At each year’s Cardiovascular Nursing Symposium, PCNA recognizes individuals and institutions for their significant contributions to cardiovascular nursing and cardiovascular disease prevention and management. We are honored to celebrate healthcare providers by acknowledging their many accomplishments. Each award winner is recognized below with their photo and biography.

Fellowship

Fellowship with the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association provides a means to recognize and award excellence in leadership within and volunteer service to the organization.

We inducted eleven new fellows this year. The designation of Fellow of PCNA (FPCNA) reflects not only the professional stature of the Fellow but also their record of valuable service to our organization. The class of 2026 fellows includes: 

Terry Thomas Clinical Practice Award

The Terry Thomas Clinical Practice Award recognizes and encourages excellence in the clinical practice of cardiovascular prevention. The 2026 winner is Jonathan David, MSN, RN, EBP-C, CCRP, NE-BC, FPCNA, FAACVPR, FACC, Clinical Nurse IV for inpatient cardiac rehabilitation at Stanford Health Care. His work focuses on advancing evidence-based, patient-centered care and strengthening the integration of hospital and community services. In the last decade, he has contributed significantly to standards of care by improving the electronic medical record flow and function for cardiac rehabilitation care delivery process. Jonathan serves as Chair of the PCNA Project Development and Review Committee and has contributed his expertise on multiple educational projects. He continues to volunteer in leadership roles across local, state, national, and international cardiovascular organizations. Jonathan exemplifies excellence in patient-centered cardiovascular health care.

Heart Failure Prevention Award

The Heart Failure Prevention Award recognizes a nurse who has demonstrated an innovative, successful model of primary or secondary preventive care for patients with heart failure. Natalie W. Pierson, MSN, RN, NC-BC, FHFSA, FPCNA, is PCNA’s 2026 winner. Natalie is Senior Clinical Manager for the Ambulatory Heart Failure Practice at the Heart and Vascular Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She is dedicated to advancing cardiovascular health across clinical and community settings, with a focus on prevention, health equity, and addressing social determinants of health. Natalie has offered years of expertise in Heart Failure prevention to PCNA through speaking services, development and delivery of educational projects, and fostering connections with partnership organizations. Her clinical excellence, leadership in community-based prevention, and demonstrated commitment to addressing social determinants of health make her invaluable with advancing the mission of PCNA.

Advocacy Award for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

The Advocacy Award commends a member’s leadership in advocacy for cardiovascular disease prevention or the advancement of the nursing profession. Our 2026 winner is Jauna Royal, DNP, FNP-C, APRN, FPCNA, Assistant Teaching Professor and the Nurse Practitioner Practicum/Preceptor Liaison for the University of Tampa. In this role, she shares her love of cardiac prevention with nursing students. Dr. Royal serves on PCNA’s Advocacy Committee and has been an active leader in the West Florida PCNA Chapter. Dr. Royal has been a PCNA guest lecturer and has spoken to multiple community organizations on several topics, including hypertension, women and heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Through her roles as an educator, community lecturer, published researcher, and organizer of community cardiac screenings, she has expanded awareness, early detection, and prevention of heart disease in underserved communities. 

Institutional Award for Excellence in Promoting Cardiovascular Care

The Institutional Award for Excellence in Promoting Cardiovascular Care recognizes health care and academic institutions that promote cardiovascular nursing leadership and practice. The Mayo Clinic Enterprise Core Competencies Program and Mayo Clinic Arizona are being honored as the 2026 winners. 

The Mayo Clinic Enterprise, located in Rochester, Minnesota; Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida, has led the nation on the clinical implementation of the 2020 ACC Core Competencies for Nurse Practitioners and Physicians Assistants in Cardiovascular Medicine (JACC). These competencies and associated learning objectives were developed into an online core competency course, now awarding over 30 CME credits. All NPs and PAs at Mayo Clinic complete this course as part of their orientation at Mayo Clinic and has broadened its impact by making this structured curriculum available to external individuals and institutions, elevating the quality and consistency of cardiovascular care delivery well beyond its own system. 

The Department of Nursing at Mayo Clinic Arizona has a vision to drive transformative change in healthcare by championing a person-centered culture, reshaping nursing practice and setting the global standard for nursing excellence. To fulfill these priorities, there is a focus on investment in staff through education, training and fostering belonging and well-being. There is ongoing support for nursing to transform patient care for the future, amplifying the three-shield (patient care, research, education) by engaging staff in professional organizations and opportunities.

Award Winners

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 2026 award winners and fellows!

Nicole Crossley, PhD, RN, RDN, LD, FPCNA

Dr. Nicole Crossley is an Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing. Her research focuses on preventing cardiometabolic disease in women through perinatal and preconception interventions across the lifespan, integrating nursing and nutrition science to promote generational cardiovascular health and reduce disparities through community-engaged, evidence-based approaches. An active member of PCNA, Dr. Crossley has served as an Oklahoma Chapter Leader since 2022, organizing educational programming and expanding statewide engagement. She has contributed to PCNA’s educational initiatives through continuing education presentations, certificate content review, and authorship of professional resources related to maternal and cardiovascular health.

Isabella Cuenco, MSN, RN, CV-BC, FPCNA

Isabella Cuenco, MSN, RN, CV-BC, FPCNA, is a Clinical Nurse at the Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease (SCICD). Guided by a desire to support patients beyond the bedside, she joined SCICD in 2023, where she discovered a deep passion for nurse-driven work at the intersection of genetic and preventive cardiology. Isabella created and implemented a nurse-led workflow for novel cardiac myosin inhibitors for patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and presented the initiative as a poster at the 2024 PCNA Symposium. She has also shared this work through participation in the American Heart Association HCM Collaborative Expert Panel and contributed to a publication in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. Her preventive cardiology focus extends to cardiometabolic risk reduction, to co-develop nurse-led management of GLP-1 receptor agonists. As one of the lead nurses in SCICD, Isabella mentors peers and serves as a liaison across the wider cardiovascular health department. She earned cardiovascular nursing certification (CV-BC) in early 2025 and continues to strive for excellence in communication, health equity, and professional growth. Her work exemplifies PCNA’s mission to prevent cardiovascular disease through nursing leadership, education, and evidence-based practice.

Jonathan David, MSN, RN, EBP-C, CCRP, NE-BC, FPCNA, FAACVPR, FACC

Jonathan David, MSN, RN, EBP-C, CCRP, NE-BC, FPCNA, FAACVPR, FACC, is a Clinical Nurse IV for inpatient cardiac rehabilitation at Stanford Health Care. His work focuses on advancing evidence-based, patient-centered care and strengthening the integration of hospital and community services. His leadership in implementing the Cardiac Rehabilitation Outpatient Paperless Electronic Referral initiative and the Nurse-led Cardiac Rehabilitation Referral Communication System has transformed access to rehabilitation services, ensuring timely, evidence-based care for patients and families. In the last decade, he has contributed significantly to standards of care improving the electronic medical record flow and function for cardiac rehabilitation care delivery process. Since 2021, he has also led a group for Consensus Development to standardize cardiac rehabilitation referral elements through community-based participation. In addition, he engages with federal legislative offices on initiatives to improve cardiovascular care and expand nationwide access to cardiac rehabilitation services. Jonathan serves as Chair of the PCNA Project Development and Review Committee and has contributed his valuable expertise on multiple educational projects. He continues to volunteer in leadership roles across local, state, national, and international cardiovascular organizations. 

Jennifer Drummonds, DNP, CRNP, ANP-BC, FPCNA

With nearly three decades of nursing experience and over 16 years devoted to cardiovascular care, Jennifer Drummonds, DNP, CRNP, ANP-BC, FPCNA, brings both depth of clinical practice and a strong commitment to advancing cardiovascular health in her community. She currently serves as a Nurse Practitioner in cardiology within her faculty practice at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing and as faculty in the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track, where she integrates patient care with teaching and mentoring the next generation of advanced practice nurses. Practicing in her hometown adds a meaningful dimension to Jennifer’s work, allowing her to directly impact the health of the community she knows best. 

Sandra Klafter, BSN, RN, CV-BC, FPCNA

Sandra “Sandy” Klafter, BSN, RN, CV-BC, FPCNA, is a Registered Nurse who has an extensive career in various nursing roles, focusing on cardiovascular disease and treatment. Since 2007 she has worked in the Cardiac Imaging department. Sandy actively supports ongoing learning as a preceptor for newly hired nurses in her department. Additionally, she has been involved in quality improvement projects and has achieved status as a Silver Quality Fellow status. She is a member of the Professional Practice and Quality Subcommittee and consistently supports her department, the role of nursing and strives to take on new challenges and opportunities. Sandy has been an active member of PCNA and is a local chapter ambassador, in addition to being a member of the American Nurses Association. She regularly attends the Arizona Learning Events and PCNA Annual Symposium. As a member of the planning committee, she assists with brainstorming topics and potential speakers, coordinating activities on the day of the event, and engaging with attendees. On the day of the event, Sandy consistently arrives early, streamlines the set-up process, and helps ensure the event’s success. She has been a constant support and advocate to get others involved in PCNA and encourages professional development opportunities.

Jessica Lamar, BSN-RN, CHFN, CV-BC, FPCNA

Jessica Lamar, BSN-RN, CHFN, CV-BC, FPCNA, is a dedicated cardiovascular nurse with over 15 years of experience in patient care, quality improvement, and leadership. She began her career at Frye Regional Medical Center, where she served in multiple leadership roles including Heart Failure Coordinator, COPD/Pneumonia Coordinator, Stroke Coordinator, Ethics Program Chair, and Health Equity & Diversity Coordinator. In these roles, she developed and implemented evidence-based programs that improved patient outcomes, reduced readmissions, and advanced health equity within the community. Jessica has presented work nationally at conferences including the Duke Heart Network Cardiac Symposium, the Duke Health Quality & Safety Conference, and the PCNA symposium. She has also published in Annals of Case Reports and served on advisory panels for the American Heart Association and Milestone Pharmaceuticals. Currently, she serves as Lead RN Care Coordinator with Kouper Health and Chair of the Patient Steering Committee for Milestone Pharmaceuticals. As a Certified Heart Failure Nurse (CHFN) and Cardiovascular Nurse–Board Certified (CV-BC), Jessica remains committed to advancing cardiovascular health, promoting equitable care, and supporting the mission of the PCNA through education and patient-centered innovation.

Anthony McGuire, PhD, ACNP-BC, ACNPC, FAHA, FPCNA

Anthony McGuire, PhD, ACNP-BC, ACNPC, FAHA is an Associate Professor and Interim Associate Dean of Graduate Programs at the University of South Florida College of Nursing, where he leads the graduate-level programs. Dr. McGuire earned his PhD in Nursing from UCLA, focusing on depression screening in ACS patients. He has over 30 peer-reviewed publications and over 40 presentations at the local, regional, and national level. He was an invited speaker at the Spring CE event for the Central Florida Chapter of PCNA. Dr. McGuire is a Fellow of the American Heart Association and serves on multiple national committees, including the AHA CVSN nominating committee and the AACN Advanced Practice Institute symposium planning committee. He is the current Chair of the Continuing Education Committee for PCNA and serves as membership leader for the Central Florida Chapter. He has received numerous honors, including the Daisy Award nomination and Distinguished Alumni recognition from UCLA. Committed to service, he volunteers in cardiac screening for youth, and mentors emerging nurse leaders. His work integrates clinical excellence, academic rigor, and community engagement to advance cardiovascular health and nursing education. He has a continued commitment to the prevention and treatment of those with heart disease.

Kate Nilges, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FPCNA

As Founder and President of the Southeast Minnesota Heartland Chapter since 2019, Kate Nilges, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FPCNA, has demonstrated exceptional initiative and leadership in expanding PCNA’s reach and engagement at the regional level. She has organized educational events, fostered collaboration among nurses and advanced practice providers, and built partnerships that promote evidence-based prevention strategies in practice. Under her leadership, the chapter has maintained active participation and created meaningful opportunities for professional growth and networking within the cardiovascular community. At Mayo Clinic, Kate has consistently modeled clinical excellence and teamwork within the Cardiovascular Department, initially as a Registered Nurse and now as a Nurse Practitioner in their inpatient Cardiology practice. Her passion for patient education, prevention, and quality care aligns seamlessly with PCNA’s mission. She serves as a trusted colleague and mentor, encouraging others to engage in professional organizations and share best practices in preventive cardiology. 

James Norton, BSN, RN, FPCNA

James Norton, BSN, RN, FPCNA, is a Nurse Coordinator at Stanford Health Care’s Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease. He leads nurse-driven and physician-collaborative clinics for families with inherited cardiomyopathies, with a deep commitment to genetic cardiology and proactive, preventive care models. James began his career in New York City emergency medicine and later practiced in Stanford’s Cardiovascular ICU, where he developed expertise in clinician education and systems thinking. His dual training in psychology and nursing informs a high-touch, family-centered approach grounded in behavior change and clear communication. He guides patients to weave nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress physiology into lasting cardiovascular wellness. As an avid athlete, gardener, and home cook, he brings a personal passion for sustainable lifestyle change to his clinical practice. Driven by a hacker-hearted mindset, James seeks to improve the systems that drive patient care. He bridges human factors with technology to deliver safer, faster, and more compassionate experiences for families navigating complex diagnoses. James serves as the Northern California Chapter Lead for PCNA and sits on the PCNA Communications Committee. 

Brenda Owusu, DNP, AAPRN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, FPCNA

Brenda Owusu, DNP, AAPRN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, is an Associate Professor at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies and a Nurse Practitioner with experience across acute care, primary care, and long-term care settings. Dr. Owusu’s scholarship emphasizes community-engaged and nurse-led approaches for cardiovascular risk reduction, particularly among older adults, Black communities, and immigrant populations. Her work integrates lifestyle medicine, patient education, and digital health strategies to enhance prevention, self-management, and equitable access to care. Dr. Owusu serves on the PCNA Communications Committee and contributes to the organization’s educational and scholarly mission. She has authored and co-authored multiple PCNA publications, including serving as a co-author for Progress in Prevention article published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. She is also a co-author of the recently published PCNA White Paper, Community-Engaged Research for Cardiovascular Nurses. Dr. Owusu is a long-standing member of the PCNA Central Florida chapter and has actively participated in the chapter’s Spring and Fall Learning events and the Annual Symposium. Through scholarship, service, and mentorship, Dr. Owusu remains dedicated to advancing learning for cardiovascular nurses as leaders in prevention, research, and community impact.

Natalie W. Pierson, MSN, RN, NC-BC, FHFSA, FPCNA

Natalie W. Pierson, MSN, RN, NC-BC, FHFSA, FPCNA, is Senior Clinical Manager for the Ambulatory Heart Failure Practice at the Heart and Vascular Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She is dedicated to advancing cardiovascular health across clinical and community settings, with a particular focus on prevention, health equity, and addressing social determinants of health. Ms. Pierson holds a Master’s degree in Community Systems Administration and has led numerous community-based initiatives focused on cardiovascular disease prevention, lifestyle modification, and nurse-community navigation. A Board-Certified Nurse Coach, she empowers patients to achieve sustainable health changes while mentoring nurses in leadership and career development. Her dedication to patient care and passion for community service have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Heart Failure Society of America’s 2018 National Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award, the American Heart Association’s Philadelphia Heart Champion Award, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania’s Nursing Clinical Excellence Award. Her research interests center on community-based hypertension prevention and strengthening partnerships between healthcare systems and the communities they serve.

Jauna Royal, DNP, FNP-C, APRN, FPCNA

Jauna Royal, DNP, FNP-C, APRN, FPCNA, was a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner for Atlanta Heart Associates for 11 years. During that time, she also volunteered with the Hands of Hope Clinic, managing general cardiology for her county’s indigent, low-income, and no-income patient population. She currently works in Primary care in St. Petersburg, Florida. She has been a PCNA member since 2006 and served as a PCNA Atlanta Chapter Leader. She also serves on PCNA’s Advocacy Committee. Dr. Royal is an Assistant Teaching Professor and the Nurse Practitioner Practicum/Preceptor Liaison for the University of Tampa. In this role, she continues to share her love of cardiac prevention with nursing students. She has also been an active leader in the West Florida PCNA Chapter, which began in 2019. Dr. Royal has been an American Heart Association and PCNA guest lecturer and has spoken to multiple community organizations on multiple topics, including hypertension, women and heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. In 2011, she was also published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing and did a poster presentation on Community Cardiac Screening and Education at the PCNA Annual Symposium.

Tiffany Staab, APRN, MSN, RN, FNP, BSN, FPCNA

Tiffany Staab, APRN, MSN, RN, FNP, BSN, FPCNA, is a Nurse Practitioner who has dedicated her career to the care of cardiovascular patients. She has worked both as a nurse on the inpatient cardiac progressive care unit and as a nurse practitioner has supported predominately outpatient cardiology practice over the last 5 years. Her professional interests include comprehensive and preventive cardiology, vascular medicine, and aortopathies. Tiffany actively supports ongoing education serving as a preceptor to NP students, Cardiology NP and PA fellows, new employees, and colleagues. She is frequently recognized for her collaboration and exemplary patient care. Additionally, she contributed to the implementation and roll out of NPPAs supervising stress testing at her institution. Tiffany is an engaged member of PCNA, regularly participating in the Arizona Chapter Learning Events and the PCNA Annual Symposium. In 2022, she presented at the Arizona Chapter Fall Learning Event on the Management of Venous Thrombosis and Anticoagulation Treatment. At the Annual Symposium in 2025 she led a break-out session titled “Peripheral Arterial Disease: An Epidemic of Poverty and Race.” She is a strong advocate for ongoing professional development among nurses and nurse practitioners.

 

Published on

April 10, 2026

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