OU Health nursing teams earned four of the five Oklahoma Nurses Association (ONA) Excellence in the Workplace Environment Awards for 2026, statewide honors recognizing work environments that support nursing practice and advance patient care.
The awards recognize teams at Oklahoma Children’s OU Health, OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center and care coordination services across the health system, reflecting the diverse settings in which OU Health nurses care for patients and families, advance their practice, and contribute to clinical care, education and research.
The four OU Health recipients are:
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Oklahoma Children’s
Pediatric Education Team, Oklahoma Children’s
Phase 1 Nursing Team, Stephenson Cancer Center
Transitional Care Management, OU Health
“I am incredibly proud of our nurses and the teams that support them every day,” said Stefanie Beavers, DNP, R.N., NEA-BC, chief nurse executive at OU Health. “When we invest in our nurses and support them in their practice, we strengthen the care we provide to patients and families. This recognition from the Oklahoma Nurses Association reflects the dedication, innovation and relentless pursuit of excellence that define our nursing workforce.”
The ONA presents the Excellence in the Workplace Environment Award to organizations that create positive work environments for nurses. Recipients must demonstrate an innovative and effective program, approach or work environment that promotes excellent nursing care and supports nurses in their practice.
Nurses Advancing Care Across Specialties
From pediatric critical care and nursing education to cancer research and care coordination, the four award-winning teams support patients, families and fellow nurses in different ways across OU Health.
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit cares for critically ill and injured children whose conditions can change quickly. Its nurses work alongside physicians and pediatric specialists while keeping children and families at the center of care.
The Pediatric Education Team helps nurses at Oklahoma Children’s build skills, expand knowledge and stay prepared to care for children with specialized needs. The team supports nurses who are new to pediatrics as well as those advancing their expertise.
At Stephenson Cancer Center, the Phase I Nursing Team cares for patients participating in early-phase clinical trials. The work requires close adherence to research protocols, interdisciplinary collaboration and patient education as researchers study new cancer treatments.
The Transitional Care Management Team helps patients move from the hospital to home or another care setting. By coordinating follow-up care and communication, the team helps patients and families navigate a critical stage of recovery.
As the University of Oklahoma’s academic health system, OU Health supports nurses across specialties and career stages, with opportunities to contribute to patient care, education and research while advancing their knowledge and professional practice.
The 2026 ONA Nursing Awards were presented Sept. 10 at the association’s annual awards luncheon in Tulsa.
For more information about nursing careers and leadership opportunities at OU Health, visit OUHealth.com/Nursing.
