Moffit Celebrates Excellence in Nursing at the Annual Nurse of the Year Ceremony
Moffitt Cancer Center proudly celebrates its incredible nurses through the annual Honored Nurse and Nurse of the Year Award Ceremony. This special event shines a spotlight on nurses for their outstanding contributions to the nursing practice, leadership and achievements.
Modeled after an Olympic-style system, the awards feature five categories: Inpatient, Outpatient, Partners in Patient Care, Perioperative and Treatment Area. Nurses in each category earn bronze, silver, gold or platinum medals. From these medalists, a committee of nursing peers selects the Nurse of the Year through a blinded and anonymous process, ensuring the results remain a surprise until the big reveal.
This year marks a record-breaking celebration with 468 nurses awarded medals, the highest number yet.
Meet the extraordinary 2024 Nurse of the Year recipients:
Inpatient Nurse of the Year, Cynthia Acosta
Cynthia Acosta, Inpatient Nurse of the Year
Cynthia Acosta, this year’s Inpatient Nurse of the Year, is celebrated for her exceptional leadership, calm demeanor and dedication to both her patients and colleagues.
As a clinical leader and certified preceptor, she has guided numerous new nurses with patience and support, ensuring their growth and success. She also co-chairs her unit’s Quality and Safety Committee, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement. Her compassionate approach to patient care creates a healing environment where patients feel valued, heard and safe. Praised by her peers as an inspiring leader who embodies Moffitt’s values, she leaves a lasting impact on everyone she works with.
Outpatient Nurse of the Year, Julie Lau
Julie Lau, Outpatient Nurse of the Year
Julie Lau, a true beacon of compassion and leadership, has been named this year’s Outpatient Nurse of the Year. Known for her dedication to patients and peers, she exemplifies the essence of Moffitt’s nursing values. As a nurse navigator, she goes above and beyond to ensure every patient feels supported, often bridging language barriers and navigating complex care needs. Her ability to build trust and deliver culturally competent care transforms the patient experience.
She leads as chair of her unit’s based council and is a Magnet ambassador, driving collaboration and innovation within her team. She also champions mindfulness practices, encouraging her peers to prioritize self-care and resilience amidst their demanding roles.
Perioperative Nurse of the Year, Ashlee Odom
Ashlee Odom, Perioperative Nurse of the Year
Ashlee Odom’s commitment to patient advocacy and teamwork has earned her the title of Perioperative Nurse of the Year.
She is recognized for her outstanding ability to navigate complex situations with empathy and precision. In one remarkable case, she worked diligently to resolve a patient’s concerns about a missing pathology report, ensuring the surgical team reevaluated the case. Her unwavering support and compassionate presence left a profound impact on the patient and their family, who expressed heartfelt gratitude for her advocacy.
Beyond her clinical contributions, she is a Magnet ambassador and co-chair of the Sunshine Committee, where she fosters collaboration and positivity within her team. Known for her ability to stay calm under pressure, she is a trusted resource who consistently uplifts her peers with her positive outlook. Her compassion, problem-solving skills and dedication to excellence make her an invaluable part of Moffitt.
Partners in Patient Care Nurse of the Year, Courtney Jans
Courtney Jan, Partners in Patient Care Nurse of the Year
Courtney Jans, this year’s Partners in Patient Care Nurse of the Year, is a shining example of nursing innovation and collaboration at Moffitt. She demonstrated dedication to patient and staff safety by working with leadership to implement safer solutions for leaking port needles. Her persistence and problem solving ensured patient care were never compromised, highlighting her integrity and commitment to excellence.
Team members describe her as proactive and deeply compassionate. She is known for recognizing and uplifting others, taking the time to express gratitude and acknowledge the contributions of her teammates. Whether collaborating with her peers on safety initiatives, presenting at research days or providing a touch of humor, she is a cornerstone of her team.
Treatment Area Nurse of the Year, Stefanie Young
Stefanie Young, Treatment Area Nurse of the Year
Stefanie Young, this year’s Treatment Area Nurse of the Year, embodies leadership in oncology nursing.
Stefanie is celebrated for her ability to balance the roles of clinical leader, mentor, patient advocate and educator with grace. Her expertise in chemotherapy administration and commitment to patient education have transformed the experience for countless patients and their families. She was instrumental in redesigning Moffitt’s new patient education classes and actively recruited her peers to help ensure patients felt empowered and supported during their care journey.
She is known as the heart and soul of the oncology unit, someone who leads by example and inspires everyone to grow.
To view other photos from the ceremony check out the photo gallery below.
