BREAKING: MD Anderson Cancer Center has just honored two exceptional nurses with the prestigious 2025 Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing. This significant recognition was announced yesterday, July 15, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the field of oncology nursing.
Kimberly Vanderhorst, MSN, RN, CAPA, and Terri Lynn Dunn, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, CPHQ, were both celebrated for their extraordinary contributions to patient care, solidifying their roles as leaders in the nursing community. This year, the Brown Foundation expanded the award to honor both a clinical registered nurse (RN) and an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) for the first time in the same year.
Vanderhorst received the award for clinical RN, while Dunn was recognized as the APRN awardee. Each awardee will receive $15,000, a commemorative crystal plaque, and a pin, with a total of $50,000 awarded across six finalists. This expansion is a testament to the Brown Foundation’s longstanding commitment to supporting oncology nursing excellence.
“We are incredibly grateful to The Brown Foundation for 44 years of unwavering support and commitment to honoring excellence in oncology nursing,”
said Kim Slusser, Ph.D., RN, MSN, NEA-BC, CHPN, interim chief nursing officer at MD Anderson.
The finalists were selected by a panel of clinical faculty, nursing leaders, and patient care administrators at MD Anderson. Vanderhorst, specializing in outpatient pediatric anesthesia care, has been with MD Anderson since 2013 and has taken on numerous leadership roles. Her nominators describe her as someone who embodies the healing spirit of MD Anderson.
Runner-up Holly Clark, BSN, RN, CNOR, has a strong background in brachytherapy and has been a pillar leader in Shared Governance. Leonard Pulido, BSN, RN, CMSRN, who specializes in complex neurological cancers, also received recognition for his dedication to mentoring new nurses.
On the APRN side, Dunn has been an integral part of MD Anderson since 2009, evolving from clinical roles in Gynecologic Oncology to an advanced practice provider manager. Her efforts include implementing nurse navigation systems and expanding clinical trial opportunities for underserved patients.
Runner-up Tomar Foster-Mills, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP in Radiation Oncology, and Susy Varghese, DNP, FNP, APRN, CMSRN in Pain Medicine, were also recognized for their contributions to patient care and clinical excellence.
MD Anderson’s nursing program, with over 5,000 registered nurses, has just received its sixth consecutive Magnet Recognition Program ® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, acknowledging its commitment to quality patient care and nursing excellence. This achievement further solidifies MD Anderson’s ranking as the nation’s No. 1 hospital for cancer care.
As Rosanna Morris, chief operating officer at MD Anderson, stated, “By creating an environment where our nurses can thrive, we ensure that our patients receive the best cancer care in the nation.”
This year marks the 44th anniversary of the Brown Foundation Award, which has seen significant contributions to oncology nursing since its inception in 1982. The foundation has awarded more than $1.6 billion in grants to support charitable initiatives, emphasizing education and community service.
As the nursing community celebrates these remarkable achievements, MD Anderson continues to advance its mission to end cancer, highlighting the vital role that nurses play in this journey.
Stay tuned for more updates on MD Anderson’s initiatives and the ongoing impact of these outstanding nurses in the field of oncology.
