CNLs Recognized at 2025 CNL Conference

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC), and Northeastern University co-supported the 2025 International CNLA CNL Conference: The CNL Advantage: Sustaining Change. This year, we are excited to announce the latest recipients of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Vanguard Award and CNL Educator Award.

The CNL Vanguard Award recognizes the innovative and outstanding professional performance of a certified CNL on the frontlines of improving health care. This year’s recipient is Jessica Sewnath, MSN, RN-CNL, Clinical Nurse Leader, Specialty Care Services/Co-Chair from San Francisco VA Health Care System. 

Ms. Sewnath is an exceptional leader in patient care transformation at both the microsystem and mega-system levels. She led her organization’s American Nurses Credentialing Center Pathway to Excellence application, directing teams through the 8 Elements of Performance, resulting in its acceptance. She co-developed a Float Standard Operating Procedure, unanimously approved by the Nurse Manager Council, the Clinical Practice Council, and Shared Governance Council. She co-authored the Pathway to Excellence Newsletter. A respected leader in the CNL community, she co-chairs the VHA CNL Community of Practice and authored a report on the CNL Community’s impact, presented to 90 CNLs and Dr. Jennifer Strawn, Executive Director of the Office of Nursing Services at the VA Central Office.

Honorable Mention: Kristen Noles, DNP, CNL, LSSBB, Director of Quality and Performance Improvement, University of South Alabama Health System

The CNL Educator Award recognizes an academic leader for innovative and exemplary efforts to prepare highly qualified CNLs. This year’s recipient is Linda Cook, DNP, MPH, APRN, NNP-BC, CNL, Chair Graduate Programs and MSN Program Director from Sacred Heart University.

Dr. Linda Cook is the Chair of Graduate Programs and Program Director of the Master’s Online Programs at Sacred Heart University, including the CNL program. A CNL faculty member for over 13 years and a certified CNL since 2014, she has mentored and graduated 587 CNL students from over 30 states. Highly rated by students, Dr. Cook has received numerous teaching awards and specializes in CNL role immersion and capstone practicum courses, guiding students through evidence-based practice improvement projects. She has also mentored students in presenting their work at national CNL conferences. Dr. Cook holds certifications from the Online Learning Consortium and Quality Matters, implementing innovative strategies in graduate courses. She has developed global health clinical sites on Navajo and Lakota Sioux tribal lands and established live, synchronous CNL review sessions, increasing CNL certification pass rates from 67% in 2016 to 90% in 2021. Dr. Cook also established a partnership with Yale New Haven Health System, ensuring CNL students engage in evidence-based capstone projects. She serves on Yale’s Nursing Scientific Review and Evidence-Based Practice Steering Committee and co-authored a leadership chapter in Essential Knowledge for CNL and APRN Nurse Leaders, along with multiple other publications and presentations.

Honorable Mention: Catherine Coleman, DNP, RN, MSN, CNL, CPHQ, Associate Professor, The University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Profession

###

About the CNL

The Clinical Nurse Leader is an evolving nursing role developed by AACN in collaboration with leaders from education and practice to improve the quality of patient care and better prepare nurses to thrive in today’s healthcare system in any setting. These master’s-prepared clinicians put evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery. The CNL evaluates patient outcomes, identifies risk, coordinates care, and implements quality improvement strategies. For the latest news and information about the CNL, visit the CNL web page here.