Photos: 2026 Excellence in Nursing Awards

On June 4, area nurses and their friends, family, and colleagues enjoyed a celebratory evening at Missouri Botanical Garden’s Bayer Event Center for the 2026 Excellence in Nursing Awards, presented by BJC HealthCare and Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. The evening featured dinner, recognition of the Perfect Score Award recipients, and a special message from John O’Leary, who was honored with the Hope in Healing Award. Guests also heard a heartfelt keynote address from Katie Lee, founder and owner of Katie’s Pizza & Pasta. Winners were announced at the event and are featured in the June/July issue of St. Louis Magazine.

St. Louis Magazine extends a thank you to the nurses across the region! Read more about the honorees.

Excellence in Nursing Awards at the Bayer Event Center

Moments that Matter Board at the Excellence in Nursing Awards — Guests reflected on how nurses have impacted their lives on the Moments that Matter board, sponsored by WashU Medicine.

Jarrett Medlin speaking at the Excellence in Nursing Awards — St. Louis Magazine's editor-in-chief, Jarrett Medlin, welcomed guests and presented the awards.

Dr. Bernadette Henrichs, Jack Taylor Dean and Professor at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, presented the Perfect Score Award

For the first time, we awarded the Hope in Healing Recognition, presented by Ronald McDonald House St. Louis, to honor an inspiring patient whose journey exemplifies resilience and hope. John O’Leary was the inaugural recipient and shared a special video message that was featured during the event.