They have been called “Super Nurse,” miracle worker, and visionary. This year’s group of 10 UT Southwestern nurses to receive D Magazine’s 2024 Excellence in Nursing Awards also include continent-spanning educators, process improvement champions, and tireless patient advocates.

Each March, North Texas nurses are recognized in the magazine’s annual list across three categories: Direct Care, Education/Research, and Leadership. Hundreds of nominations are received from medical professionals, patients, and peers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. A panel of registered nurses from various fields, each bringing their own expertise, carefully evaluates every nominee to identify the foremost practitioners of nursing excellence.

“It is truly an honor to see 10 of our UT Southwestern nurses being acknowledged for their exceptional contributions to the North Texas community,” said Susan Hernandez, D.N.P., M.B.A., RN, Associate Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “They epitomize the essence of nursing with their boundless empathy, dedication to learning and research, and advocacy for our patients’ needs. Their impact at UT Southwestern is profound, and I could not be prouder of these remarkable individuals.”

Click on each of the names below to learn more about our winning nurses.

Direct Care

• Gabrielle Gonzales, B.S.N., RN
• Sheena John, B.S.N., RN
• Kaitlyn Thomas, B.S.N., RN
• Rhonda White, B.S.N., RN

Education/Research

• Maria Crain, M.A., APRN, CPNP-PC
• Linda Denke, Ph.D., RN, CCRC

Leadership

• Robert Castillo Jr., D.N.P., M.H.A., RN, CCRN, BSRT (R)(T)
• Bradley Goettl, D.N.P., APRN, FNP-C, AGACNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP, FAAN
• Christi Nguyen, D.N.P., RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, CENP
• Nancy Palacios, D.N.P., APRN, FNP-BC, NE-BC