Important Dates:
Nominations Open: October 15, 2025
Nominations Due: January 21, 2026
Applicants notified via email by: March 2026
Recipients attending the ONS Congress® will be invited to meet with Connie Henke Yarbro and will be presented with this award at the Oncology Nursing Foundation reception or other programs.
Note: An individual cannot receive this award more than one time.
Award: Recipient receives special recognition through a range of Oncology Nursing Foundation (ONF) platforms and a physical award. Special press recognition through ONF including, but not limited to, a feature in the ONF newsletter, a feature on the ONF website, and a press release sent to recipient’s colleagues and employer.
Purpose: To recognize and support excellence in the mentorship of oncology nurses.
The primary selection focus is the nominee’s contribution to mentoring oncology nurses outside what is required in their work or employment responsibilities. Nominations that do not specifically highlight the nominee’s mentoring activity outside of their employment responsibilities will not be considered.
Nomination Requirements:
Nominations for this award must be submitted online via the ONF application system. Nominees must meet ALL eligibility requirements in order to be considered.
A nomination is not complete without the following:
at least three (3) specific examples of the nominee’s mentorship
specific examples of the nominee’s mentorship qualities
two letters of support, authored by separate individuals, that clearly articulate how the nominee has met and exceeded the award criteria
For this award, the Foundation defines “mentorship” as the exceptional influence, guidance, or direction provided by a mentor who significantly impacts the professional and personal growth of other oncology nurses. A nominee who meets this definition should embody specific qualities that are essential to mentorship. Below is an incomplete list of unique qualities the Foundation recognizes as essential to a mentor’s impact in oncology nursing.
An oncology nurse mentor:
is an active listener
is supportive
coaches mentees to discover their own insights solutions
is empathetic and understanding
has expertise in oncology nursing
gives constructive feedback
provides mentorship beyond what is required by their work or employment responsibilities
is a role model for others
has personal interest in their mentee(s)
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the award, the nominee must:
- Be a registered nurse with at least two (2) years of experience in oncology nursing.
- Have provided mentoring beyond what is expected within their work or employment responsibilities.
- Act as a mentor in a one-on-one capacity (mentors that focus primarily on programs that involve multiple mentees/cohort mentoring are not eligible); and
- Demonstrate excellence in the mentorship of others in the practice of oncology nursing in the academic, clinical or research setting
Letters of Support:
The nomination form must include two letters in support of the nominee that both clearly describe the following:
how the nominee has participated in mentoring relationships beyond what their work or employment responsibilities require (must include specific qualities that distinguish the nominee as a mentor)
the types of mentoring (academic, clinical, research) that the nominee has participated in
at least three (3) specific examples of mentorship activities the nominee has participated in that showcase their excellence in cancer nursing mentorship
the outcomes of the relationship between the nominee and those mentored
NOTE: each letter of support submitted must be authored by a separate individual; the nominator can be the author of one of the letters.
Points to Consider:
- Do not wait until the last day to start your nomination, as a quality and competitive nomination will take time to complete.
- Short essays and letters of support should be of good quality in terms of grammar, punctuation, syntax, conciseness and ability to answer the question. Ensure you submit a detailed response and use the word count(s) to your advantage.
- To strengthen your nomination, use free online tools such as Grammarly or have someone read over your nomination to ensure accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar.
How To Nominate:
- Nominations are currently closed; sign up for updates on the next award cycle.
- Email grants@onfgivesback.orgwith any questions.
- All questions must be submitted to the Foundation prior to 4:30 pm Eastern Time on the day of the application due date in order to receive a response prior to the deadline.
- No late applications will be accepted, and all applications must be submitted through the application platform.
Application deadline: Registration is closed
Notify me when registration is open2025 Award Recipient
Chinomso Nwozichi, PhD, RN, CMSRN, OCN®, FAAN
Assistant Professor, Kennesaw State University, Georgia