Baltimore Magazine 2025 Top Nurses
26 Johns Hopkins Nurses Receive Excellence in Nursing Award from Baltimore Magazine
After an extensive nomination and review process, Baltimore magazine has named its 2025 Excellence in Nursing Award winners. This year’s list includes 26 outstanding Johns Hopkins nurses from across our health system.
The winners are featured in the May 2025 issue of Baltimore magazine and will be presented with the publication’s Excellence in Nursing Award during an awards reception on May 8.
The winning nurses were chosen from hundreds of nominations submitted by peers, supervisors and patients. An expert panel of senior nurse advisers reviewed the nominations and selected the region’s top nurses for their extraordinary contributions to health care.
We applaud our 2025 Baltimore magazine Excellence in Nursing Award winners and all of our extraordinary Johns Hopkins nurses for their compassion, expertise and innovative approaches to providing exceptional patient care.
Meet Johns Hopkins’ Excellence in Nursing award winners, and read why each is proud to be a nurse:
Heather Cullen, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N.
Assistant Nurse Manager
Weinberg Intensive Care Unit in the Department of Surgery
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"I take great pride in being a nurse because I have a voice to shape and elevate the quality of care our patients receive. Nurses stand by patients and their families in their most challenging moments, selflessly committing to brightening their day and making a meaningful difference in their lives."
Kim Damon-Gant, M.S.N., R.N.
Assistant Patient Care Manager
Department of Surgery
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
“Nursing is a calling, caring for people in their most vulnerable and unexpected moments. It’s the ability to make an impact on someone’s health, well-being and recovery. It’s the connections you make with patients, families and co-workers.”
Maria Julienne S. Diloy, M.S., R.N., C.C.R.N.
Nursing Practice and Professional Development Specialist
Johns Hopkins Health System
“I am most proud of working with an amazing central education department that shares the same passion and goals of creating and providing the best education for staff. Whether it’s a big or small ‘aha!’ teaching moment, every learning experience contributes to enhancing the care we provide to our patients. It is a blessing to be in a profession that has allowed me to work within my two passions: nursing and teaching. I am deeply grateful to many who have shaped me into this educator role and continue to inspire me, helping me grow and evolve in my profession.”
Valerie A. Elliott, M.S.N., R.N., A.C.N.P., C.R.N.P.
Lead Nurse Practitioner
Weinberg Intensive Care Unit in the Department of Surgery
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
“Being a nurse practitioner has provided me with the opportunity to have a significant impact on patients’ lives. It is with great pride that I reflect upon my 35 years in nursing. Working within an institution that provides opportunities for personal and professional growth, with a high level of practice autonomy, has preserved my passion for my profession.”
Julie Ellis, M.S.N., R.N.
Education Specialist
Quality Management
Johns Hopkins Care at Home
"I am proud to be part of a profession that utilizes intelligence, empathy and creativity to bridge the gap between the complexity of medicine and patients’ everyday lives. We bear witness to our patients’ struggles, help them to feel less alone and simplify the steps they will take in their health care journey."
Symone Everett Day, D.N.P., A.P.R.N.-C.N.S., C.C.R.N.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Surgical Intensive Care Unit in the Department of Surgery
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"Being a nurse/clinical nurse specialist allows me to advocate for a population of patients to bring lasting impact and improved patient outcomes. I collaborate with health care teams at the unit and hospital level to ensure the best care for the patients we serve."
Angela Galoppo, R.N., B.S.N.
RN III
Radiation Oncology
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"As a nurse, I take great pride in making a meaningful impact on people during some of the most challenging times in their lives. I’m honored to offer not only medical care, but also emotional and psychological support to both patients and their families. It’s truly inspiring to walk alongside these patients on their healing journey and witness their resilience and strength."
Madison Goundry, B.S.N., R.N.
Lead Clinical Nurse
Weinberg Intensive Care Unit in the Department of Surgery
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"There are so many reasons why I love being a nurse! If I had to choose, my top two would be our amazing patients and incredible co-workers. It’s such a privilege to be a part of our patients’ lives, caring for them and advocating on their behalf. Over the past 12 years at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, I’ve had the honor of meeting and learning from so many wonderful people, and their dedication, resilience and passion inspire me to always strive to be better. I feel so proud be a nurse. It allows us to make a difference in people’s lives every day, and it’s something I hope to never take for granted."
Patricia Guthrie, M.S.N., R.N., C.P.A.N.
RN III
Weinberg Prep/Pacu
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"I feel fortunate to be in a rewarding position that allows me to have a direct impact on improving patients’ care during recovery from challenging surgeries. I also am afforded the opportunity to work with dedicated health care providers who teach me something every single day!"
Christina Interrante, M.S.N., R.N.
Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator
Johns Hopkins Adult Trauma Program and Break the Cycle HVIP
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
“As a trauma injury prevention coordinator, I have the privilege of transforming care beyond the bedside, directly engaging with the Baltimore community to prevent injuries and promote survivorship. I am deeply passionate about meeting people where they are — through outreach, education and advocacy — empowering them to create real, lasting change. Every day, I turn compassion into action, working hand in hand with individuals and communities to build a safer, healthier future for Baltimore.”
Rose Karlan, R.N., M.S.N., R.N.-B.C., C.N.L.
Nurse Manager
Weinberg 4CD in the Department of Surgery
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"Caring for others during their time of need and being able to make a difference in their journey is what makes me most proud to be a nurse. As a nurse manager, helping to develop others and being able to see them progress on to leadership positions throughout the hospital makes me proud. Nurses at all levels impact the lives of others every day; that is something to be proud of!"
Tikiki T. Linston, M.S.N., R.N., M.P.H.
RN III
Marburg 3 in the Department of Surgery
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"I love people, but most importantly, I love my patients. When I can walk into a room and see my patients light up with a big smile, my heart truly melts. This lets me know that my love, care, kindness, attentiveness and advocacy efforts have all made a difference. Providing nursing care to patients who are not at their best is truly the world’s greatest job. It is a daily humbling experience that teaches me to be grateful and not to take life for granted. But most importantly, it teaches me to cherish my family even more."
Emily Little, B.S.N., R.N.
Senior Clinical Nurse
The Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Center, Neuro Oncology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
"It is a source of great pride knowing that during times of need my compassion, care, expertise and advocacy can be a source of comfort and healing for not only my patients, but also for family and friends. Serving others for a living is a privilege."
Vicki Lowe, Ph.D., R.N., I.B.C.L.C.
NICU IBCLC and Nurse Scientist
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Women’s & Children’s Services
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
"I am honored by the opportunity to support patients — most recently in my career, mothers and their infants — during one of the most challenging times of their lives. Nurses are uniquely placed to influence outcomes, act as a bridge between families and their medical teams and support patients during those times when the outcomes are not what anyone hoped for."
Ajitha Mattathil, B.S.N., R.N.
Lead Clinical Nurse
Observation Unit
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
"That I can make a meaningful difference to a person. Nursing is inspiring and rewarding."
Kathy Mooney, M.S.N., R.N., A.C.N.S.-B.C., B.M.T.C.N., O.C.N.
Clinical Program Director for Cellular Therapy
Johns Hopkins Medicine Cancer Service Line
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"Being an oncology nurse has been both a privilege and an honor, allowing me to provide care to patients during their most challenging moments and witnessing their times of joy, sadness, grief and happiness. I am incredibly proud to be part of a team that shows up every day committed to making each patient’s journey as positive as possible, dedicating our time and efforts to their well-being every step of the way."
Sharon G. Owens, Ph.D., A.C.N.P.-B.C., N.E.A.-B.C.
Director of Nursing Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Department of Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"I am proud to be a nurse because I have the ability to support patients and their families at any stage of their journey and in a variety of settings. I also get to be part of an amazing interdisciplinary team with people who are dedicated to helping patients and their families through some of the most challenging parts of their lives. It is a wonderful career."
Sharon Romero, B.S.N., R.N.
RN CLN III
4 Pavilion
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
"Being a nurse is something I am incredibly proud of because it is a profession built on compassion, resilience and dedication to helping others. The ability to comfort patients and families in their time of need is deeply rewarding."
Eileen Simione, M.S.N., R.N.-C.
Ambulatory Care Nurse
Internal Medicine and Family Practice
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, North Bethesda
"As an ambulatory care nurse, I work with patients in the office, through the patient portal and by telephone triage. I am proud to be able to act as a navigator, helping each patient to become more informed and empowered throughout their health care journey and supporting their access to appropriate care."
Christie Simon-Waterman, D.N.P., F.N.P.-B.C., P.M.H.N.P.-B.C., D.W.C.C., W.C.C.
Nurse Practitioner
Occupational Health/Employee Health and Wellness
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"As a nurse, I am most proud of my ability to provide compassionate care that empowers and uplifts others during their most vulnerable moments. Knowing that my knowledge, skills and presence can bring comfort, healing and hope is both a privilege and a calling. Every day, I have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life, and that is the greatest reward."
Jenna Spencer, D.N.P., A.P.R.N., A.C.C.N.S.-P., C.P.E.N.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Pediatric Emergency Department
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"From the beginning of nursing school, it was my dream to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps and become a caring, compassionate and bright nurse. Working at the bedside in the pediatric emergency department brought me so much joy as I learned to care for children with many diseases and acuities. As a clinical nurse specialist, I am extremely pleased to work with my team and use my skills to serve an entire population, improve patient outcomes and support nursing practice."
Candice Spock, B.S.N., R.N.
RN II
Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"What makes me most proud about being a nurse? The privilege of providing expert care to critically ill children while training and being trained by colleagues. Using that collaborative expertise to help children and families survive and thrive in the face of complex and life-threatening health challenges, and being gifted with random visits from “recovered” children who remind you of witnessed miracles."
Shannon Trainor, M.S.N., R.N.
Lead Clinical Nurse, Orientation Facilitator
Weinberg Intensive Care Unit in the Department of Surgery
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
"There is great satisfaction in being able to help patients and family members through a traumatic time in their lives. I enjoy being able to pass on what I have learned to staff and students in ways that are engaging and have meaningful impact."
Tina Vest, C.R.N.P.-P.M.H.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Community Psychiatry Program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
"What makes me most proud about being a nurse is being able to care for others, make others feel heard and advocate for patients’ needs. I love spreading hope to others and making them smile. Nursing is the best profession in the world! I love being a nurse!"
Cynthia A. Walker, M.S.N., A.P.R.N.-C.N.S., C.W.O.N.
Wound Ostomy Clinical Nurse Specialist
Inpatient Wound Management
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
"As a school-age child, I dreamed of becoming a nurse, teacher or flight attendant. Over the years, I've found that nursing encompasses elements of all three of these aspirations. I am grateful to be surrounded by like-minded, caring and compassionate team members who provide care during the darkest moments with kindness and empathy. Sometimes, this compassion is more effective in promoting wound healing and managing ostomy care than anything else. I truly feel blessed."
Amy Wenz, M.S.N., C.R.N.P.
Nurse Practitioner
Inpatient Diabetes Management Service
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
"I am most proud of being a nurse because it allows me to connect with patients during their most trying times and help them through that journey."