For the 17th year in a row, St. Louis Magazine is honoring the remarkable efforts of nurses across the region by hosting the annual Excellence in Nursing Awards, presented by BJC HealthCare and Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. Winners were chosen by a prestigious selection committee and are featured in the June/July issue of SLM. Honorees were celebrated at an awards reception at Missouri Botanical Garden on June 4. Congratulations—and a heartfelt thank you—to all of the honorees!
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ACUTE CARE/FAMILY PRACTICE/GENERAL MEDICINE
Kimberly Foxworth / St. Luke’s Hospital
Since joining St. Luke’s Hospital in late 2024, Foxworth has made a significant impact in a relatively short amount of time. As system chief nursing and quality executive, she’s passionate about giving nurses a voice and ensuring that they have the space and support they need to succeed.
On becoming a leader: “I wanted to be part of the decision-making and have a seat at the table…What better way to make change happen than to start with your leadership path?”
On handling stress: “I have a lot of opportunities for nurses and leaders to talk about how they’re feeling and what resources they need to be successful in their role. I really believe in making sure that nurses feel heard, seen, and respected.”
FINALISTS
Aimee Foehrkolb / Memorial Hospital–Belleville
Michelle Parker / St. Luke’s Hospital
Kristina (Kristi) Schmuck / Memorial Hospital–Belleville
ADMINISTRATION
Angela Clark / Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
Clark’s journey into nursing began in high school, when she cared for her grandmother. That experience shaped her understanding of hands-on care and led to a career that spans education, leadership, and community impact. Today, as president of Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, she fosters mentorship, wellness, and opportunity for future nurses.
On student impact: “When students truly grasp how social factors shape health outcomes, that moment changes the way they approach care for the rest of their careers.”
On nursing’s broader reach: “Knowledge is health. By advancing what our students know, we’re advancing health for entire communities. That multiplier effect is what keeps me going.”
On mentoring: “Find mentors, and say yes to opportunities. That journey—learning, stretching, growing—is where meaningful change happens for you and the patients you serve.”
FINALISTS
Ashley Compton / Missouri Baptist Medical Center
Mindy Harmon / WashU Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center
Sarah Margherio / St. Louis Children’s Hospital
ADVANCED PRACTICE
Abby Bisch / WashU Medicine, Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
Growing up on a farm, Bisch developed an early interest in science. Through a high school program, she shadowed medical professionals and discovered nurse anesthesia. She was drawn to the field’s balance of lifestyle and clinical work. Today, she specializes in obstetric anesthesia and serves as a faculty member.
On how she manages stress: “Thankfully, at WashU, we have a care team model and a ton of resources. So if I need an extra set of hands, I can easily call in someone.”
On advice to new nurses: “Shadow, so you can get a feel of what life looks like. What life looks like in school isn’t similar to how it’s going to be in the actual workforce. When I shadowed a nurse anesthetist and an anesthesiologist, their lifestyles were completely different.”
FINALISTS
Heidi Hunsel / WashU Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center
Jennifer Massoni / WashU Medicine
Brittany Stone / Missouri Baptist Medical Center
Madelyn Wilke / Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
CARDIOVASCULAR
Mary Sullivan / WashU Medicine
When Sullivan was a young girl, she watched her father calmly help someone experiencing a seizure in public. That moment inspired her path into nursing. She went on to work in air medical rescue and ECMO transport and now cares for critically ill patients as an ECMO nurse practitioner.
On how she manages stress: “Counseling, reflecting, and talking about things that happen helps. Palliative care is part of our team, and they check on the nurses, too. The chaplain also checks on our well-being. At the beginning of my career, I didn’t realize how important it is to have your own health, especially mental health.”
On what she loves about the work: “I get to be on cutting-edge medicine. The reasons people go on the ECMO machines are very different, so every patient we meet gets consulted on. Every day is something different.”
FINALISTS
Tonya Becker / WashU Medicine
Kevin Cullinane / St. Luke’s Hospital
Natalee Skelton / Barnes-Jewish Hospital
COMMUNITY CARE/AMBULATORY CARE
Shelby Fanshier / Memorial Hospital–Belleville
Since 2023, Fanshier has approached her role as a POD 1 resource nurse with positivity and presence. Managing five specialties, she draws on more than a decade of experience to provide skilled, adaptable care across a range of clinical needs.
On advice for new nurses: “The OR is scary and difficult. It’s just different nursing than what you’ve ever learned. Give it time. Give it a year, at least, to feel confident in what you’re doing. You’ll find what you love, and you’ll stick with it, and it will all work out.”
On the future of robotics in nursing: “I think from the time now to the time that I’m going to retire, it’s going to be a completely different world. I think it makes health care easier in a way…and helps people with cancers and other issues that we haven’t been able to do before. I’m excited for it.”
FINALISTS
Traci DeBeir / St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Alicia Stevens / Memorial Hospital–Belleville
EDUCATOR
Lihua Yu / Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
Yu’s nominations highlight her compassion, dedication, and commitment to both her students and her community. Whether assisting strangers in emergencies or mentoring students in the classroom, she demonstrates how nursing extends far beyond clinical settings.
On a moment that has stayed with her: “When I was an ICU nurse caring for an elderly patient with lung cancer, I held their hand as they took their last breath. At that moment, I felt like I was their family. Years later, when my father passed away in China during the pandemic and I couldn’t be there, I hoped that a nurse held his hand the same way.”
On advice to students: “Never stop asking questions. Keep learning nursing knowledge and practicing skills. Confidence comes with experience. And take care of yourself. Nursing can be emotionally and physically demanding, so self-care is essential if you want to care well for others.”
FINALISTS
Shellie Hill / Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing
Sarah Oerther / Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Kassey Kenner / Missouri Baptist Medical Center
Kenner was drawn to nursing after witnessing the care her grandmother received following a stroke. She now thrives in the fast-paced emergency department, where she combines clinical skill with empathy. As assistant nurse manager, she supports both patients and staff through even the most challenging situations.
On resilience: “I try my best not to let things that are out of my control affect me. I can’t control when people call in or when the waiting room is full, so I embrace it and focus on what I can do.”
On work-life balance: “Hearing my kids’ voices at the end of the day—‘Hi Mom, I love you’—it just melts away the stress. That’s what keeps me grounded.”
FINALISTS
Courtney Leinberger / Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital
Joyce Muskopf / Memorial Hospital–Belleville
EMERGING LEADERS
Caitlynn Kramer / BJC Corporate Health Services
Kramer first considered a career in theater before following in her father’s footsteps and going into nursing. She began in forensics, working closely with patients in highly sensitive, often traumatic situations. Today, she mentors nurses across multiple hospitals while emphasizing individualized, trauma-informed care.
On coping with difficult shifts: “One of the biggest challenges is secondary trauma. We hear patients’ stories over and over, and it’s easy to internalize. I started vicarious trauma sessions for our nurses to process what’s hard and learn coping strategies like nature walks, journaling, and nutrition to help nurses care for themselves so they can care for others.”
On patient care: “My patients are my people. I really love our patients, and it shows in everything we do. Being present, listening, and giving individualized care makes all the difference.”
On the nursing community: “Nurses lean on each other, sharing ideas, confirming next steps, and supporting each other’s strengths.”
FINALISTS
Abbagail (Abby) Olmstead / Memorial Hospital–Belleville
HOSPICE/HOME HEALTH/PALLIATIVE CARE
Carlita Vasser / At Home Care
This year marks 15 years for At Home Care, where Vasser is its founder, director, and CEO. What began as the natural next step in her lifelong career of service has expanded to four offices across Missouri, serving all kinds of communities.
On hope for the profession: “What I’ve been witnessing, especially in home care, is that we have the capability of being stronger community advocates by the fact that we are being very intentional in connecting…I’ve seen other spaces of health care, encompassing nursing to the table, where we weren’t always at the table before.”
On what it takes to be a nurse: “I honestly believe every nurse is a servant leader. They don’t go into this to be rich. You are doing it because this is your calling. You’re passionate about it, because once a nurse, you’re always a nurse.”
FINALISTS
Abigail Bettlach / Missouri Baptist Medical Center
Emily Daut / St. Louis Children’s Hospital
INTENSIVE CARE
Kimberly Danchus / Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Danchus didn’t originally plan on becoming a nurse. In college, she was considering going into sports medicine until a family she babysat for introduced her to the profession. Over three decades, she has built a career in emergency and critical care, drawn to the fast pace and the opportunity to guide patients through life-changing moments.
On professional growth: “The biggest thing is never forgetting the journey. It took you to get where you are today. And don’t ever be afraid to ask questions. Speak up.”
On teamwork in health care: “Teamwork is what helps you have better patient outcomes. I try to get to know every layer of the team—housekeepers, pharmacy techs, transporters—because everyone plays a role in patient care.”
Advice for new nurses: “Something you do could impact a patient or family for the rest of their lives. Ask yourself,If this were my family member, is this how I would expect their care to look and feel?”
FINALISTS
Kathryn Johns / St. Luke’s Hospital
Caitlin Thornhill / St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Kayla Parmentier / St. Louis Children’s Hospital
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
Lisa Gabriele / WashU Medicine
Gabriele knew she wanted to be a nurse from a young age, and through years of volunteering and training, she built a career in medical-surgical nursing. After raising her children at home, she returned to the field and now works in plastic surgery, supporting reconstructive care.
On the challenges of being a nurse: “The biggest learning curve was coming back into nursing after having children and trying to balance work and family. I love my career, but I love being a stay-at-home mom.”
On advice for new nurses: “You’re not going to learn everything in nursing school. You’re going to learn a lot on the job, so be kind to yourself.”
FINALISTS
Jill Bryant / Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
Kathleen (Katie) Hickey / WashU Medicine
Rinku Patel / Memorial Hospital–Belleville
NEUROLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Anne Wagner / WashU Medicine
Although her mother initially cautioned her against going into nursing, Wagner was inspired by the compassion nurses gave to her loved ones. She’s since had a career in pediatrics, where she’s focused on building meaningful, lasting connections with families.
On what she loves about the work after more than a quarter century: “The families. I get Christmas cards and little everyday notes. The first time meeting families in person is just amazing.… It’s the connection with families that I love.”
On what she’d change about the industry: “Insurance. If a doctor wants a certain medicine or a certain infusion, insurance approves it. There’s a reason why we want that medicine. We’re not just going to prescribe medicine. We have research, and it’s sad that some of these kids don’t get the best medication for them because it’s not on their formulary list.”
FINALISTS
Tigre’ Wiley / Barnes-Jewish Hospital
ONCOLOGY
Sanita Burgic / WashU Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center
Burgic began her oncology career shortly before her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although she was initially unsure whether she could handle oncology’s emotional weight, the experience has deepened her passion for supporting patients and families.
On supporting her patients: “I gather any resources I can to share with patients to make their journey a little easier and to improve their quality of life. Having this group allows us to have relaxed time to explore topics deeper beyond clinic walls. It’s been very rewarding.”
On what she loves about the work: “Oncology is challenging but also such a meaningful area of medicine. I love that science is evolving and that we’re seeing more options for patients.”
FINALISTS
Jennifer Myers / WashU Medicine
ORTHOPEDICS
Jenny Gores / WashU Medicine
Gores first studied political science and worked as a unit secretary before becoming a lawyer. She later transitioned into nursing, where she now focuses on patient safety and quality improvement—areas that draw from the experience she’s gained in her previous careers.
On the job’s challenges: “Health care is a challenging field. I’m always trying to think of ways we can improve things and address quality of care gaps. If we had unlimited resources, it would be amazing.”
Advice for new nurses: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Have the confidence in yourself to be able to admit that you don’t know something and know that it’s OK.”
FINALISTS
Betsy Webb / WashU Medicine
PEDIATRICS: NEONATAL
Ivy Hepler / St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Hepler’s path to nursing began in high school through science classes and volunteer work. She found her calling in the NICU, where she supports premature and critically ill infants and their families.
On teamwork: “Mentorship is something that is very, very important to me, and so finding the people, building the strong relationships within your team that can help you through the tough days where the change feels very hard, has been central to my career.”
On patient care: “Sometimes it’s not the things that you’re doing, but it’s simply being there, listening, allowing a space where families can express themselves. If you genuinely show that you care, families know that you’re there for them and for their baby.”
FINALISTS
Cara Lekar / St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Emily Morton / St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Ashley Wiedau / St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Lisa Winschel / St. Luke’s Hospital
PEDIATRICS: NON-NEONATAL
Lynne Sekarski / SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
Sekarski is a dedicated hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) coordinator and lifelong learner. She’s spent decades researching and expanding knowledge of this rare disease while supporting patients and their families.
On helping patients navigate HHT: “I love teaching them and helping them get through this disease. It’s so rare, scary, and uncertain, especially for the parents. We have treatments and treat kids, who grow up to be adults.… This is a lifelong disease.”
On the importance of mentors: “I am just so grateful to have been mentored and supported in all the nursing roles I have had. I am still in touch with my very first preceptor at Arkansas Children’s 40 years later…. When I say nurses stay together, we do.”
FINALISTS
Kimberly Hayes / WashU Medicine
Jodi Holloway / WashU Medicine
Cheryl Wuellner / St. Louis Children’s Hospital
RESEARCH
Heidi Holtz / Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
Holtz has focused her career on studying nurse well-being, including trauma, burnout, and resilience in critical-care settings. Her work has led to programs that support nurses while strengthening patient care. “Caring for nurses’ well-being isn’t just research for her,” notes a colleague. “It’s personal and actionable.”
On what her research captures: “A lot of my work is interviewing nurses and telling their stories. They’re hoping something will help, but it’s also therapeutic for them to have someone listen and understand what they’re going through.”
On advice to new nurses: “Be curious, ask questions, protect yourself, and develop boundaries. And give yourself grace, because it’s really hard when you’re starting out, and you’re still learning.”
On what sustains her in nursing and research: “I always come back to one patient—how you helped them, how their family made you feel. That’s what stays with you and keeps you going.”
FINALISTS
Sharon Heuerman / WashU Medicine
Jaime Woods / WashU Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Karen Graham / Mercy Hospital St. Louis
Graham has transformed her labor and delivery experience into a leadership role as coordinator of Mercy’s Fetal Care Team. Since 2012, she’s helped grow the program, which supports complex pregnancies.
On the health care community: “We each have our own strengths…I couldn’t do my job without the people I work with, the other coordinators, the maternal fetal medicine doctors and the sonographers.”
On positively impacting the lives of others: “[Patients] will say, ‘Do you remember me? I’m so glad to see you. You helped us so much.’ That is just the most gratifying day ever. I get more back than I was ever able to give.… I’m always going to be part of that story, and that is really special.”
FINALISTS
Rosario Russell / Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Sarah Smith / WashU Medicine
Congratulations to all of the honorees—and thank you to nurses across the region!
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