CPEN Awards

CPEN recognizes outstanding individuals, teams and programs in cancer patient education.

  • CPEN and non-CPEN members may submit nominations.
  • Self nominations are accepted and encouraged.
  • You may nominate an individual, team or program.
  • Nominations were accepted through Friday, August 14

Excellence in Cancer Patient Education

Recognizes a CPEN member or group of CPEN members who have significantly contributed to patient education. This award recognizes creative approaches to developing and/or disseminating patient education based on resources available.

 2019 Recipient:

  • Together, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 

Rising Star Award

Recognizes a CPEN member with 10 years or less of patient education experience, who exemplifies outstanding work in patient education. The award acknowledges the educator’s efforts in creating and/or sustaining cancer patient education programs. The “Rising Star Award” promotes the visibility and value of patient education within health care institutions, communities, and/or professional organizations

2019 Recipient:

  • Devon Poznanski, BC Cancer

    Founders Distinguished Service Award

    In honor of all the founders of the CPEN organization, this award is CPEN’s highest form of recognition. It is given to a CPEN member for her/his outstanding contribution to the practice and profession of patient education. This award acknowledges accomplishments and tangible contributions that have promoted excellence in patient education as an integral part of patient care.

     2019 Recipient:

    • Donna Branson, Huntsman Cancer Institute

    Gold Star Award

    Recognizes that cancer patient education is an aspect of quality care, shared by the entire community, and not the sole responsibility of cancer patient educators. The Gold Star award celebrates the achievements of individuals, groups, or organizations whose efforts in cancer patient education have resulted in extraordinary contributions to patients, families or health care practitioners.




    Award Recipients

    Together, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - Excellence in Patient Education

    Together is a comprehensive online resource for pediatric cancer patients and their families no matter where the patient is treated. It is developed and maintained by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Together launched in September 2018 a few years after James Downing, MD, St. Jude's chief executive officer (CEO), identified an unmet need among pediatric cancer patients and their families. They were often overwhelmed in their search for reliable, understandable information related to their child's disease and treatment. Dr. Downing asked the question: Why can't there be a site - an authoritative site - that gives parents everything they need to make the right decisions from diagnosis to treatment to next steps to long-term follow-up? The Together site is an important tool to help parents through the journey they face. They must make decisions that will alter their child's life, their own lives, and those of other family members.

    Past Winners 

    2018: OncoLink, University of Pennsylvania
    2017: Frankly Speaking About Cancer Clinical Trials, Cancer Support Community
    2016: Mariela Gallo, MPH, CHES
    2015: Family Cancer Retreat - Cancer Services of New Mexico
    2014: Tina Papadakos, MA Ed and University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center Clinical Trials Database Health Literacy Team
    2013: Hastings Breast Cancer Support Group 
    2012: Be the Match: Super Sam vs. the Marrow Monsters  
    2011: Matthew Ballo, MD for the Road to Wellness 
    2010: Maximizing Your Patient Education Skills (MPES) 
    2009: Caregivers’ Guide to Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant, Myra Jacobs 
    2008: The Learning Center at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center 
    2007: Diane Moyer, RN, MS, Ohio State University Medical Center, The Partnership for Health Care Education For Limited English Proficiency Patients 
    2007: Jean Hartford-Todd, CCLS, The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Medical Center 
    2003: Oncology Interactive Educational Series, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network 
    2001: Leah Mraz, BSN, RN, OCN, My Story: A Diary for People With Cancer, The Cancer Institute of  New Jersey    
    2000: Marilyn McCubbin, PhD, RN, FAAn, Kelly Cotter, BA, Michael Dystra, BS Outlook: Life Beyond Childhood Cancer, University of Wisconsin Cancer Center 
    2000: M.D. Anderson Patient Education Office, University of Texas 
    2000: Carolyn Weaver, RN, MSN, AOCN, Ask the Expert Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center 
    2000: Tanya Smith, BA & Patient and Public Education Departmental Staff, How to Help Your Loved One Stop Smoking, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah  
    1999: Amy Deshler, MSW, Kelli Fee-Schroeder, RN, and Kat Thieman, MBA, Setting Course to Reduce Your Risk of Cancer, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center 
    1999: Dr. Joel Goldwein and Dr. Ivor Benjamin, OncoLink, University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center 
    1999: Mary Sumpmann, Nancy Goldstein and Staff, Patient Learning Center, University of Minnesota Cancer Center

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