ABPANC Advocacy Award
The purpose of the ABPANC Advocacy Award is to publicly recognize the CPAN® and/or CAPA® certified nurse who exemplifies leadership as a patient advocate. Do you have a story to tell about how a CPAN and/or CAPA certified nurse advocated above and beyond one’s normal role to meet the needs of a perianesthesia patient and/or their family?
Nominations are due February 15 of each year, and winners will be recognized in-person at the CPAN/CAPA Celebration Luncheon held in conjunction with ASPAN National Conference.
Eligibility Requirements: The nominee must be currently CPAN and/or CAPA certified and demonstrate any or all of the following competencies:
- Provides Empathic Care: Accepts an individual’s underlying concerns and needs and provides education, comfort, and support as appropriate. Is direct and genuine in patient interactions, breaking through emotional barriers to identify the true needs.
- Uses Standards of Excellence: Ensures that patient care is based on or surpasses a standard of excellence. Implements specific changes in the current system or in work methods in order to improve performance and quality.
- Advocates for the Patient and/or Significant Others: Steps in to provide solutions that may not be readily apparent to meet identified needs of the patient or significant others. This may necessitate involving others to manage existing symptoms and matching solutions to identified needs.
- Takes initiative: Identifies a problem, obstacle, or opportunity and takes action without being directed, in order to address current or future problems or opportunities.
- Demonstrates Interpersonal Understanding: Is able to accurately hear and understand the spoken or partly expressed thoughts, feelings, and concerns of others. Has a deeper and more complex understanding of others that includes cross-cultural sensitivity.
As you prepare your nomination, please provide as many details as possible regarding the how the nominee meets the above criteria. Submissions are evaluated based on the depth of answers demonstrating the nominee’s impact on the patient/family as well as practice of perianesthesia nursing. Data, quotes, patient testimonials, etc. are highly encouraged.
Award winners receive:
- A plaque and recognition during the CPAN/CAPA Celebration Luncheon at the ASPAN National Conference
- A $350 cash award
- A scholarship toward his or her next recertification
- In the event that the employer cannot cover travel expenses to the event, ABPANC can provide airfare to the conference, as well as one nights of hotel plus for travel expenses, for the award winner.
Additionally, the nominator receives a $100 cash award, and the winner’s unit will receive aa $350 scholarship that can be used for things such as CPAN/CAPA certification exam fees, recertification fees, continuing education, books, etc.
Dolores “Dee” Buonacuore Named 2025 ABPANC Advocacy Award Recipient
ABPANC Conference awards luncheon
ABPANC has named Dolores “Dee” Buonacuore, BSN, RN, CAPA, of Virtua Marlton (NJ) as the recipient of the 2025 ABPANC Advocacy Award — the organization’s highest honor for a CPAN or CAPA certified nurse who exemplifies advocacy in action.
For over 25 years, the Advocacy Award has recognized nurses who blend clinical excellence with a fierce commitment to patient and team advocacy. Buonacuore stood out for her system-wide impact, collaborative leadership, and unwavering focus on patient safety.
Among her many contributions, she helped develop an electronic alert that flags patients with blood antibodies—ensuring safer, faster care across five hospitals and hundreds of care sites. She also intervened during a critical discharge decision, helping prevent harm to both a patient and their family member.
Known for tying every decision back to “why it matters for the patient,” Buonacuore is praised by colleagues for her mentorship, calm under pressure, and ability to drive meaningful change. Her leadership has strengthened education, staffing, and protocols throughout her health system.
ABPANC is proud to honor Dee Buonacuore for her exceptional advocacy and lasting contributions to perianesthesia nursing.