NCSBN Award Ceremony Honors Outstanding Nurse Regulators

CHICAGO -- NCSBN recognized its dedicated and exceptional membership and guests at its annual awards ceremony during the NCSBN Annual Meeting and Delegate Assembly, held in Chicago, Aug. 19-21, 2026.

Specific award recipients included:

Joey Ridenour, MN, RN, FAAN, executive director, Arizona State Board of Nursing, received the Founders Award. This prestigious award is given only upon occasion that an individual with ethics, integrity and sincerity has demonstrated the highest regard for the ideals and beliefs upon which NCSBN was founded.

Danette Schloeder, DNP, RNC-OB, C-EFM, C-ONQS, board chair, Alaska Board of Nursing, was honored with the Elaine Ellibee Award, granted to a member who has served as a president and who has made significant contributions to NCSBN.

The Mississippi Board of Nursing received the Regulatory Achievement Award that recognizes the member board or associate member that has made an identifiable, significant contribution to the mission and vision of NCSBN in promoting public policy related to the safe and effective practice of nursing in the interest of public welfare.

Crystal Tillman, DNP, RN, CPNP, PMHN-BC, FRE, chief executive officer, North Carolina Board of Nursing, received the Meritorious Service Award, which is granted to a member for significant contributions to the mission and vision of NCSBN.

Kyle Martin, director of operations, North Dakota Board of Nursing, received the Nova Award, which recognizes emerging nursing regulatory leaders and is given to an individual who is a member with less than five years tenure in nursing regulation or in their role.

Peggy Sellers Benson, MSN, MSHA, RN, NE-BC, executive officer, Alabama Board of Nursing, was honored with the Catalyst Award. This award is given to an individual who sparks change and transformation in nursing regulation and is given for significant contributions to nursing regulation at any level.

Prisicilla Burks, PhD, RN, director of practical nursing education, Mississippi Board of Nursing, received the Exceptional Contribution Award, which is given for significant contribution by a member who is not a president or executive officer and has demonstrated support of NCSBN's mission.

In addition, service awards were given to the following executive officers of nursing regulatory bodies (NRBs):

Five Years

• Jenny Barnhouse, DNP, RN, Executive Director, Oklahoma Board of Nursing
• Shiela Boni, MSN, RN, Executive Officer, Vermont State Board of Nursing
• Nicki Chopski, PharmD, Executive Director, Idaho Board of Nursing
• Laura Lynn Jackson, MSc, RN, RM, Chief Nursing Officer, Bermuda Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Kelly Jenkins, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Executive Director, Kentucky Board of Nursing
• Sherry Richardson, MSN, RN, Executive Director, Tennessee State Board of Nursing
• Brad Wojciechowski, Executive Director, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services

10 Years

• Michelle L. Chapman, MSN, MBA/HCM, RNBC, Executive Director, West Virginia Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses
• Cathy Dinauer, MSN, RN, Executive Director, Nevada State Board of Nursing
• JoAnne Graham, LPN, Executive Director/ Registrar, College of Nursing of New Brunswick
• Ann Oertwich, PhD, RN, Executive Director, Nebraska Board of Nursing
• Sue Ann Painter, DNP, RN, Executive Director, West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses
• Dawn Rix-Moore, Chief Operating Officer, Prince Edward Island College of Nursing and Midwifery (previously Executive Director, College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Prince Edward Island)

15 Years

• Jennifer Breton, RN, LPN, Executive Director, College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba
• Laura Panteluk, RPN, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba

20 Years

• Michele Bromberg, MSN, RN, Nursing Coordinator, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

25 Years

• Lori Scheidt, MBA-HCM, Executive Director, Missouri State Board of Nursing

About NCSBN
Empowering and supporting nursing regulators across the world in their mandate to protect the public, NCSBN is an independent, not-for-profit organization. As a global leader in regulatory excellence, NCSBN champions regulatory solutions to borderless health care delivery, agile regulatory systems and nurses practicing to the full scope of their education, experience and expertise. A world leader in test development and administration, NCSBN's NCLEX Exams are internationally recognized as preeminent nursing examinations.

NCSBN's membership is comprised of the nursing regulatory bodies (NRBs) in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories. There are nine exam user members and 21 associate members that are either NRBs or empowered regulatory authorities from other countries or territories.

The statements and opinions expressed are those of NCSBN and not individual members.