The 2011 Excellence in Nursing honorees, from left to right: Stephen Perez, Cathy Williams, Jacky Schultz, Carol Ryan, Nancy Munro, Heidi Maloni, Col. Bruce Schoneboom, Elizabeth Bradshaw, Helen Obidiran, and Deborah Thomas. Photographs by Eric Uecke and Kelci House

Out of hundreds of nominations in 2011, The Washingtonian selected ten extraordinary individuals to be honored with the Washingtonian Excellence in Nursing Award for their contributions in the field of nursing. All ten honorees and eight honorable mentions celebrated their achievement at the first annual Excellence in Nursing awards reception at the House of Sweden in Washington, DC. The event began with a cocktail reception, followed by a three-course seated dinner, a presentation of awards, and dessert. Crocs and NOVA Uniforms were sponsors of the event, and Children’s National Medical Center, Georgetown University Hospital, Inova Juniper Program, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Suburban Hospital, and VMT Long Term Care Management showed their support by sponsoring a table.