Orvis School of Nursing faculty were recognized for their outstanding contributions to nursing education, rural healthcare and professional leadership at the 2026 Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement Awards event on May 15, 2026. 

The annual awards event celebrates nurses across Northern Nevada who exemplify excellence in patient care, education, leadership and service to their communities. This year, Dr. Megan Pratt, Julie Sawyer, MSN, RN and Dr. Kim Baxter were among those honored, reflecting the School’s commitment to preparing the next generation of nurses while advancing healthcare throughout Nevada. 

"Every day, Orvis faculty members show up as leaders at local, regional and national levels,” Dr. Charles Yingling, dean of the Orvis School of Nursing, remarked. "It’s a fitting recognition that these three incredible nurses were recognized for their accomplishments.” 

Dr. Megan Pratt receives Education Award 

Megan Pratt received the Education Award, which recognizes nurses whose primary focus is student, staff or patient education in academic or healthcare settings. 

An associate professor and track leader for the Family Nurse Practitioner program, Pratt was recognized for her leadership in nursing education, curriculum innovation and student mentorship. 

Among her many contributions, Pratt has advanced competency-based learning, integrated evidence-based geriatric care principles into nursing curricula and helped develop community-based clinical experiences that connect students with vulnerable and underserved populations. She has also led initiatives that give students meaningful opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings while expanding access to care throughout the region. 

Through her teaching, scholarship and mentorship, Pratt has influenced countless nursing students and emerging nurse practitioners, helping build a skilled and compassionate healthcare workforce. 

Julie Sawyer recognized for Rural and Community Health 

Julie Sawyer was honored in the Rural and Community Health category, which recognizes nurses working to improve health outcomes in rural communities and community-based healthcare settings. 

Sawyer, the track leader for the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the Lake Tahoe campus, was recognized for her leadership in developing a rural, community-focused nursing education pathway. 

She developed a curriculum focused on community assessment, social determinants of health, interprofessional collaboration and emergency preparedness in low-resource environments. Once fully implemented, the BSN program at the Lake Tahoe campus is expected to help expand the rural nursing workforce by preparing approximately 32 bachelor’s-prepared nurses annually to serve rural communities throughout Nevada. 

Sawyer also maintains an active clinical practice in a critical access hospital, ensuring her teaching remains grounded in the realities of rural healthcare.  

Dr. Kim Baxter honored with Lifetime Achievement Award 

Kim Baxter received the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing nurses who have made exceptional contributions to the profession.

With more than four decades of nursing experience and nearly 30 years as a family nurse practitioner, Baxter has built a career defined by clinical excellence, educational leadership and mentorship. Her experience spans critical care, trauma, emergency and cardiovascular nursing, and she has helped shape generations of nurses through her teaching and guidance. 

Throughout her career, Baxter has contributed to nursing scholarship through research and publications focused on clinical reasoning and interprofessional education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a key role in helping nursing students continue their education through innovative training and support strategies. 

A fellow of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Baxter has also provided leadership through service on statewide and community boards and committees dedicated to advancing nursing education and healthcare quality. Her commitment to student success extends beyond the classroom, including establishing emergency financial support for nursing students facing unexpected hardships. 

Known for her dedication to mentorship and passion for helping others succeed, Baxter’s influence can be seen across the nursing profession through the students, faculty and healthcare leaders she has inspired throughout her career. 

Celebrating nursing excellence 

Through their dedication to educating future nurses, expanding access to care and investing in the success of others, Pratt, Sawyer and Baxter exemplify The Wolf Pack Way. Their work extends far beyond the classroom and clinical setting, creating a lasting impact for students, patients and communities across Nevada.