Congratulations to the 2025 Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Week award winners

This fall, the Office of Advanced Practice celebrated staff achievements and honored successes during the national APP awareness week. On Sept. 25, APPs gathered in the Considine Auditorium for dinner, the presentation of annual awards and networking.

Forty-nine APPs were nominated for 6 different award categories, and 9 departments were nominated for the Department of the Year award. Check out the complete list of nominees.

As part of the APP Week festivities, the legendary therapy pony, Willie Nelson, greeted department teams.

Congratulations to the 2025 award winners listed below.

APP Outstanding Novice of the Year: Micah Pistillo, PA-C

Micah Pistillo is an APP in Hospital Medicine. Highlights from her nomination included:

• Micah has actively contributed to the team’s ongoing innovation efforts through her involvement in the Short Stay Unit quality improvement project. Recognizing the importance of efficient, high-quality care in this fast-paced environment, she helped analyze patterns in patient flow and contributed to discussion on reducing length of stay without compromising safety and outcomes.
• Micah has been instrumental in improving the overall student placement process. This includes contributing to the design of structured pre- and post-rotation surveys to help track learner growth and improve the quality of our teaching environment. Micah’s approachable demeanor and enthusiasm for teaching make her a valued role model in our department.

APP Lifetime Achievement Award: Ruthie Youssefi, APRN-CNP

Ruthie Youssefi has worked on the Urology team for 17 years and was the first nurse practitioner (NP) to become a surgical assistant in the operating room. Highlights from her nomination included:

• Ruthie’s patients consistently rate her positively and request visits with her.
• Ruthie serves on multiple hospital committees, has led numerous quality improvement projects and provides teaching throughout the hospital, particularly in catheterization techniques.

APP Department of the Year: Pediatric Hospital Medicine

Akron Children’s Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) staff includes 16 outstanding APPs who are a model of leadership, adaptability, dedication, mentorship and collaboration. Highlights from their nomination included:

• The PHM team has grown from a consultation service to a 24/7, 365 support for high-quality care. Additionally, the team manages inpatient consults, surgical co-management and primary PHM services; staffs the infusion center; and performs pre-op optimization for medically complex, high-risk surgical patients.

Shining Star Award recipients

Shining Star Awards honor APPs in 5 categories for their dedication, leadership and excellent contributions to patient care, quality improvement, advocacy, education and research.

Community Health and Service: Jessica Westfall, APRN-CNP

This award recognizes an APP who works within the community.

•  Jessica’s nomination noted her work at Spine Screen events outside of the hospital that raise awareness of the importance of early detection and treatment that avoid the need for scoliosis surgery.
• Additionally, Jessica recognized disparities in scoliosis severity among patients from lower socioeconomic background and minority groups. She initiated a school-based scoliosis screening program in Akron Public Schools to promote early detection and referral to primary care.

Education: Ashley Jasinsky, APRN-CRNA

This award recognizes the APP who provides education of nursing at the bedside; departmental education of residents, RNs or APPs; facilitates podium presentations or conference planning; serves as a preceptor; and participates in APP Boot Camp.

• Ashley is an assistant professor at The University of Akron where she instructs multiple core courses in the nurse anesthesia DNP curriculum. Her nomination shared how she mentors doctoral projects focused on improving perioperative outcomes from gastric ultrasound to enhanced recovery protocols.
• Ashley chairs the Difficult Airway Committee, providing critical training for high-risk scenarios. Her airway simulations and workshops for the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit and Pain Center teams have directly improved response times and confidence in emergent airway management.

Leadership: Marlene Thompson, APRN-CNP

• Marlene works in Rheumatology and is the co-chair of the Provider Sports and Leisure committee. In this role, she plans a variety of events aimed at keeping APPs and physicians mentally and physically healthy.
• Marlene is known by many for her positive demeanor and having compassion shine through each day. Her nomination form included how she was instrumental in developing and running the hypermobility multidisciplinary clinic. Marlene completed the Improving Quality Initiative (IQI) and has led multiple successful quality improvement projects that have eased the flow of care and communication.
• Outside of the hospital, Marlene supports the Arthritis Foundation. She also dedicates time at the food bank and Habitat for Humanity.

Unity and Engagement: Jenny Michel, APRN-CNP, Director of the Advanced Practice Center

• Jenny has served as the director of advanced practice since 2021. During this time, Jenny has collaborated with Dr. Laura Pollauf to expand wellness offerings, structure subcommittees and put in place measurable practices that track provider burnout and well-being.
• Her nomination recognized the work and encouragement to use the Well-Being Index tool, an online resource designed to promote self-awareness and identify pockets of need across the organization. Jenny presents at national wellness conferences and continuously brings strategies back to Akron to enhance mental health and engagement among teammates.
• Jenny’s leadership and positive influence are felt throughout the APP community. From improving access to resources to championing equity and a professional environment, Jenny ensures that wellness and unity remain central to the department culture.

Scholarly Activities for Quality Improvement, Process Improvement and Research: Hali Baker, APRN-CNP

• Hali Baker works in pediatric surgery and trauma. After experiencing a tragic death of an accidental gunshot patient, Hali initiated a targeted quality improvement project to increase firearm safety screenings on the 6 Surgical Unit.
• Hali’s nomination shared that this project was driven by weekly EPIC and Clarity data with results increasing screenings from 51% to 90%.
• Hali promotes firearm safety education and distributes secure storage devices to families, a critical step toward prevention. Hali’s efforts reflect evidence-based implementation and improved efficiency in screening workflows. Hali presented outcomes at the Pediatric Trauma West (July 2025) and will present at the Pediatric Trauma Society (November 2025).

Two additional award winners were recognized during the event. Allison Lantz, MSN, APRN-CNP, received the award for Excellence in Practice. Dr. Daniel Goldstein, medical director of the Beachwood Outpatient Surgery Center and opioid stewardship director, was honored for Outstanding Physician for APP Advocacy. Allison and Dr. Goldstein received their awards in June during the annual medical staff meeting. Read a full story on the awards.