Florida Nurses Association Announces 2025 Icon Award Winners

The Florida Nurses Association (FNA) proudly recognized the extraordinary contributions of nurses and healthcare organizations at the FNA Membership Assembly Awards Celebration on September 25, 2025. The Icon Awards celebrate leaders, innovators, and advocates who exemplify excellence in nursing and have made a significant impact on patients, communities, and the profession.

This year’s honorees represent a wide spectrum of nursing expertise and leadership, reflecting FNA’s commitment to recognizing individuals and organizations who safeguard, advance, and transform nursing in Florida.

2025 FNA Icon Award Recipients

• Advanced Practice Nursing Icon Award
  Deborah Tedesco, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, FNAP, FAANP

• Barbara Lumpkin Award
  Monica Barfield, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC

• Community Action Icon Award
  Kina Lucombe, MSN, RN, CCM
  Tampa General Hospital Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists

• Nurse Educator Icon Award
  Kasey Nestor, EdD, RN, CNE

• Nursing Administration Icon Award
  Latoya Connor, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, RN, CVRN-BC

• Nursing Innovation and Creativity Icon Award
  Carmen Victoria Framil Suarez, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, CNE, GS-C
  Anita M. Stephen, PhD, RN, CNL, CHSE

• Nursing Research Icon Award
  Trudy Gaillard, PhD, RN, CDCES, FAAN, FAHA

• Promoting an Environment for Excellence in Nursing Practice Icon Award
  BayCare Health System

• Excellence in Direct Patient Care Icon Award
  Stephen Applegate, RN

• President’s Award
  Nola Holness, PhD, CNM, APRN, ANP-C, CNE, FACNM
  Deborah Hogan, MPH, BSN, RN
  Aminah Johnson, MSN, BSHA, RN
  Melba Jamison, MSN, RN

Celebrating Excellence in Nursing

“The Icon Awards honor those who inspire us with their dedication to advancing nursing,” said Willa Fuller, Executive Director. “This year’s recipients represent the very best of our profession, setting the standard for leadership, innovation, and advocacy in healthcare.”

The FNA congratulates all of the award winners and thanks them for their unwavering commitment to excellence and to the future of nursing in Florida.

About the Florida Nurses Association
The Florida Nurses Association (FNA) is the only professional organization representing all nurses in Florida, advocating for nursing practice, promoting excellence in healthcare, and serving as the voice of nursing across the state.

For more information about the FNA and the Icon Awards, visit www.floridanurse.org.

Media Contact:
Willa Hill Fuller
Executive Director
Florida Nurses Association
whill@floridanurse.org | 407-487-2230