
Two faculty at the UNC School of Nursing have been announced as recipients in the 2026 North Carolina Great 100 Nurse awards.
Faculty members Megan Williams, EdD, MSN, RN, FNP, and Lisa Woodley, PhD, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE, CHPN, ANEF were both named to the list this year, along with a number of alumni nurses at UNC Health locations. View the list here.
The award recognizes North Carolina nurses for their unwavering commitment to excellence and their efforts to promote a positive image of the nursing profession. These individuals will be recognized at the 38th Annual NC Great 100 Gala on September 26, 2026, at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC.
Carolina Nursing alumni
| Rachel Breazeale, BSN ’09 UNC REX Healthcare | Tasha Rose, MSN ’18 UNC Medical Center UNC Health Care | Stacey Sloan, BSN ’98 ECU Health Medical Center |
| Brigit Carter, PhD ’09 Duke University School of Nursing | Cindy Shaw, BSN ’85 Cone Health Wesley Long Hospital |
Carolina Nursing partners
| UNC Health Wayne | UNC Medical Center | UNC REX Healthcare | North Carolina Area Health Education Centers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iresha Bates | Jillian Cosgrove | Rachel Breazeale | Kathryn “Katie” Fitzpatrick |
| Lasuan Hicks | Christine Duffy | Caroline Domagtoy | |
| Phyllis Pigford | Heather Ritchie | ||
| Teresa Whitfield | Tasha Rose |
For more than three decades, The Great 100, Inc. has proudly celebrated registered nursing excellence across North Carolina. Since 1989, the mission of the organization has been to honor the extraordinary contributions of nurses who elevate the profession through their skill, compassion, and unwavering commitment to those they serve.
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