FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DNPs of Color Announces 2026 Award Honorees and Establishment of New Namesake Awards
DETROIT, Mich. — October 1, 2026 — DNPs of Color, Inc. (DOCs) is proud to announce its 2026 award honorees and the establishment of a new collection of namesake awards designed to preserve the legacies of nurse leaders whose contributions reflect the values, mission, and future of the organization. “As DNPs of Color continues to grow, we have a responsibility not only to recognize excellence, but also to preserve the stories and legacies of the leaders who helped make our collective progress possible,” said Danielle K. McCamey, DNP, CRNP, ACNP-BC, FCCP, FAAN, FADLN, FAANP, Founder, CEO & President of DNPs of Color, Inc.
2026 DNPs of Color Award Honorees
McCamey-DeWitty Founders Lifetime Achievement & Distinguished Service Award
Ethlyn McQueen-Gibson, DNP, MSN, RN-BC
The McCamey-DeWitty Founders Lifetime Achievement & Distinguished Service Award is one of DNPs of Color’s highest honors. Named in recognition of the organization’s founding legacy, the award honors an individual whose career demonstrates sustained excellence, distinguished service, significant contributions to nursing, and an enduring commitment to creating opportunities for generations of nurses who follow. Dr. McQueen-Gibson has been selected as the 2026 recipient in recognition of a career and legacy that exemplify these ideals.
Outstanding Mentor Award
Sandy Phan, DNP, RN, NPDA-BC, NPD-BC, EBP-CH, FADLN
Emerging Leader Award
Cyril Davis, DNP, PMHNP-BC
DNPs of Color Announces New Namesake Awards
Beginning a new chapter in the organization’s history, DNPs of Color will formally establish a collection of namesake awards honoring leaders whose careers embody the values the organization seeks to carry forward. The namesake pairings brings together leaders whose careers represent complementary dimensions of nursing excellence. Several pairings also intentionally unite DNP- and PhD-prepared nurse leaders, reflecting DNPs of Color’s belief that the future of nursing is strengthened when practice expertise and research scholarship inform one another. The new namesake awards are:
Alleyne–LaMandre Excellence in Clinical Practice Award
Named for Dr. Dwayne Alleyne and Dr. Efrat LaMandre, representing complementary dimensions of clinical excellence through compassion and innovation.
Blue–Valdez Health Equity Leadership Award
Named for Dr. Marshall H. Blue Sr. and Dr. Anna Maria Valdez, representing health equity leadership through action and evidence, leadership and scholarship.
Williams–Roman Emerging Leader Award
Named for Dr. Michael Williams and Dr. Roberto Roman, representing emerging leadership grounded in service and vision.
Linton–Melhado Outstanding Care Beyond Cure Leadership Award
Named for Dr. Janice Linton and Dr. Lolita Melhado, honoring the foundation and enduring vision of Care Beyond Cure Palliative Care Program and leadership that advances compassionate, person-centered serious illness care.
Moore–Webb Care Beyond Cure Advocacy Award
Named for Ottamissiah “Missy” Moore and Dr. Michelle Webb, representing advocacy through systems and humanity and a commitment to equitable, compassionate serious illness and palliative care.
The namesake awards will be formally introduced during the 2026 DNPs of Color Annual Conference. DOCs will subsequently develop the legacy profiles, selection criteria, and nomination processes in preparation for recognizing the inaugural class of namesake award recipients in 2027.
2026 DAISY Honorees
Through its collaboration with The DAISY Foundation, DNPs of Color is also proud to recognize two nurses whose contributions exemplify extraordinary nursing leadership and a commitment to advancing health equity.
The DAISY Award for Nurses Advancing Health Equity
Yvette Conyers, DNP, RN, FNP-C, CTN-B, CFCN, CFCS, CNE, FADLN, CWCN-AP, FNAP
The DAISY Nurse Leader Award
Sherla Farrell-Sealey, DNP, CRNP, CWS
The 2026 award honorees will be formally celebrated during the Allen-Mahoney Gala of the Future, one of the signature events of the 6th Annual DNPs of Color Conference that will take place October 15–18, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan at the Charles H. Wright Museum.
The national conference brings together nurses, students, clinicians, scholars, educators, executives, innovators, and partners for education, professional development, networking, collaboration, and celebration.
Media Contact
DNPs of Color, Inc.
Communications Team
marcom@dnpsofcolor.org
