The Region 3 (Lincoln Area Nurses) Mutual Interest Group (MIG) held the annual Celebrate Nursing recognition breakfast on April 11, at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Starting with a small group of attendees and a handful of honorees at the start, this event continues to grow! This year there were 32 honorees. Jessica Clark, DNP, RN, was the guest speaker. 

The Region 3 MIG is proud to provide this list of the 2026 Celebrate Nursing Honorees. These year’s honorees are employed at various health care organizations throughout the Lincoln area and a few beyond those boundaries. Each Honoree has a unique story that makes nurses proud to be part of a profession with such exceptional people! Congratulations to everyone! To everyone that attended and or nominated a nurse, thank you. 

Individual Honorees

Colleges of Nursing

UNMC College of Nursing, Megan Dubas, MSN, RN

UNMC College of Nursing, Schuelke, PhD, RN-BC, CNE, CCRN-K

UNMC College of Nursing, Cathy Tierney, EdD, RN

Bryan Medical Center

Ryleigh Burns, BSN, RN, CMSRN, OCN

McKenna Hoage, BSN, RN

Teri Feit, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, ELBW-C

Brie Auxier, RN

Beru Haji, RN

Jeanine Worley, RN

Haley Kontor, RN

Jennifer Perez, RN

Bhavya Patel, RN

Emily Fech, RN

Julie Strunk, BSN, RN

Raquel Morel, RN

Melissa Merritt, RN

Jamie Thomas, RN

CHI Health St. Elizabeth Hospital 

Jeanne Hupp, BSN, MA, RN, CPAN

Laura Dilley, MSN, RN, CNOR

Mary Kay Gillan, MBA, MSN, RN

Allison Anderson, MSN, RN

Jenna Weyers, RN

Abby Hovendick, BSN, RN

Blayne Haag, BSN, RN

Rhonda Souchek, BSN, RN, WOCN

CHI Health Nebraska Heart Hospital

Lauren Meininger, RN

CHI Health Clinic

St. Francis, Cierra Ruskamp, RN

Grand Island, Danielle Lynn, BSN, RN

Yankee Hill, Amy Osborne, RN

Kearney, Amy Bauer, BSN, RN

Neurosurgery Grand Island, Toni Fila, BSN, RN