By Laura Gasque
During Nurses Week 2026, alumni from Alabama’s No. 1 nursing school, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, were recognized for their clinical leadership, nursing knowledge, technical skills and mentorship. UAB Medicine and Children’s of Alabama honored 18 UABSON alumni with their annual awards.
Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FACHE, FNAP, FAAN, is the recipient of the UAB Medicine Distinguished Nursing Partnership Award. The award recognizes Shirey’s impact on creating the presence of high patient quality care and developing outstanding nurse leaders across the country.
“Dean Shirey has impacted patient care and nursing development in a tremendous way. She leads the faculty, the researchers and the clinical instructors responsible for the education of nursing students—not only those learning to be a nurse, but those who also are learning to be strong, system-driven leaders,” said Chief Nursing Executive for UAB Health System Terri Poe, DNP, RN, NE-BC (BSN 1986, DNP 2013).“Nursing is a team sport, and we need partners across the system to help make patient care better.”
University Professor and Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Linda Moneyham, PhD, RN, FAAN, also was honored as a recipient of the 2025 UAB President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. This annual award recognizes full-time faculty members across the university who have demonstrated excellent accomplishments in teaching.
Alumni receiving 2026 awards for nursing excellence included:
UAB Medicine
Excellence in Leadership
- Hollyn Davis (MSN 2017)
- Paige W. Shoop (BSN 2015, MSN 2020)
Excellence in Nursing
- Amanda Clevenger (BSN 2021)
- Kelli Montz Doughterty (BSN 2021)
- Shelby Cagle Leverett (DNP 2025)
- Adrienne Skyler Love (BSN 2018)
- Sydney Q. Nguyen (MSN 2022)
- Cornesha Smith (BSN 2021)
Excellence in Unit Operations
- Elizabeth Baker (MSN 1981)
- Kelly Chapman (BSN 1996)
- Jennifer Heatherly (BSN 1994)
- Hye Sung Kim (BSN 2021)
- Samuel Robison (MSN 2021)
- Gina White (BSN 2006)
Excellence in Nursing Practice and Professional Development
- Dorri Lynn Bierley (DNP 2025)
- Dylan Wayne Carpenter, Post-MSN to DNP Pathway student
- Marlena Smith (BSN 1999, MSN 2005, MSN 2013, DNP 2021)
Children’s of Alabama
Nursing Excellence Achievement Awards
- April Weatherly, Leadership Excellence (MSN 2008, DNP 2017)
- Lakeshia Boyd, Specialized Services Excellence (BSN 2003)
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