Florida State University College of Nursing<\/a> celebrated its fourth-annual Nole Nurse Shining Stars Gala on Saturday, April 11,\u00a0held at the Dunlap Champions Club in Doak Campbell Stadium,\u00a0honoring the achievements of alumni, faculty,\u00a0students\u00a0and community partners while recognizing the\u00a0college\u2019s\u00a0continued impact in health care.\u00a0<\/p>\n\u201cThe Shining Stars Gala is a powerful reflection of the strength and legacy of our Nole Nurse community,\u201d said Jing Wang, dean of the FSU College of Nursing. \u201cEach year, we are proud to recognize individuals who exemplify excellence in nursing and who continue to move our mission forward. Their work inspires the next generation of nurses to lead with compassion\u00a0and purpose.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Nole Nurse Shining Stars Gala highlighted achievements across nursing education, practice, leadership,\u00a0research\u00a0and philanthropy, reinforcing the college\u2019s commitment to advancing health care and improving lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The event also celebrated five years of significant momentum for the FSU College of Nursing, marked by significant growth,\u00a0innovation\u00a0and national recognition. In the 2026\u00a0U.S. News & World Report\u00a0rankings, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program climbed seven spots to No. 21 overall and No. 12 among public institutions, while continuing to rank No. 1 among all public and private institutions in Florida.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This progress reflects a broader trajectory of advancement across the college. Over the past year, the College of Nursing secured a historic $10 million gift to expand health care education and innovation in Northwest Florida and has made significant investments in its continued growth, including unveiling a new 5,000-square-foot simulation training lab, launching the nation\u2019s first Master of Science in Nursing program focused on artificial intelligence applications in health care and achieving a 62% increase in faculty over the past\u00a0five\u00a0years, among more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awards presented during the evening included the Distinguished Graduate Award, recognizing alumni for their outstanding contributions to the nursing profession; the Dean\u2019s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing, honoring individuals and organizations whose leadership and partnership advance the college; and the Dean\u2019s 3T Award, celebrating those who give generously of their time, talent and treasure to support the future of nursing education.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Distinguished Graduate Awards:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sara Barber,\u00a0a triple\u00a0alumna\u00a0of the\u00a0FSU\u00a0College of Nursing recognized for more than two decades of dedicated practice and service. A longtime pediatric nurse practitioner in Tallahassee, Barber has also served as an FSU instructor and contributed to the field through published research and textbooks. Her commitment to the community extends beyond clinical care through mentoring students as a clinical preceptor and volunteering with the Tallahassee Memorial Animal Therapy Program.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Angie McDonald, recognized for a 35-year career dedicated to excellence in bedside critical care nursing. Known for combining advanced clinical\u00a0expertise\u00a0with compassionate patient advocacy, McDonald has made a lasting impact both at the bedside and as a mentor to fellow nurses. Her leadership and commitment to her patients,\u00a0colleagues\u00a0and alma mater reflect the enduring influence of frontline nursing care.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Peter Preziosi,\u00a0recognized for a distinguished career marked by global leadership and innovation in health care. A Florida State University\u00a0alumnus, Preziosi has held senior roles with the World Health Organization in Geneva and currently serves as president and CEO of\u00a0TruMerit, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting foreign-educated health care professionals. His work advancing health workforce mobility and driving innovation reflects a lasting impact on health systems worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Toni Sanchez,\u00a0a\u00a0double\u00a0alumna\u00a0of\u00a0FSU, was recognized for a distinguished career defined by leadership,\u00a0service\u00a0and excellence in nursing. A retired U.S. Air Force colonel, Sanchez led a team of 33 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, overseeing more than 200 air evacuation missions for 3,100 wounded service members. She now serves as specialty nurse manager at the VA Tallahassee Outpatient Clinic, where she has played a key role in restoring critical specialty services for local veterans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Martin\u00a0Schiavenato, a triple\u00a0alumnus\u00a0of Florida State University, was recognized for his contributions as a nurse-scientist,\u00a0educator\u00a0and innovator. A former NICU nurse at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, he has become an international leader in nursing research, particularly in neonatal pain, and was named a finalist for the 2024 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award.\u00a0Schiavenato\u00a0continues to mentor the next generation of nurses through his work in academia, digital\u00a0education\u00a0and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence in nursing education.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kyrie Thomas,\u00a0an alumna\u00a0of\u00a0FSU, was recognized for a career defined by transformational leadership and service in health care. With more than 15 years of experience, she has served as chief nursing officer at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, providing strategic leadership for more than 2,300 nursing professionals. Throughout her career, Thomas has led major clinical initiatives, including the development of advanced oncology and neuroscience programs, while fostering a culture of mentorship,\u00a0collaboration\u00a0and excellence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jeann Michael\u00a0Edodoleon, recognized for his commitment to excellence in critical care nursing and his inspiring professional growth. Beginning his career as a volunteer at Baptist Health, he advanced to become a registered nurse in the medical-surgical intensive care unit, where he is known for his strong clinical judgment and calm leadership in high-acuity settings.\u00a0Edodoleon\u00a0is also a dedicated mentor to new nurses and a compassionate patient advocate, exemplifying the integrity and commitment of the nursing profession.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Leslie Webber, recognized for a 25-year career dedicated to pediatric nursing and clinical leadership.\u00a0At Wolfson Children\u2019s Hospital, she advanced from a pediatric ICU staff nurse to nurse director of Children\u2019s Emergency Services, leading key programs including pediatric cardiovascular care, ECMO and trauma services. Known for her integrity and commitment to excellence, Webber has earned honors such as the DAISY Nurse Leader Award, the Great 100 Nurses of Northeast Florida and the FSU Alumni Association\u2019s Grads Made Good award.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dean\u2019s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing:\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation\u00a0was recognized for its longstanding support of the Florida State University College of Nursing. Through its investment, the foundation has helped generations of Nole Nurses complete their degrees and enter the workforce, creating a lasting impact on nursing education and the health care community.\u00a0Since 1993, the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation has provided over $3 million in scholarship support to FSU Nursing students.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dean\u2019s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mark Hillis, a graduate of the\u00a0FSU\u00a0College of Business,\u00a0was\u00a0honored\u00a0for his role\u00a0in\u00a0establishing\u00a0a lasting partnership between the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation and the College of Nursing. During his 33-year career at SunTrust Bank, Hillis connected the foundation to the college, creating opportunities that have supported nursing students for generations.\u00a0A dedicated supporter of Florida State University, Hillis\u2019 commitment to service and philanthropy has helped strengthen the future of the College of Nursing and its students.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dean\u2019s Award for Outstanding Service:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pam Turner,\u00a0recognized for a pioneering career and longstanding service to the nursing profession and the\u00a0FSU\u00a0College of Nursing. She broke barriers in 1977 as the first female firefighter and paramedic for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and went on to lead in pediatric nursing and advance health care quality and safety. Turner has also served as\u00a0adjunct\u00a0faculty at both Florida State University and the University of Florida.\u00a0A former chair of the College of Nursing Advancement Council, Turner has played a key role in guiding the college through periods of growth and transition. Her leadership and philanthropy, including her early commitment to an endowed professorship, reflect a lasting dedication to advancing the mission of the college.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dean\u2019s 3T Award:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Laura Levine, recognized for her exceptional contributions of time,\u00a0talent\u00a0and treasure to the\u00a0FSU\u00a0College of Nursing. Through the establishment of the Laura and Alan Levine Endowed Professorship in Innovation Applications in Nursing, Levine has made a lasting investment in the college\u2019s future, supporting faculty leaders who will advance nursing education and innovation for years to come.\u00a0Levine\u2019s career has spanned hospital and public health settings, including leadership roles as a nursing director and contributions to national public health initiatives. She continues to serve as a bedside nurse and mentor\u00a0in\u00a0the ICU. A dedicated member of the Nole Nurse Advancement Council, Levine\u2019s philanthropy and leadership reflect a deep commitment to strengthening the college and inspiring future generations of nurses.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 2026 Nole Nurse Shining Stars Gala was made possible through the generous support of\u00a0presenting\u00a0sponsor,\u00a0BayCare, garnet sponsors Tallahassee Memorial\u00a0HealthCare\u00a0and\u00a0Mayo Clinic\u00a0in Florida, and dessert reception sponsor Big Bend Hospice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For more information on award nominations and upcoming events, visit nursing.fsu.edu.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"College of Nursing Dean Jing Wang and faculty from the college celebrate at the annual gala. The Florida…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":242912,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[106796,13586,232,234,233],"class_list":{"0":"post-242911","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tallahassee","8":"tag-college-of-nursing","9":"tag-fsu-health","10":"tag-tallahassee","11":"tag-tallahassee-headlines","12":"tag-tallahassee-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=242911"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242911\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/242912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=242911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=242911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=242911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nursing-GalaWeb2.jpg\")
College of Nursing Dean Jing Wang and faculty from the college celebrate at the annual gala. \t\t<\/p>\n