The Awards Committee typically meets once or twice a year in the Spring. The office team sends out the call for award nominees for that year’s categories. The committee electronically scores the submissions and then meets to finalize the awardees. Volunteer for this committee if you want a chance to be wowed by the accomplishments of our members.
The 2026 members of the Awards Committee are:
Chair – Tanya Drake, MSN, RN
Tanya Drake is a Charter and Founding Member of the American Nurses Association-New York, as well as the immediate past Vice President and former Secretary. She is passionate about nursing, advocacy, equitable healthcare for all, community service, and strongly believes that we are all obliged to give back to our profession. She has been active in professional organizations on the local, state, and national level throughout her career and held numerous leadership positions. A published author, Tanya retired after a 50-year career in nursing and was honored to be named Professor Emerita of SUNY Rockland Community College. Among the many acknowledgements of her contributions to the profession are the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service, the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Award for Leadership and Teaching Excellence, The Long Island University Top 50 Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award, and the Excellence in Clinical Practice Award from the Alpha Phi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, Int. Currently, Tanya is Secretary of Nurses House, Inc., a member of the Board of Trustees of Montefiore Nyack Hospital, a Community Educator for the Hudson Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and works on the construction crew of Rockland County Habitat for Humanity. Tanya enjoys expedition travel and was thrilled to recently discover a fossilized dinosaur eggs nest while hiking in the Gobi in Mongolia.
Verlia Brown, MA, RN, BC (Ret’d)
Verlia Brown is a retired Critical Care Nursing Care Coordinator from Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, New York, who has dedicated her career to promoting excellence in nursing practice, leadership, and professional service. She currently serves on the Awards Committee and as the Alternate ANA‑NY representative to the ANA Membership Assembly, continuing her long-standing commitment to strengthening the nursing profession at the state and national levels. Her previous leadership roles include serving on the ANA‑NY Board of Directors, acting as Board Liaison to the Awards Committee, representing ANA‑NY at the ANA Membership Assembly, chairing the Awards Committee, and contributing as a member of the Bylaws Committee. A dedicated advocate for professional development, she remains active in the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and the Nurses Association of the Counties of Long Island. Additionally, she extends her service to Nurses House, Inc., where she contributes her expertise as a member of both the Finance and Nominations Committees. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is deeply involved in her church community and participates in missionary work in Ghana, reflecting her ongoing dedication to service, compassion, and global outreach.
Karin Pantel, EdD, RN, MSN, CNE
Karin Pantel is a retired Nurse Educator enjoying a very busy retirement. She currently serves as a Volunteer Community Educator for the Hudson Valley Alzheimer’s Association, Education Chair for the New York State Association for Rural Health (NYSARH), Regional Director for NYS Women Inc., and Treasurer of her local NYSW Chapter. She is the Founding President of the New York League for Nursing (NYLN), recording secretary for the Sigma Tau Kappa at-Large Chapter in Albany, and enjoys participating in community events.
Gwen Anderson, DNP, MSN, RN, SCRN, CEN, NE-BC
Dr. Gwen Anderson is a dedicated nurse leader and experienced clinician committed to advancing patient care, nursing leadership, and community engagement. She began her nursing career after earning her Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Rockland Community College. She continued her academic journey at Chamberlain University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). In August 2025, she completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Capella University, further strengthening her expertise in healthcare leadership, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice.
Dr. Anderson holds multiple specialty certifications, including Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN), Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), and Nurse Executive Board Certified (NE-BC), reflecting her commitment to clinical excellence and leadership in complex healthcare environments.
She is an active member of several professional nursing organizations and dedicates significant time to volunteerism and community engagement. Through her involvement in professional associations and community initiatives, Dr. Anderson supports mentorship, professional development, and improved health outcomes.
Passionate about advancing the nursing profession, Dr. Anderson continues to contribute to growth of nurses and healthcare systems through leadership, service, and a strong commitment to lifelong learning.
Marijana Bankovic, BSN, RN, CCM, EV-BC, CEOLD
Marijana Bankovic was born and raised in Serbia until she moved with her family to Canada in 1996. There, she obtained her Nursing Diploma from Mohawk College, Ontario before moving to New York City in 2006. She completed an RN-BSN online bridge program through Chamberlain University. Her career has mostly been in Case Management, but she has also worked in home care, wound clinic, IVF clinic, and medical coding. She lives with her husband of 20 years, 19-year-old daughter who is finishing her first year of University in Canada, 15-year-old son who is an inspiring chef and businessman, and 9-year-old cat Timmy. She is a certified Case Manager, Cardiovascular Nurse, and Death doula. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, knitting, painting, dancing, and cooking. Marijana serves on the ANA-NY Awards Committee as well as the CMSA Awards Committee.
Tshaye Scarlett, MSN, RN, WCC
Tshaye Scarlett is an accomplished nurse leader, educator, and clinician with over a decade of experience in healthcare. Her career spans bedside care in medical-surgical and telemetry units to academic and leadership roles, including Adjunct Clinical Faculty and Nurse Educator positions in acute care settings. In these roles, she has been instrumental in promoting clinical competence and professional development among both novice and seasoned nurses. Tshaye holds dual Master of Science in Nursing degrees in Nurse Executive Leadership and Nurse Education from Chamberlain University. In addition, she is a Wound Care Certified Nurse and a certified Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor. Tshaye currently serves as Nurse Manager of Patient Care Services at Northwell Health – LIJ Valley Stream. In this role, she oversees nursing operations, ensures regulatory compliance, staff development, and implementation of quality improvement initiatives. Deeply committed to cultivating a positive work environment, Tshaye is passionate about supporting staff development, fostering clinical excellence, and advancing patient care outcomes.
Cheryll East, MHA, MSN, RN, LNHA, LNC, VWCN
Cheryll East is a seasoned healthcare leader and legal nurse consultant with 25 years of nursing experience and a strong track record in skilled nursing and long-term care operations. She currently serves as an Administrator at Advanced Health Care in New York. Known for her results-driven, resident-centered approach, Cheryll specializes in clinical operations, regulatory compliance, wound care, quality improvement (QAPI), and risk management—helping teams strengthen standards of care while improving outcomes and experience for residents and families.
Melody Cubas, BSN, RN, PMH-BC
Melody Cubas is a distinguished psychiatric nurse leader with over three decades of clinical expertise and a lifelong commitment to nursing excellence, safety, and innovation. Currently serving as a Clinical Nurse in Adult Inpatient Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Hospital, she is a trusted leader in Magnet program development, staff engagement, and behavioral health.
As a Mount Sinai Magnet Nurse of the Year (2025), Melody is also a proud recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses (2018) and the Excellence in Nursing Practice Award (2013)-recognitions that reflect her deep compassion, advocacy, and impact at the bedside. She has served as Lead Magnet Champion and Council Co-chair, playing a pivotal role in multiple successful Magnet site visits and strategic program development. An ANCC Magnet Abstract Reviewer Volunteer (2025) and a Magnet Site Visit Ambassador (2019, 2024) testifies to her deep engagement with an understanding of the Magnet framework. Melody has long contributed to advancing national nursing standards and recognition.
Her dedication to safety is exemplified in her role as a Behavioral Health Safe Takedown Training Facilitator, leading system-wide initiatives on de-escalation and violence prevention. Melody’s impact extends beyond the hospital through her service on the Executive Board of the Philippine Nurses Association of New York (2024-2026) and participation in community outreach efforts focused on mental health and wellness.
In every capacity, Melody has demonstrated a rare combination of compassion, insight, and visionary leadership. With a strong foundation in DEI, patient safety, and professional governance, she brings invaluable frontline insight to her role as Commissioner on the ANCC Commission on Magnet, representing clinical nurses with purpose, passion, and pride.
Doreen Rogers, DNS, RN, CNE
Dr. Rogers has been a nurse for 34 years and has been in higher education since 2003 in undergraduate and graduate nursing education and as faculty and a department administrator, currently serving as Associate Dean of Nursing at SUNY Canton. She holds graduate degrees in nursing education and leadership, and CCRN- Alumnus and CNE certifications. Her research interests include predictors of student success, resilience and grit, retention of faculty and professional nurses, and AI. Dr. Rogers currently serves as a peer evaluator for regional and national accreditation organizations and is a founding member of the Northern New York Nursing Consortium.
Jonathan Mizgala
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Lynn Marie Antonawich
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Marilyn Klainberg
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Board Liaison – Elisa (Lee) Mancuso, MS, FNS, RNC-NIC, AE-C
Lee Mancuso has been a NICU Level III RN, NICU NP and Bereavement Counselor for over 42 years and a Professor of Nursing at Suffolk County Community College (SCCC), specializing in Pediatrics, Mental Health & Leadership. She was honored with Professor Emeritus and failed retirement as she is now an Adjunct Pediatric clinical professor at Adelphi University.
Early in her career she became involved in professional nursing organizations and political advocacy. Lee served as ANA-NY President (2016-2020), Nurses Supporting Nurses Program coordinator, Delegate to Membership Assembly, ANA Reference Committee/Professional Policy Committee and President of the Professional Nurses Association of Suffolk County (PNASC).
In her spare time, she is an ANCC Peer Reviewer for ANA’s Northeast Multistate Division and a member of Suffolk County Medical Reserve Corporation responding to numerous emergencies and disasters over the years and administered over 50,000 COVID vaccines.
Lee is the recipient of two NIH National Human Genome Research Institute Fellowships, SCCC Governance Leadership Award for Academic Excellence & Service, NYSNA Nurse Educator Award, SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Who’s Who in American Nursing.
Lee is Deacon for Christ Community Church and coordinates outreach ministry; Women’s Annual Retreat, home care visits, Vacation Bible School and international mission programs. She coordinated three Dominican Republic (DR) mission trips, July 2022, January 2024 & July 2025, where she provided women’s health care seminars, and direct patient care in 3 remote areas, Jarabacoa, Hatillo, and Crucero. She established a community health clinic in Crucero (July 2022) that offers monthly healthcare and medications to residents who formerly had no access in the DR. This community health clinic continues to thrive today.
For the past 12 years she has shaved her head for St. Baldricks to raise funds for Pediatric cancer research, and her total is now over $81,000. Please support St. Baldrick’s by visiting her webpage: https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1171216/2026.
Lee is passionate in promoting professionalism, patient advocacy, mentoring and inspiring nurses to reach their optimal potential and be change agents to “Pay it Forward.”
