Christina Llanez, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNML

Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Christina Llanez, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNML, is a dynamic nurse leader with over 9 years of nursing leadership experience. She is currently the Director of Nursing Professional Development at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. In this position, she has direct oversight for the Clinical Specialist/Education Team, the Horizon Nurse Residency Program, and the Student Nurse Intern Program, as well as, the Nursing Leadership Development Program and the Professional Development Ladder. Prior to her current role, Christina served as the Nursing Excellence Manager. In 2017 and 2019, Christina was recognized as the Transformational Leader of the Year. She has drove the implementation of innovative insitu medical mock codes and behavioral mock codes through simulation technology. Christina has been pivotal in developing pipeline programs through active participation in academic partnerships. 

She successfully led the organization’s initial American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Transition Program (PTAP) accreditation with distinction in 2017, making Nicklaus the second hospital in the nation to receive this recognition. She led the achievement of the organization’s 2^nd and 3^rd ANCC PTAP reaccreditation with distinction. In 2023, Christina successfully co-led the organization’s 5^th ANCC Magnet re-designation, making Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, one of only five children’s hospitals to achieve this milestone.

 What did it mean to you to be awarded the Program Director of the Year? 

Being the recipient of the 2025 ANCC PTAP Program Director of the year is a tremendous honor that I feel fortunate to have received. This award reflects the collective efforts of an incredible team at Nicklaus Children's Hospital who have supported the Horizon Nurse Residency Program and are committed to continuous improvement and excellence in nurturing the next generation of nurses. 

 What do you feel are key elements to being a successful program director?

A few key elements to being a successful program director include collaboration with key stakeholders to establish a vision for the nurse residency program, advocacy and support for nurse resident development and growth, and obtaining stakeholder buy-in. As a program director it is important to continue to integrate evidence-based practice to support nurse resident development as well as apply feedback and out of the box thinking to continue to advance the program and its impact on nursing practice and patient care outcomes. 

 What words of encouragement do you have for current program directors? 

As program directors, the work that we do matters. Keep striving, keep improving, and keep championing excellence in nurse transition to practice programs! 

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Michele Young, MSN, RN, NPD-BC

Hendricks Regional Health

Michele Young is the Nurse Residency Program Director for Hendricks Regional Health. Michele has served in the nursing profession for 25 years. She achieved her Master’s in Nursing Education and is board certified in Nursing Professional Development.

Since 2022, Michele has served as an American Nurses Credentialing Center Practice Transition Accreditation Program appraiser. She has published effective and novel nurse residency program design elements and creative teaching modalities in peer-reviewed journals. She shares time with colleagues and professional organizations and has presented to regional, national, and international audiences.

Through her leadership, Hendricks Regional Health was among the first hospitals in the state to integrate Nationally recognized standards, providing evidence-based approaches for transitions in practice across various roles and levels in nursing.

 What did it mean to you to be awarded the Program Director of the Year? 

 Receiving this amazing award meant so much to me and to our organization. It helps validate all the hard work and dedication so many of our associates have contributed to making our uniquely designed program as successful as it is. This award is dedicated to all of them. I’m so honored to be a part of ANCC PTAP. Humbled to be the Director of our incredible program. Most of all, proud of all our nurse residents! We love watching them gain the courage and confidence to spread their wings and fly.

 What do you feel are key elements to being a successful program director?

I believe the key elements of being a successful program director are advocacy and outcomes. Much of my role is advocating for the needs and continued approval of the program design. Numbers talk to the people who make the decisions. I take every opportunity to share our positive outcomes as evidenced by continually being above the benchmark when compared to other organizations and residency programs. 

 What words of encouragement do you have for current program directors?

Keep your chin up! Some days are weary while others are wonderful! Remind yourself daily of the reason you wanted to be a program director. Remember the reason we all do it. We are helping to shape the future of the nursing profession! Stand firm on that truth when advocating, supporting, leading, and implementing your programs. 

Simmy King DNP, MS, MBA, RN-BC, NE-BC, CHSE, FAAN

Children's National Hospital

Simmy King is the Chief Nursing Informatics and Education Officer at Children’s National Hospital and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. King leads the development and strategic implementation of information systems, technology, and education to advance clinical practice. She has produced measurable outcomes in nursing education and technology adoption to support academic progression, prepare practice-ready nurses and to advance diversity within the nursing workforce.

Since 2021, Dr. King as served as an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program appraiser. In addition, she serves as Treasurer for the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Board of Directors, At-Large Member for the Virginia Organization for Nursing Leadership (VONL) Board of Directors and as a Commissioner for the City of Fairfax, Commission for Women. As a Commissioner, she advises the mayor and city officials on legislative and policy matters relating to women and girls; advocating to address their needs, eliminate discriminatory structures and practices, and to advance equity.

Dr. King holds a DNP from The George Washington University, an MBA/MHA from the University of Maryland, Global Campus and a BSN from the University of Toronto.

 What did it mean to you to be awarded the Program Director of the Year?

Receiving this award was an incredible honor. For me this award is not just a recognition of my role as a Program Direction, but rather a reflection of the incredible team and program we have at Children’s National. Our Transition to Practice Program has been committed for more than two decades to meet the needs of nurse resident and ensure their success as they transition into practice, that makes me very proud.

 What do you feel are key elements to being a successful program director?

• The elements that support my success include having leadership buy-in about the value this program brings to our organization, having a strong team and collaborating with all stakeholders.
• Building relationships with nurse residents has been is vital to my success and the program’s success. It is through these connections that I can develop a deep understanding of what they need to succeed. This allows me to be a strong advocate for the resources needed to have a sustainable and successful program.
• Use a data-driven approach, whether it is quantitative or qualitative data, formative or summative...use this data for continuous improvement, to spark innovation and creativity, and share what you learn with others. We have built this incredible community of accredited programs, there is so much to learn from each other, seek guidance and mentorship, and to share and adopt best practices.

 What words of encouragement do you have for current program directors?

As a Program Director you have led your program to accreditation and you exude excellence. I hope you remind yourselves every day of the extreme importance of the work you are doing. You are influencing the future of healthcare, the healthcare workforce and health outcomes.

Kim Failla, PhD, RN, NE-BC, NPD-BC

Sharp HealthCare

Dr. Kim Failla is Director for Sharp HealthCare’s Terrence and Barbara Caster Institute for Nursing Excellence and Clinical Associate Professor at University of San Diego. Kim is also an appraiser for the American Nurses Credentialing Center Practice Transition Accreditation Program.

In the director role, she oversees the system nurse residency, transition in practice, preceptor, and mentor programs at Sharp HealthCare. Dr. Failla is active in the Association of California Nurse Leaders where she is chair of the Nursing Research and EBP Committee. She is a presenter at regional, national, and international conferences. 

 What did it mean to you to be awarded the Program Director of the Year?

 It was an honor and a joy to be awarded the Program Director of the Year. There were many worthy candidates, and I am certain that the nomination committee had difficulty in selecting the awardee.

 What do you feel are key elements to being a successful program director?

 Two key elements to being a successful program director include advanced education, and a mindset of continuous process improvement. Because PTAP accredited program standards require the identification of program goals and quality outcomes, having an advanced education helps in identifying, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting data (my organization uses the statistical program – SPSS). Regarding continuous process improvement, my healthcare organization values and embraces Lean Six Sigma and in 2019, I became a Green Belt to help with improving processes by increasing efficiency and operational performance.

 What words of encouragement do you have for current program directors?

 Stay involved with all healthcare organization functions. By keeping attuned to what’s going on in other areas of your healthcare, a program director can build highly effective transition programs. Never stop learning! Put yourself out there by getting an advanced education, by becoming certified, and through conference offerings. Be involved! Join applicable professional organizations because networking and collaboration are key to knowing what is going on locally, nationally, and frankly, globally.