. I have to give credit to the great CRNAs I worked with who encouraged me to get my anesthesia degree. With three children at the time, it wasn’t easy. My mother was instrumental in me becoming a CRNA and I wish she was here so I could share this honor with her.

What is the best part of the job?

I feel privileged to be a CRNA and work in a group with so many outstanding anesthetists. Our job is both demanding and rewarding. It’s been interesting to see how anesthesia has evolved through the years and become safer in many ways — more patients can go home right after surgery. Each patient brings their own challenges no matter what surgery they’re having. I work with surgical oncologist patients and sometimes see the same patients for several surgeries (maybe it’s for a chemo port, a tumor removal, for comfort measures, etc.). It’s rewarding to alleviate anxieties at initial contact or future ones. Being a CRNA allows me to deliver patient care in a very compassionate way.

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Nurse Practitioner 

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Michelle Blade Mello, DNP, FNP-C, CNM

Associate Medical Director, Thundermist Community Health Center of West Warwick; Medical Director, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program, Thundermist

What are the most challenging aspects of the role?

Working with the homeless population is both the most challenging and the most rewarding aspect of my job. Unstable living conditions, the constant risk of harm and limited access to necessary resources such as healthy food, transportation and safe medication storage are significant barriers to their health and well-being. It’s incredibly rewarding to earn their trust and make a tangible difference — improving access to care, advocating for them and witnessing the positive health changes that can result.

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

As a family nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife, I have the privilege of caring for my patients throughout their lifespans. I chose to be dual certified because it allows me to build lasting relationships with patients and families, supporting them through every stage of life, from childhood to parenthood and beyond. It’s a joy to provide primary care for children and adults who were once the babies I helped bring into the world!

What drew you to the nursing field?

I have always been drawn to the field of health care. As a teenager, I worked in a pharmacy, an urgent care center and an OB/GYN office. I was exposed to health care early in my career and became aware of the unique qualities that nurses possess as caregivers, educators, advocates and collaborators. Through experience and education, I developed the skills and knowledge needed to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care to individuals and families throughout their lifespans.

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Long-Term Care Nurse

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Sabrina Soares, RN

Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Golden Crest Nursing Centre

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

Interestingly, long-term care nursing is not where I originally pictured myself. I thought I wanted to work in maternal health with moms and babies. But once I started working with the elderly population, everything changed. I realized how much I connected with this group — I loved their stories and resilience. I fell in love with the opportunity to advocate for their dignity and quality of life. 

What is the best part of the job?

Being able to make a difference in the lives of my patients and their families every day. In long-term care, you build relationships that go beyond clinical tasks; you become a trusted part of someone’s support system. I find so much fulfillment in advocating for patients, helping them maintain quality of life and supporting families through difficult decisions. I also find it incredibly rewarding to mentor newer nurses and help guide planning that ensures each resident receives personalized, compassionate care.

What are the most challenging aspects of the role?

Balancing the clinical needs of our residents with the administrative responsibilities that come with leadership. Managing complex patient care plans and coordinating with families, providers and staff — all while ensuring compliance and patient-centered care — can be overwhelming at times. But those challenges are what make the role so fulfilling. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the direct impact our team’s efforts have on a resident’s comfort, dignity and overall well-being. Supporting staff growth and creating a strong care environment is also deeply satisfying, especially when you see how that translates into better outcomes for those we serve.

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Licensed Practical Nurse

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Christopher Pierce, LPN

Providence VA Healthcare System

What drew you to the nursing field?

I have always had a desire to help others. I decided to join the Army to pursue this. I became a medic while enlisted, then had the opportunity to complete the Army’s LPN schooling. 

What are you most proud of in your career?

Having the ability and honor to work with veterans at the Providence VA. It provides me with the opportunity to continue to serve. My grandfather and father served, and my son is currently serving. The best part of the job is being able to give back by assisting and helping the community and the veterans. 

What is the most interesting thing you’ve experienced?

How far we have come in terms of technology in medicine. We have the ability to treat patients in their homes. We can connect them to specialists from across the country via telehealth services, which helps in reducing wait times, provides better care for patients who are homebound or have difficulty traveling, and enhances access to care.

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Nurse Entrepreneur

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Katelyn Holt, RN, BSN

Inventor and CEO/Founder, KOLT Innovations

What drew you to the nursing field?

Nursing is my second bachelor’s degree. When I realized I wanted to be a nurse, it felt like a calling: It just clicked.

What is unique about your job?

As a nurse entrepreneur running my own company, I am actively bringing a medical device to market. I saw a need (better care in male incontinence) and came up with a solution. Running my own company has been such a unique experience with a lot of learning as I go and immersing myself in programs to propel the business forward. Running a startup is a marathon with a lot of ups and downs — it takes a lot of perseverance and grit to keep going. It’s been three years since I started KOLT Innovations, and we are so close to manufacturing! It is rewarding seeing how far we have come in such a short amount of time.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Pursing my invention took a leap of faith to leave my position as a cardiac nurse and fully commit to bringing my external male urinary catheter to fruition. It has been a different way of caring for people. Eileen Gray, a nursing professor at Salve Regina, said, “Nurses make the best inventions,” and that was ingrained in me from that day forward.

Tell us about a positive experience with a patient.

I was featured in The Boston Globe, and after that, incontinent men or caregivers reached out to me with their stories of struggling with incontinence, which has fueled me to bring our cath to patients as soon as we can. I want to make a difference in their lives, and to help my fellow nurses and CNAs to care better and have more time in their shift.

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Recent Nurse Graduate

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Angela Lavoie, BSN, RN, CV-BC

Cardiovascular Certified Registered Nurse, 4 East Team Member, The Miriam Hospital

Was nursing always your career path?

I began my professional journey as an emergency medical technician and volunteer firefighter. During this time, I earned my cardiac licensure and firefighter II certification, which generated my passion for emergency medicine. I then expanded my career by becoming a certified occupational therapy practitioner. This role taught me the value of patience and importance of patient education. Over time, I realized I wanted to merge my two passions — medicine and education — and that’s when I discovered nursing.

What is unique about your job?

As an RN, I am granted the daily privilege of providing care and empowering patients on their journey toward wellness. I inspire self-awareness, foster growth and create pathways to success for each person I care for. The most rewarding part is when I discharge a patient, knowing they leave with newfound knowledge and confidence. There’s truly no greater satisfaction than witnessing someone achieve their goals, whether it’s recovering from an illness or navigating a life transition. Nurses are in a unique position to educate, guide and support both patients and their families, helping them move forward with strength and clarity.

Tell us about a positive experience with a patient.

Nursing goes beyond medicine and education — it’s about identifying the moments where we can make someone feel valued. I cared for an elderly gentleman, who told me that the secret to his long, happy marriage was sharing dinner on Wednesdays. He also shared his sadness in missing the tradition that week. With the help of a compassionate team, we set up a candlelit ice cream date for him and his spouse. They were very thankful. This experience reminded me that in the heart of every diagnosis, there is a person with a story and moments that matter. 

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Clinical Practice Nurse

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Stephanie Santos, RN, BSN

The Miriam Hospital

Was nursing always your career path?

Nursing always felt like the right path. Maybe it was growing up with an ill grandmother or simply an innate instinct to care for others, but from an early age, I knew nursing was where I was meant to be. I’ve also always had a strong connection to the environment. Through my career, I’ve found meaningful ways to combine both passions — whether it’s leading cleanups, serving on the local conservation committee, or heading up the Green Team at my hospital. I’ve seen how deeply connected human health is to the health of our planet — both require care, advocacy and a long-term commitment to healing.

Tell us about a positive experience with a patient.

One of my most memorable experiences involved a patient named Mike. During his stay, we bonded over our love for the environment and being from Lincoln. When I told him about my work on the local conservation commission, his eyes lit up; he had just written to town officials about a litter problem on his street. We made a pact: If I helped him heal, he’d join my next cleanup. True to his word, Mike showed up — healthy, smiling and eager to help. Since then, he’s become a dedicated volunteer and advocate. Watching his transformation from patient to active community member was a beautiful reminder that nursing goes far beyond physical care.

What are you most proud of in your career?

For eighteen years, nursing has challenged and shaped me in countless ways. Each role, including managing ER overflow and mentoring graduates, has deepened my respect for this profession and the resilient teams that make quality patient care possible. I also take pride in championing environmental responsibility, both within my hospital and through my work on the conservation commission. As someone who loves to give back, I hope my son, Mathies, sees in my actions what it means to live with compassion and integrity. As chair of the Green Team, I’ve been able to push forward initiatives to reduce waste, implement recycling programs and raise awareness around sustainability in health care.

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Team of Nurses

3 East Nursing Team, The Miriam Hospital

Interviewee: Lori Cavallaro, MSN, RN, CNML

3 East Clinical Nurse Manager, The Miriam Hospital

Photo by Chad Weeden

Explain the role of the team.

The team plays a vital role in delivering 24/7 acute care to stroke patients, individuals with respiratory conditions requiring tracheostomies, and general medical-surgical patients. With a strong commitment to patient safety, the team ensures high-quality outcomes through evidence-based practices and compassionate care. They prioritize patient satisfaction and continuously strive for excellence in clinical performance. Their collaborative approach, expertise and dedication create a supportive environment where patients receive timely, effective care that meets both their medical and emotional needs.

What are some achievements you’re proud of?

The team has shown remarkable growth and strong camaraderie, both professionally and personally. Through dedicated peer and leader coaching, they increased their specialty certification rate by 300 percent, reflecting their commitment to excellence. Their fierce ownership of nursing practice drives positive patient outcomes consistently, and they have a well-earned reputation for protecting patients from hospital-acquired conditions. This collective dedication highlights their skill and passion for delivering the highest quality care.

Tell us about a positive experience with a patient.

Recently, we received heartfelt feedback from a patient who experienced his first hospital stay. The patient’s background was in public service, and he was deeply impressed by the nursing team’s ability to manage complex situations with grace and professionalism. He praised their unwavering kindness and comforting demeanor, noting how consistently they supported patients with compassion. He described his nurse as a “ray of sunshine,” highlighting the lasting impact our team’s dedication and empathy had on his care and overall experience.

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Clinical Nurse Specialist

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Vanessa Hampson, MSN, APRN-CNS, ACCNS-AG

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Women & Infants Hospital Emergency Room

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

After graduating from St. Joseph School of Nursing in 2007, I was eager to obtain a position in the medical ICU at Rhode Island Hospital and secure a spot in its Critical Care Internship program. This experience solidified my love for critical care. I continued my career in acute care at Landmark Medical Center’s ER, where I found I could teach others while working at the bedside, even during the hardest moments. I continued my learning and research in the ER while finishing my MSN toward a clinical nurse specialist. I’m currently using my knowledge and experience at Women & Infants to help the emergency department care for more complex patient populations.

What are the most challenging aspects of the role?

No one truly understands what a CNS is! We are the nurse’s nurse and are an invaluable asset: We fix problems you didn’t know you had. The CNS improves outcomes by providing direct patient care, leading evidence-based practice, optimizing organizational systems and advancing nursing practice.

What is the best part of the job?

I love working within the community I grew up in — making a connection with someone, hearing their stories and remembering their family members; at times feeling like their extended family. We see patients on their worst days, and seeing a familiar face can be comforting during a crisis.

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Nontraditional Setting

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Linda Mendonça, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC,NCSN, FNASN 

Associate Professor, Rhode Island College; School Nurse Consultant, R.I. Department of Health 

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

When I began my practice of school nursing thirty years ago, I knew I had found my niche. The focus of community health promotion/prevention along with disease surveillance, epidemiology and the social determinants of health are all in the realm of a practicing school nurse. Public health takes the upstream approach to health care. Identifying health policy issues and advocating for interventions for positive health outcomes for healthy communities drives my passion.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Serving as president-elect/president of the National Association of School Nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included providing the necessary support to school nurses working in the field as their roles, responsibilities and duties expanded to provide mitigation strategies to effectively and safely reopen schools. As a leader for NASN, I was able to provide guidance and shared resources for school nurses across the country to use in their practice to manage the complexities of the pandemic.

What is the best part of the job? The trajectory of my career has been rewarding.

Nine years ago, I transitioned from providing direct service in schools to sharing my public health field experience with nursing students at the Zvart Onanian School of Nursing at Rhode Island College. Additionally, I started my consulting position at the R.I. Department of Health as a school nurse consultant. The opportunity to share my public health expertise with future nurses and school nurses across the state is most rewarding.

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Academic Setting

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Christine McGrane, Ph.D., RN, CNE, CHSE

Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Rhode Island College of Nursing

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

From the beginning, my path of choice was pediatric nursing. I find joy in working with infants, children and families, and knew it would be my future early on: from babysitting, scooping ice cream and being a summer camp counselor, to taking every chance to float to the newborn nursery as a CNA, becoming a pediatric RN at Yale New Haven Hospital, followed by a career move to Boston Children’s Hospital.

Tell us about a positive experience with a patient.

There’s been many positive experiences in my forty-year nursing career, but there is a child and his parents who, unknowingly, guided my trajectory to where I am today. As a medically complex infant and child, I could “read the room” of parental stress. I began volunteering to go to the child’s home to care for him, allowing his parents to go out for date nights. This positively impacted the well-being of the family and the child.

What are you most proud of in your career?

I often tell students that my career has been serendipitous. I am most proud of my enthusiasm to explore new paths along the way and jump into challenges with the confidence to succeed as a lifelong learner. Obtaining my master’s, teaching and pursuing my Ph.D. was not the original plan, but I couldn’t be happier to be where I am today. 

What makes a successful nursing team?

I always tell students they are never alone; they are always part of a team. They would never leave their colleagues or patients in an unsafe situation and will always chip in to ensure the best possible outcome. The respite program I coordinate is a prime example of faculty and students from multiple nursing programs working together to improve family caregiver sustainability by providing much-needed moments of respite.

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Nurse Leader

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Renee Cacchiotti, MBA, MSN, RN, NE-BC  

Nursing Director – Emergency Services, Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s

What makes a successful nursing team?

Strong communication, psychological safety and genuine teamwork, especially in the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of emergency services. We rely on each other to accomplish our operational goals, starting with frequent huddles, open check-ins/forums and staying grounded in a shared mission, vision and values. Psychological safety is critical: Staffers need to feel comfortable speaking up, asking questions and offering solutions because in the ED, those moments can be the difference between good care and great care. I strive to create that culture of trust where people know they’re supported and their voices matter.

What is the best part of your job?

The people and the projects we complete together. I love rounding and connecting with staff, making sure they feel supported and have the proper tools they need to succeed. I also take pride in being a leader who gets things done. There’s nothing more fulfilling than identifying an opportunity, working with the team to create a solution and seeing it through to the finish line. The most meaningful thing is watching the leaders I’ve mentored grow into their roles.

Was nursing always your career path?

I originally wanted to go to pharmacy school. Nursing is deeply rooted in my family: Both my mother and grandmother are nurses. Watching my mother, a strong nurse leader, pursue advanced degrees, lead successful projects and make a real difference in patient outcomes and staff morale truly inspired me. Some vivid memories of mine include going to the hospital with her on Christmas to deliver cookies to her teams. The joy and connection those small moments created showed me the heart of nursing. 

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Nurse Executive

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Rachael Silvia, MSN, RN-BC

Director of Patient Care Services, Westerly Hospital

What drew you to the nursing field?

Motivated by a deep sense of empathy and the desire to help others, I chose nursing to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives. The profession allows me to blend my passion for science and medicine with the human connection essential to healing. As a bedside nurse, I strove to create a trusting, supportive environment for patients during their most vulnerable moments. Now, I create the same trusting and supporting environment for the nursing staff so that patient care is benefited and prioritized. Nursing is more than a career — it’s a lifelong commitment to compassion and care.

What are you most proud of in your career?

My greatest nursing accomplishment has been my ability to influence the fostering of a positive and collaborative workplace environment. Through consistent communication, team-building initiatives and advocacy for staff well-being, I assisted in creating a culture of respect and support. These efforts have driven high staff morale and retention as well as high-quality patient outcomes. Seeing long-term positive change in both team dynamics and patient satisfaction has been incredibly rewarding and reflects my commitment to creating a healthier, more effective work environment for everyone.

What are the challenging aspects of the role?

Leading in nursing is challenging because it requires balancing clinical responsibilities with team management, navigating complex health care systems and making critical decisions under pressure. Yet it’s incredibly rewarding to inspire and support others, foster professional growth and improve patient outcomes. The ability to influence positive change, build cohesive teams and advocate for both staff and patients makes leadership in nursing a deeply fulfilling role that combines compassion, resilience and vision.

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Clinical Nurse Educator

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Debra Campo, DNP, MBA

Director of Nursing Practice and Professional Development, CharterCare Health Partners

What drew you to the nursing field?

I always wanted to help people and had a passion for health care, so I was naturally drawn to nursing. Nursing has also provided me with strong job security for the last forty-one years. It also afforded me flexibility with scheduling, which complemented my personal life and raising a family.

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it. 

I chose education because I have always loved school, learning and sharing my knowledge with others. Whether it’s mentoring new students or seasoned nurses, teaching gives me the opportunity to improve skills and bring best practice to the bedside, which ultimately improves the quality of patient care. Planning and providing education to staff ensures that they are equipped to provide safe, up-to-date care for their patients. Improving the knowledge and skills of nurses also contributes to a positive work environment.

Was nursing always your career path? 

No, teaching was my goal. My dad was a teacher who influenced my love for teaching. He enjoyed working with underprivileged kids and taught me the importance of not just sharing knowledge, but motivating children to learn, grow and succeed. As I grew and recognized my options and opportunities, I became drawn to nursing because of my desire to help those in need and my passions for science and teaching. Nursing and teaching are the best of both worlds for me.