Nominations open in spring 2024.

The Joan L. Shaver Outstanding Illinois Nurse Leader is highly influential in shaping quality health care in the state of Illinois. The award is named after UIC College of Nursing Dean Emerita Dr. Joan Shaver, who established the Power of Nursing Leadership event in 1998 to celebrate excellence in nursing. This award honors the hard work, commitment, and dedication necessary to serve the health care needs of the people of Illinois through supremely skilled leadership and the courage to break through barriers. It symbolizes the celebration of individual achievement and represents excellence in nursing leadership for our state.

Nomination Process*
The nominee must be a nurse with significant professional experience in Illinois. The following nominating materials should be submitted electronically, in PDF format, and must be received together:

1. A completed nomination form and accompanying signed letter of support from the nominator describing:

• Key professional achievements of the nominee; and
• Specific strengths of the nominee as a nurse leader, including key examples of significant impact the nominee has had on shaping quality health care in the state of Illinois.

2. A minimum of one, and a maximum of three, additional signed letters of support from individuals who can attest to the nominee’s qualifications for the award.

* All required documents must be included with the nomination at time of submission.

A SAGE makes a Significant impact as an Advisor who influences and shapes the careers of others by: sharing wisdom and experiences and offering possibilities; acting as a Guide who helps others along their career paths toward leadership opportunities; offering Enlightenment through challenges that urge others to grow and take risks as role models, facilitators, and mentors. The purpose of the SAGE Award is to spotlight nurses who mentor and support leadership of today while always looking for ways to mentor the nurse leaders of tomorrow.

Nomination Process*
The nominee must be a nurse with significant professional experience in Illinois. The following nominating materials should be submitted electronically, in PDF format, and must be received together:

1. A completed nomination form and accompanying signed letter of support from the nominator describing:

• Key professional achievements of the nominee; and
• Specific strengths of the nominee in providing opportunities as a mentor and examples of significant impact the nominee has had on shaping the professional growth of others.

2. One additional signed letter of support from an individual who can attest to the nominee’s qualifications for the award.

* All required documents must be included with the nomination at time of submission.

• See past Shaver and SAGE Awardees

New in 2023, the Advancing Health Equity Award acknowledges a nurse who has accomplished a significant body of work that has reduced health disparities by improving the health of populations disproportionately affected by social determinants of health.

Nomination Process*
The nominee must be a nurse with significant professional experience in Illinois. The following nominating materials should be submitted electronically, in PDF format, and must be received together:

1. A completed nomination form and accompanying signed letter of support from the nominator describing:

• Key professional achievements of the nominee related to support for initiatives focused on a diverse workforce and/or health equity; and
• Specific strengths of the nominee as a nurse leader, including key examples of significant impact the nominee has had on supporting and enhancing equity in the nursing workforce and/or care that addresses health disparities.

2. One additional signed letter of support from individuals who can attest to the nominee’s qualifications for the award.

* All required documents must be included with the nomination at time of submission.

The purpose of this award is to recognize an Illinois nurse with less than 10 years of professional nursing experience who shows significant potential as a future nurse leader within their organization.

Nomination Process*
The nominee must be an RN or APRN in Illinois. The following nominating materials should be submitted electronically, in PDF format, and must be received together:

1. A completed nomination form and accompanying signed letter of support from the nominator describing:

• Key professional achievements of the nominee that point to the innovation, integrity and professionalism essential to leadership; and
• Specific strengths of the nominee that point to the innovation, integrity and professionalism required for effective leadership.

2. One additional signed letter of support from individuals who can attest to the nominee’s qualifications for the award.

* All required documents must be included with the nomination at time of submission.

The selection process for all awards is administered by the Power of Nursing Leadership Host Committee. Host Committee members and previous award recipients are ineligible for nomination.