The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) is delighted to recognize the exceptional talent, dedication, and compassion that define the pediatric nursing community. We are pleased to invite you to join us in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of our 2026 award and scholarship recipients.
From accomplished professionals making meaningful contributions to patient care and the profession, to nursing students beginning their journey in caring for children, PNCB proudly honors individuals who exemplify excellence, a commitment to lifelong learning, and innovation in children’s health.
Meet Our 2026 Award Recipients
Kelly Reed Advanced Practice Community Impact Award
PNCB annually recognizes a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP) or Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) who extends the reach of their role beyond regular practice activities with the Kelly Reed Advanced Practice Community Impact Award. This award honors former PNCB board member Kelly Reed, MN, RN, CPNP-PC who passed away in 2013. Kelly demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the community in which she served.
Melissa Scollan-Koliopoulos, EDD, DNP, FNP, PMHNP, PMHS is an Associate Professor and Assistant Program Director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at the Dr. Susan L. Davis, RN, and Richard J. Henley College of Nursing at Sacred Heart University. Dr. Scollan‑Koliopoulos maintains a private practice providing integrated psychiatric mental health care to children and families at Nu‑Imagery Healthcare LLC in Haskell, New Jersey, and has served on the Ringwood Board of Health since 2011 and previously served as president. She is also a life member of the American Legion in recognition of her service in the Air National Guard, where she raises awareness for suicide prevention and volunteers her time assisting with veterans’ healthcare issues. She is also a Fellow of the International Diabetes Federation.
CPN Certification Advocate Award
PNCB's annual CPN Certification Advocate Award recognizes a Certified Pediatric Nurse who is an outstanding advocate for certification at the local, hospital, regional, or national level. Recipients demonstrate excellence in promoting certification as well as other areas of pediatric nursing, such as clinical skills, family-centered care, implementing evidence-based practice, or mentoring.
Abigail Dreyer, BSN, RN, CPN is a dedicated pediatric nurse committed to advancing excellence in child health through advocacy, compassion, and evidence‑based practice. She earned her Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) credential as a reflection of her commitment to clinical expertise and professional growth. Dreyer is passionate about providing family‑centered care and serving as a strong advocate for vulnerable pediatric populations. Throughout her nursing career, she has demonstrated a commitment to lifelong learning and leadership within the pediatric nursing community. Receiving the CPN Advocate Award recognizes her ongoing dedication to elevating standards of care and supporting positive outcomes for children and families. Dreyer continues to seek opportunities to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of pediatric nursing practice.
Building a Better Workplace (Team) Award
PNCB's Building a Better Workplace (Team) Award is a team-based award that recognizes a pediatric-focused team that is making a difference. We want to hear how your team has implemented strategies to address barriers for nurses within the pediatric specialty.
Manning Family Children’s Pediatrics and Specialty Care – Covington is a satellite location of a 228-bed, not-for-profit pediatric medical center. This exceptional group, with a dedicated team of more than 20 staff members, is not only pediatric-focused but also deeply team-oriented, interdisciplinary, and committed to professional development. The team consistently rallies together to support one another through life events and professional milestones. They actively serve their local community through events such as Girls Health Day, Health Pop-up, Back to School Boogaloo and Boo Fest, which benefits Access Louisiana, an organization helping families of children with disabilities obtain adaptive equipment and home modifications not covered by insurance. They are committed to delivering exceptional care to children and families on the Northshore.
Meet Our 2026 Scholarship Honorees
PNCB supports the future of pediatric nursing through our scholarship programs that provide assistance to talented students and nurses pursuing advanced education, ensuring a skilled workforce for tomorrow's pediatric patients. Get to know the bright minds who are poised to shape the future of our profession.
Registered Nurse (RN) Student Empowerment Scholarship
PNCB's Registered Nurse (RN) Student Empowerment Scholarship supports the education of an undergraduate nursing student who is pursuing a degree to become a registered nurse and has a strong interest in pediatric nursing for their future.
Diana Ojeda is a dedicated nursing student at Chamberlain University College of Nursing, demonstrating a strong passion for pediatric care and advocacy for children and their families. She is committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care and consistently strives for excellence across both her academic and clinical experiences. Her professional interests include pediatric nursing, family-centered care, and advancing health equity within the community.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Opportunity & Engagement Scholarship
PNCB and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Opportunity & Engagement Scholarship focuses on supporting the education of a pediatric-focused nurse who is committed to advancing the profession, and who is pursuing a degree as a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP).
Elena Raney, BSN, RN, CPN, is a first-year Doctor of Nursing Practice student at the University of Washington, specializing in Pediatric Acute Care. She works as a Charge Nurse on the Peri-Anesthesia Unit at Seattle Children’s Hospital and brings over a decade of pediatric experience across medical and peri-anesthesia settings. She is passionate about pediatric health, global health, and advancing equitable access to high‑quality acute care. Raney has contributed to multiple Quality Improvement initiatives, including the multidisciplinary Perioperative Microsystems team, where she helped improve inpatient‑to‑operating room efficiency by reducing delays and increasing throughput. Outside of work and school, Raney enjoys paddleboarding, gardening, hiking, and running. She also loves spending time with family and friends, tending to her many houseplants, and creating art.
PNCB-SPN Conference Scholarship
Each year, PNCB and the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) award a joint PNCB-SPN Joint Conference Scholarship to a PNCB-certified nursing professional who is also an SPN member. SPN provides complimentary conference registration, and PNCB provides a travel honorarium. Two outstanding nursing professionals received the scholarship this year.
Dianne (Deedy) Richoux, MSN, RN, CPN, is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Nicholls State University, where she teaches in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and serves as Course Coordinator for Nursing and the Childrearing Family. Her academic career reflects a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, student mentorship, and curriculum development. She has been recognized with the Academic Affairs Award for Teaching Excellence and the Excellence in Scholarly Activity Award for her contributions to nursing education and research. Her scholarly work focuses on pediatric end-of-life care and practice readiness among new graduate nurses. A Certified Pediatric Nurse and active member and leader within the Society of Pediatric Nurses, she is deeply dedicated to preparing compassionate, competent nurses who are equipped to care for children and families across diverse healthcare settings.
Hanna Swenseth, BSN, RN, CPN, is a dedicated pediatric nurse committed to advancing high-quality, family-centered care. She is the recipient of the SPN/PNCB Joint Scholarship for the 2024 SPN Conference, an opportunity she values to deepen her clinical expertise and strengthen her impact on patients, families, and colleagues. Swenseth is passionate about continual learning, professional growth, and contributing to the pediatric nursing community.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Are you or a peer making a difference in pediatric nursing? We encourage you to consider applying for our 2027 award and scholarship programs. Applications will open later this year. Visit our Awards & Scholarships page for eligibility criteria, application guidelines, and important dates.
Thank you for being a vital part of this incredible community!
