MD Anderson Names 2026 Oncology Nursing Award Winners

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has named Lakeisha Keller-Davis, RN, MSN, CMSRN, and Ellen C. Mullen, Ph.D., APRN-BC, as the 2026 winners of The Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing, the institution’s highest recognition of nursing excellence. Keller-Davis received the clinical nurse award, and Mullen received the advanced practice registered nurse award. Each category includes a $15,000 grand prize, while two finalists in each category receive $5,000, bringing the total amount awarded to $50,000 across six recipients. Each winner also received a pin and a commemorative crystal plaque.

Keller-Davis has worked at MD Anderson for more than a decade in clinical areas including gastrointestinal oncology, endocrine oncology, lymphoma and myeloma, and thoracic oncology. The institution describes her as a nurse leader recognized for building trusted relationships with patients and families during challenging moments. She has served as a charge nurse, preceptor and advocate for continuous improvement, and has led initiatives intended to enhance patient experience, quality and safety. Her contributions to nursing education include presentations, committee leadership and professional development programs. The award announcement also highlights her commitment to colleagues and the nursing profession.

Mullen, an advanced practice registered nurse, has served at MD Anderson since 1995 and has more than three decades of experience in the institution. Her work has included caring for patients across the cancer continuum and helping shape and expand survivorship services for lymphoma patients. She has also advanced evidence-based practice through publications, national presentations and collaborative research, alongside mentoring and service on institutional committees. MD Anderson cited several distinctions in Mullen’s career, including the Outstanding Nurse Award, Outstanding Service Award, Best of PPM Award, Top 1% Provider recognition and the Good Samaritan Foundation Excellence in Nursing Award. The announcement states that her career has focused on improving the lives of patients and families from diagnosis through survivorship.

The awardees and finalists were selected by a panel of MD Anderson clinical faculty, nursing leaders, patient care administrators and members of a patient family advisory committee. The clinical nurse finalists were Hammam Ahmed, RN, CCRN, CRN, VA-BC, MSN, and Kim T. Brown, RN, OCN, both from Vascular Access and Procedures. The advanced practice registered nurse finalists were Swapna Jacob Binoy, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-C, MSN, in lymphoma, and Alice Saji, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, in gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition. The Brown Foundation has partnered with MD Anderson since 1982 to support the award, which is marking its 45th anniversary. Renewed investment from the foundation enabled the institution to double both the number of recipients and the cash prizes in each of the past two years. This announcement is a professional award and not a clinical study: it recognizes nursing achievement, patient care, leadership and clinical practice, but does not report a treatment effect or evaluate patient health outcomes.

Subject of Research: Oncology nursing award recognition at MD Anderson

Article Title: UT MD Anderson names 2026 winners of The Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing

Article References: UT MD Anderson names 2026 winners of The Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing. Original publication (Bibliographic details unavailable.)

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Keywords: oncology nursing, nursing awards, clinical nurse, advanced practice nurse, patient care, clinical leadership, MD Anderson, Brown Foundation, professional recognition, Anderson, names, winners