In a landmark event that underscores the pivotal role of nursing in oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center recently conferred the prestigious 2025 Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing upon two exemplary professionals: Kimberly Vanderhorst, MSN, RN, CAPA, and Terri Lynn Dunn, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, CPHQ. This accolade stands as the institution’s highest honor for nursing excellence, recognizing outstanding contributions in oncology nursing through exemplary patient care and dedication to clinical innovation. The expansion of this award to concurrently honor both a clinical registered nurse (RN) and an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) for the first time, marks a significant evolution in celebrating diverse nursing roles that are instrumental in cancer care delivery.
Kimberly Vanderhorst, a clinical nurse specialist with expertise in outpatient pediatric anesthesia, received the clinical RN award. Since joining MD Anderson in 2013, Vanderhorst has taken on leadership responsibilities such as serving as charge nurse and actively participating in institutional safety initiatives, notably contributing to the establishment of Code Blue operations at the Proton Therapy Center. Her clinical practice is deeply rooted in the principles of humanistic care, emphasizing the healing power of human connection alongside advanced clinical skills. This dual focus on caregiving and system improvement underscores the integral role nurses play in both patient-centric outcomes and healthcare operational excellence.
Terri Lynn Dunn, honored with the APRN award, has charted an impactful career trajectory from clinical roles within Gynecologic Oncology to leadership as an advanced practice provider manager in General Oncology since her tenure at MD Anderson began in 2009. Dunn’s innovative approach has propelled advancements in nurse navigation systems, broadening access to clinical trial opportunities for underserved populations while fostering professional mentorship structures designed to enhance care quality and provider competency. Her contributions exemplify the integration of clinical expertise, health systems leadership, and patient advocacy in managing complex oncology cases.
The selection process, facilitated by a multidisciplinary panel of MD Anderson clinical faculty, nursing leaders, patient care administrators, and family advisory committee members, highlights the collaborative and comprehensive evaluation of nursing excellence. Award recipients were granted a $15,000 cash prize, a commemorative pin, and a crystal plaque, with additional finalists recognized with $5,000 awards each. The expanded financial recognition, totaling $50,000 distributed among six finalists, reflects The Brown Foundation’s substantially increased investment, reinforcing MD Anderson’s commitment to elevating nursing leadership and innovation in oncology.
Among the clinical RN finalists, nursing professionals Holly Clark, BSN, RN, CNOR, specializing in brachytherapy within Radiation Therapeutics, is noted for her servant leadership and strategic insight within the Shared Governance framework. Clark’s leadership role in the Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy exemplifies how nurse leaders cultivate programmatic initiatives that drive improvements in clinical practice environments. Leonard Pulido, BSN, RN, CMSRN, serving in the Brain and Spine Center, is commended for his multidisciplinary coordination of care for intricate neurological cancer cases, leveraging informatics and mentorship to augment clinical efficiency and foster professional development among novice nurses.
The APRN finalists include Tomar Foster-Mills, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP, an APRN in Radiation Oncology whose clinical expertise bridges perioperative care with brachytherapy coordination, showcasing an integrated nursing practice model that enhances patient workflow and clinical safety. Susy Varghese, DNP, FNP, APRN, CMSRN, distinguished for her work in Pain Medicine, advances evidence-based pain management strategies while advancing research efforts and quality improvement initiatives, including contributions to enhanced recovery protocols and specialized pain management task forces, reinforcing the critical interplay between symptom management and oncology care continuity.
MD Anderson’s oncology nursing program represents a global gold standard, supported by a workforce exceeding 5,000 registered nurses and the world’s most expansive cancer clinical trial enterprise. The institution’s attainment of the sixth consecutive Magnet Recognition Program® designation with distinction marks an unparalleled commitment to nursing excellence and innovation, affirming the organization’s leadership in quality patient outcomes and transformative nursing practices. This status not only attracts top-tier nursing talent but also fosters a vibrant ecosystem where research, education, and clinical care coalesce to advance cancer therapeutics.
The recent formation of the Meyers Institute for Oncology Nursing within MD Anderson embodies a forward-thinking strategy to cultivate oncology nursing leadership and scholarship. Focused on specialized education, professional growth, and well-being, the institute enhances nurses’ capacity to influence research administration, clinical innovation, and the integration of novel technologies. Programs like the Wheeler Nurse Leadership Academy further empower nursing professionals, fostering resilient leadership that adapts to evolving healthcare challenges and promotes sustained excellence in oncology nursing.
Institutional leadership at MD Anderson emphasizes the critical intersection of nurse well-being, professional fulfillment, and patient care quality. Rosanna Morris, chief operating officer and a nurse by training, recognizes that fostering a supportive environment for nurses directly correlates with superior cancer patient outcomes. This philosophy underscores the multifaceted contributions of nurses—not merely as care providers but as integral architects of patient-centered healthcare ecosystems that prioritize dignity, trust, and holistic well-being across the cancer care continuum.
The Brown Foundation’s enduring philanthropy, originating in 1951, has been instrumental in amplifying the impact of oncology nursing at MD Anderson. Over its 44 years of sponsoring the Brown Foundation Award, the foundation has galvanized recognition of oncology nurses whose empathy, clinical acumen, and leadership qualities set benchmarks in cancer care. By generously expanding award categories and prize allocations, the foundation fuels continued investment in nurse-led initiatives that are vital to achieving the institution’s overarching mission to eradicate cancer.
Oncology nursing at MD Anderson, as exemplified by recipients Vanderhorst and Dunn, embodies a synthesis of compassionate care, clinical expertise, and leadership that propels advancements in cancer treatment paradigms. These nurses’ commitment to innovation in clinical practice, inclusive patient engagement, and professional mentorship builds a robust framework for sustainable excellence in oncology nursing—a critical factor in the ongoing fight against cancer and the pursuit of improving patient survival and quality of life outcomes worldwide.
The evolution of oncology nursing, as demonstrated through this award, reflects broader healthcare trends emphasizing interprofessional collaboration, patient-centered strategies, and evidence-based practice. The dynamic roles of clinical RNs and APRNs—ranging from bedside care to programmatic leadership and research facilitation—highlight the complexity and indispensability of nursing within multidisciplinary cancer care teams. The continued elevation of nursing voices within academic and clinical sectors is vital for translating scientific innovation into meaningful patient benefits.
In conclusion, the 2025 Brown Foundation Award recipients at MD Anderson represent the vanguard of oncology nursing leadership, encapsulating the essence of clinical excellence, compassionate patient care, and transformative organizational impact. Their achievements and the institution’s robust support structures set a standard for oncology nursing nationwide, and the expanded award format signals a promising future wherein diverse nursing roles receive recognition commensurate with their essential contributions to cancer care innovation and patient advocacy.
Subject of Research: Oncology Nursing Excellence and Leadership
Article Title: Pioneering Oncology Nursing Excellence: 2025 Brown Foundation Award Recipients at MD Anderson
News Publication Date: October 28, 2025
Web References:
- https://www.mdanderson.org
- https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/care-centers-clinics/proton-therapy-center.html
- https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/howard-meyers-establishes-meyers-institute-for-oncology-nursing-.h00-159623379.html
- https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/f–w–bert-and-mae-dean-wheeler-foundation-establishes-nurse-lea.h00-159774867.html
- https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/md-anderson-achieves-sixth-magnet-designation-in-recognition-of-nursing-excellence.h00-159777234.html
- https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/md-anderson-ranked-number-1-in-the-nation-for-cancer-care.h00-159778023.html
Image Credits: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Keywords: Oncology Nursing, Nursing Leadership, Cancer Care, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Clinical Registered Nurse, Nursing Excellence, Patient-Centered Care, Cancer Clinical Trials, Magnet Recognition Program, Oncology Nursing Innovation, Nurse Mentorship, Hematology Oncology
