Celebrating Excellence: Recognizing Our 2025 PNCB Award & Scholarship Recipients!
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) is thrilled to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent, dedication, and compassion within the pediatric nursing community. We invite you to join us in celebrating the outstanding achievements of our 2025 award and scholarship recipients.
From seasoned professionals making significant impacts on patient care and the profession, to aspiring nurses embarking on their journey to care for our youngest patients, PNCB recognizes individuals committed to excellence, continuous learning, and innovation in children's health.
Meet Our 2025 Award Recipients
Each year, the PNCB recognizes certified pediatric nurses who demonstrate exemplary leadership, innovation, and a profound commitment to advancing pediatric nursing practice. Learn more about their inspiring work and contributions to the field.
Kelly Reed Advanced Practice Community Impact Award
Each year, the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board recognizes a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP) or Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) who extends the reach of their role beyond regular practice activities with the Kelly Reed Advanced Practice Community Impact Award. This award honors former PNCB board member Kelly Reed, MN, RN, CPNP-PC who passed away in 2013. Kelly demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the community in which she served.
Rosie Zeno, DNP, CPNP-PC, APRN, CPN is an Associate Clinical Professor and the Assistant Dean of APRN and Masters Education at The Ohio State University College of Nursing. An esteemed pediatric clinician and nurse educator, Dr. Zeno is committed to advancing community-based pediatric healthcare and expanding access for underserved populations. As a pediatric nurse practitioner, she has led a transformative, long-term partnership with Head Start of Columbus, improving healthcare access for medically underserved children. This initiative not only provides essential early childhood education and healthcare services but also offers invaluable hands-on learning experiences for future nurse practitioners. Dr. Zeno’s leadership in interprofessional, competency-based education is reflected in her active involvement in various appointed and elected roles within leading professional organizations. Her scholarly work focuses on evidence-based clinical education and strategies to improve health outcomes for pediatric populations in marginalized communities.
CPN Certification Advocate Award
Each year, PNCB's CPN Certification Advocate Award recognizes a Certified Pediatric Nurse who is an outstanding advocate for certification at the local, hospital, regional, or national level. Recipients demonstrate excellence in promoting certification as well as other areas of pediatric nursing, such as clinical skills, family-centered care, implementing evidence-based practice, or mentoring.
Kelly Tevlin, MSN, RN, CPN, SSM is a pediatric nurse and clinical educator with over 15 years of experience dedicated to pediatric nursing practice. She currently serves as the Service Line Lead for the Pediatric Clinical Education Team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Kelly began her nursing career on the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) at Cardinal Glennon, where she discovered her love for teaching and mentoring new nurses. This passion led her to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL), which she earned in 2010.
Throughout her career, Kelly has served as a clinical instructor for multiple colleges and is currently the clinical educator for several hospital units. In her current leadership position, she oversees the onboarding and continued education of new nurses, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide exceptional pediatric care.
Kelly is known for her commitment to promoting a supportive learning environment that empowers nurses to grow professionally and deliver high-quality care. With the help of Kelly’s monthly CPN review topics and resources, TCU now has a 57% certification rate—the highest in the entire organization!
"You Belong" DEIB in Action Award
PNCB's "You Belong" DEIB in Action Award. This team-based award recognizes an employer, unit, or department that demonstrates an outstanding culture and commitment to the pediatric nursing profession through programs such as recruitment efforts and professional development support.
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at UF Health Shands Children's Hospital is a diverse, inclusive team dedicated to providing exceptional care to critically ill children. Their multidisciplinary team, including pediatric nurses and nurse practitioners, pediatric intensivists, nurses, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, and child life specialists, is united in a shared commitment to equity, respect, and inclusion. They strive to create an environment where all patients and families feel welcomed, heard, and supported. Their team emphasizes cultural competency, ensuring that each child receives personalized care based on their unique needs and backgrounds. Through ongoing training in diversity and inclusion, they foster an environment where every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute.
At UF Health Shands, their focus on diversity, equity, and belonging drives their commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care while supporting the well-being of both patients and staff.
Meet Our 2025 Scholarship Honorees
PNCB supports the future of pediatric nursing through our scholarship programs that provide assistance to talented students and nurses pursuing advanced education, ensuring a skilled workforce for tomorrow's pediatric patients. Get to know the bright minds who are poised to shape the future of our profession.
Investing in Pediatric Nursing Diversity RN Student Scholarship
PNCB's Investing in Pediatric Nursing Diversity RN Student Scholarship supports the education of an undergraduate nursing student who is pursuing a degree to become a registered nurse and has a strong interest in pediatric nursing for their future.
Ayana Charles is an accelerated BSN student at the MGH Institute of Health Professions with a passion for pediatric nursing and health equity. Raised in a low-income immigrant family in Boston, Ayana experienced the challenges of limited healthcare access firsthand, which inspired her to become a Community Health Educator. In this role, she provided inclusive, trauma-informed education for LGBTQ+ youth, immigrants and communities of color focusing on reproductive health and healthcare advocacy. Now pursuing her nursing degree, Ayana brings her experience in culturally responsive care to the clinical setting, where she is committed to empowering youth and families facing systemic barriers. Ayana is enrolled in Boston Children’s Hospital’s Nursing Career Lattice Program and will begin her pediatric nursing career there following graduation. Ayana’s long-term goals include earning her Master of Science in Nursing and becoming a school nurse. She plans to mentor aspiring nurses from underserved backgrounds and advocate for increased representation in pediatric nursing. Ayana champions compassionate inclusive care while shaping a more just and equitable healthcare system for children and communities.
Empowering Professional Diversity PNP Student Scholarship
PNCB and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) Empowering Professional Diversity PNP Student Scholarship focuses on supporting the education of a pediatric-focused nurse who is committed to advancing the profession, and who is pursuing a degree as a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP).
Calli Jing, RN, BSN, CCRN has been a nurse for five years and currently works at Stanford Children's Hospital in the CVICU. She is pursuing her DNP as an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner at the University of California, San Francisco. Calli has a passion for cardiology and hopes to specialize in pediatric cardiology after graduation, with a particular interest in heart failure and heart transplants. Her favorite part of pediatric nursing is the positive impact she has on her patients’ lives. With her advanced degree, she hopes to become a leader in pediatric cardiac care, contributing to innovative and compassionate treatment for children with complex heart conditions.
PNCB-SPN Conference Scholarship
Each year, PNCB and the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) award a joint PNCB-SPN Conference Scholarship to a PNCB-certified nursing professional who is also an SPN member. SPN provides complimentary conference registration, and PNCB provides a travel honorarium. This year we are awarding two outstanding nursing professionals.
Janna Berg, BSN, RN, CPN is a dedicated pediatric nurse with over 30 years of inpatient experience at Children’s Health Dallas. A committed mentor and primary preceptor, Janna plays a key role in developing new graduate and transitioning nurses. Her leadership extends through council involvement, currently serving as Chair of the Professional Development Council and the recent Chair of the Certification Champion Forum. She is a published presenter at national conferences, advocating for mentorship, certification, and neurodiversity inclusion in preceptorship. A two-time Daisy Award honoree, a 2025 D Magazine Excellence in Nursing recipient, and a 2025 D Magazine Great 100 Nurse, Janna’s work has also been recognized by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and Texas Nurses Association. Her dedication to evidence-based practice is evident through fellowships with the Texas Christian University and the Texas Nurses Association. Passionate about advocacy and professional growth, she volunteers at the Crimes Against Children Conference and actively champions pediatric nursing certification.
Jemima Gallardo, MSN, RN, CPN was born in the Philippines and later moved to Texas, where she found her passion for pediatric nursing. Jemima earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Texas Woman’s University in 2023. With over nine years of experience, she currently serves as a Team Leader in the Hematology/Oncology Unit at Children’s Health Plano, a Magnet-recognized hospital. Jemima is a dynamic leader who promotes shared governance, professional development, and evidence-based care. As a Magnet Ambassador and CPN Champion, she supports her colleagues in pursuing specialty certification and professional growth. She actively participates in multiple professional councils, and she mentors nurses in leadership and clinical excellence. Outside of work, Jemima volunteers locally to support health, education, and equity in her community.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Are you or a peer making a difference in pediatric nursing? We encourage you to consider applying for our 2026 award and scholarship programs. Applications will open later this year. Visit our Awards & Scholarships page for eligibility criteria, application guidelines, and important dates.
Thank you for being a vital part of this incredible community!