The fifth annual Outstanding Preceptor Awards celebrates professionals who play a critical role in supporting the state’s nursing workforce

September 18, 2025 – Portland, OR — The Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN), the state advisor for nursing workforce issues, held its fifth annual Outstanding Preceptor Awards ceremony earlier this week, honoring 20 peer-nominated outstanding nurse preceptors from across the state. 

Preceptors work with both new graduates and more experienced nurses transitioning to new positions or organizations. From clinical orientation to professional mentorship to skill shaping and building confidence, Oregon’s preceptors provide invaluable guidance, fostering resilience in the nursing workforce. 

Troy Larkin from Providence Health & Services opened the virtual event, underscoring that preceptors’ work is especially important today, as many nurses report high levels of burnout and insufficient support. “Preceptors can improve employee retention and also help with recruiting, said Larkin, “which is especially important as Oregon’s healthcare organizations struggle to fill open nursing roles.”  

“We’ve come a long way over the past few years in terms of recognizing and appreciating the contribution of the nursing workforce as a whole”, added Jana Bitton, Executive Director of the Oregon Center for Nursing, “But the unique role the preceptors play is often overlooked. These nurses aren’t just mentors – at OCN we say they are multipliers of excellence.” 

This year’s honorees were celebrated by a large group of Oregon nurses at a virtual awards ceremony hosted by OCN. They also received a cash award. 

The Outstanding Nurse Preceptors of 2025 are:

Nominated by Peers:

• • Joe Brinkman, MSN, RN, CNOR; Peace Harbor Hospital, Florence 

• • Felix DeVries, RN; Providence Milwaukie Hospital, Milwaukie

• • Nicole Frager, BSN, RN; Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland

• • Matt Jones, BSN, RN; St. Charles Medical Center, Bend 

• • Capella Lapham, DNP, FNP; Coast Healthcare & Oregon Health & Sciences University School Nursing, Newport 

• • Chelsea Michielsen, DNP, FNP; Bridgeport Family Medicine, Portland 

• • Jennifer Rhodes, RN; Legacy Good Samaritan, Portland

• • Matt Sikes, BSN, RN; Sky Lakes Medical Center, Klamath Falls

• • Lori Simmons, DNP, APRN, FNP-C; Grants Pass Pediatrics, Grants Pass 

• • Michelle Widner, RN; Saint Alphonsus Medical Center, Ontario

Nominated by Organization or Employer:

• • Kyle Anderson, LPN; Oregon State Hospital, Salem 

• • Darwin Ang, BSN, CCRN; Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland

• • Jared Brown, BSN, RN; Terwilliger Plaza, Portland 

• • Aminta Hall, LPN; Kaiser Permanente, Portland 

• • Stephanie Hane, RN; Legacy Health Systems, Meridian Park, Tualitan 

• • Stephanie Merritt, BSN, RN;  Bay Area Hospital, Coos Bay

• • Kate Panum, BSN, RN, RNC-OB, C-EFM; PeaceHealth Riverbend, Springfield 

• • Megan Romero, BSN, RN, CMSRN; Sky Lakes Medical Center, Klamath Falls

• • Zane Smith-Lundy, BSN, RN, CEN; Oregon Health & Sciences University School Nursing & Grande Ronde Hospital, La Grande

• • Kalli Young, BSN, RN; Willamette Valley Medical Center, McMinnville

To learn more about this program and the outstanding nurse leaders honored this year, visit: https://www.oregoncenterfornursing.org/programs/nurse-preceptors-awards/

About The Oregon Center for Nursing

The Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN) is a nonprofit workforce center working to advance the nursing profession across Oregon. The organization fulfills its mission of supporting “informed, well-prepared, diverse, and exceptional nursing professionals” through research, education, programming, and community partnerships. Established by nursing leaders in 2002, OCN is regarded by the Oregon state legislature as a leader and advisor for nursing workforce issues, including well-being, job satisfaction, and retention. For more information about the organization and its programming, visit oregoncenterfornursing.org.

For media inquiries or more information, contact:

Jana Bitton, MPA

Executive Director, Oregon Center for Nursing

Email: jana.bitton@oregoncenterfornursing.org