ABPANC Celebrates Certified Nurses at ASPAN 2026 Celebration Luncheon

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ABPANC Celebrates Certified Nurses at ASPAN 2026 Celebration Luncheon

At the 2026 ASPAN National Conference, ABPANC hosted its annual Celebration Luncheon, bringing together perianesthesia nurses from across the country to recognize the impact, excellence, and commitment of CPAN® and CAPA® certified professionals.

This year’s event reinforced ABPANC’s focus on connection, recognition, and the meaningful role certification plays in advancing both patient care and the nursing profession.

A Message of Health, Hope, and Humor

The 2026 keynote featured Karyn Buxman, RN, MSN, neurohumorist, and internationally recognized speaker, who delivered an engaging and science-based program on Health, Hope, and Humor in Nursing.

Drawing from her clinical background and expertise in the intersection of humor, resilience, and brain science, she highlighted how humor can serve as a practical tool to support well-being, strengthen resilience, and sustain nurses in demanding environments.

Recognizing Excellence Across the Profession

A central focus of the luncheon was the recognition of certified nurses, teams, and organizations whose contributions continue to elevate perianesthesia nursing.

The Certification Achievement Awards, announced earlier this year, on Certified Nurses Day, honored units where 75% or more of eligible nurses are CPAN or CAPA certified, which is a clear reflection of leadership, culture, and commitment to excellence.

2026 recipients included:

  • Cheyenne Regional Medical Center (WY) – SDS and PACU
  • Adventist Health – Hanford (CA) – Surgical Short Stay
  • Northeast Georgia Health System – Lumpkin (GA) – Preop/PACU/Post-op
  • Houston Methodist The Woodlands (TX) – PACU
  • Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital (TX) – PACU
  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (CA) – Seven units across PACU and perioperative services
  • Mercy Medical Center (MD) – Institute for Foot & Ankle Reconstruction and Crane Preop
  • Methodist Hospital, Jefferson Health (PA) – PACU

The Shining Star Awards recognized ASPAN Components that go above and beyond to promote certification through engagement, programming, and peer support.

2026 Shining Star recipients included:

  • PANAC (California)
  • RMPANA (Rocky Mountain)
  • TAPAN (Texas)
  • MNDAKSPAN (Minnesota/Dakotas)
  • MASPAN (Massachusetts)
  • VT/NH APAN (Vermont/New Hampshire)
  • NCAPAN (North Carolina)
  • CBSPAN (Chesapeake Bay)

Honoring Advocacy and Leadership

Among the most impactful moments of the luncheon was the recognition of individual award recipients whose work exemplifies excellence in action.

Advocacy Award – Eladio Sandefur, BSN, RN, CPAN

Eladio was recognized for his unwavering commitment to patient advocacy, clinical excellence, and team leadership. Known for going beyond expectations, he demonstrated extraordinary care by securing specialized resources for a patient in distress—improving both outcomes and experience.

Beyond individual patient care, Eladio contributes to airway training, competency development, shared governance, and evidence-based practice initiatives, including research on aromatherapy for postoperative nausea. His dedication to mentorship and certification further strengthens his team and the profession.

Excellence in Perianesthesia Nursing Leadership Award – Sandra Watts, RN, CAPA

The inaugural recipient of this award, Sandra Watts, was honored for more than 40 years of leadership in perianesthesia nursing. Her career reflects sustained excellence in clinical practice, education, and mentorship.

Recognized for developing others, fostering continuous learning, and elevating standards of care, Sandra has built a culture where both patients and nurses are supported. Her leadership embodies long-term impact—shaping not just practice, but the future of the profession.

Distinguished Service Awards: Honoring Lasting Impact

The ABPANC Distinguished Service Awards recognized individuals whose long-standing contributions have significantly advanced certification and the organization:

  • Vonda Fitch, RN, CPAN, CAPA, CCRN – Certification Division: With over 20 years of service, Vonda has shaped exam development and certification quality through leadership roles across multiple committees.
  • Kathleen Lombardo, RN, MS, CAPA – Governance Division: Kathleen’s leadership has guided ABPANC through key operational and strategic transitions, while also mentoring future leaders within the organization.

Strengthening Community and Purpose

Beyond recognition, the Celebration Luncheon continues to serve as a meaningful point of connection, bringing together nurses who share a commitment to excellence in a time when the profession continues to face ongoing challenges.

These moments reinforce a simple but important truth: certification is not just an individual achievement, but a shared commitment to safer care, stronger teams, and a more resilient workforce.

Looking Ahead

As ABPANC continues to expand its initiatives, including new examination preparation tools, enhanced recertification technology, and new pathways such as pediatric certification, the Celebration Luncheon remains a cornerstone event.

The 2026 program made it clear: when certification, leadership, and community come together, the impact extends far beyond the individual nurse, to patients, teams, and the future of perianesthesia care.