Hernandez and Lozano were noted for their solution-oriented approaches to challenges, including reducing health care-associated infection rates, improving their work environments, and helping ARMC address staffing shortages, turnover and other operational issues.

Criteria to evaluate Circle of Excellence candidates include relentless promotion of patient-driven excellence; strong communication skills; true collaboration; effective decision-making; meaningful recognition of others; ability to transform thinking, structures and processes; and the ability to address challenges and remove barriers to excellent patient care and achieve visible results through leadership.

"It’s impressive that ARMC has had three of its nurse leaders receive the Circle of Excellence award, with Zorina and Marissa being honored this year, and their colleague Opal Dy receiving it last year,” said AACN President Jennifer Adamski. “They’ve developed transformative efforts that impact patient outcomes and engage staff in quality improvement initiatives. These dedicated leaders uplift others while relentlessly pursuing excellence. Their commitment to a healthy work environment is making a difference, to their patients, their colleagues and their community."

AACN’s Circle of Excellence award aligns with the association’s vision to create a health care system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution.