Six Exceptional Nurses, NPs Receive Excellence Awards
The Division of Nursing & Advanced Clinical Practice (DONACP) honored six outstanding Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) nurses at its third annual Excellence Awards ceremony, held on May 12, 2026, the final day of Nurses Week.
A collaboration among Columbia Nursing, CUIMC, and ColumbiaDoctors, the division fosters nursing and advanced clinical practice careers in service to excellent patient care.
“Nurses and nurse practitioners are leaders—not only in exam rooms and at the bedside, but as voices for policy, as drivers of quality and performance improvement, population health specialists, researchers studying novel approaches and ultimately, as the clinical backbone of how we operate and grow,” DONACP co-lead Jane Chaiyasit, DNP ’17, said in her opening remarks. “The division exists to support that leadership—to be an effective champion and resource for every nurse and advanced practice provider who wants to keep growing a career here at Columbia.”
Columbia Doctors chief operating officer Rae Vagg, chief medical officer Derek Mazique, and Ali Gharavi, chair, Department of Medicine, presented the awards, while DONACP co-lead Matthew Weiland provided closing remarks.
Three NPs of the Year and three Nurses of the Year were honored:
NPs of the Year
Ian Chiu, DNP ’21, chief NP, Department of Nephrology. “Ian is simply the best nurse practitioner we have ever had in our practice,” his nominator wrote, citing his “outstanding skill and genuine passion for patient care,” as well as his commitment to health equity, dedication to research, and mentorship of new NPs and students.
Eunie Park, Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology. “Eunie is the driving force behind the success of our inflammatory bowel disease program,” a colleague noted, citing her skill in translating complex medical needs into actionable care plans for families, and her “tireless advocacy” to ensure medication access. Patients describe her as a superb clinician and a reassuring, joyful presence.
Patricia Harren, DNP ’05, Department of Surgery, Liver Transplant. “She has been instrumental in the development and evolution of both the adult and pediatric liver transplant programs at Columbia, helping to build the infrastructure that supports our program—one of the nation’s leading transplant centers,” her colleagues wrote, noting that her impact “spans clinical care, program development, education, and leadership.”
Nurse of the Year
Katherine Nicole Sobá, MS ’20, Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Leukemia Service. “Her ability to assess complex oncology cases and develop individualized care plans has significantly enriched the quality of care in our department,” her nominator wrote. “She brings a calm, problem-solving mindset to every challenge, earning the trust and respect of colleagues and patients alike.”
Ana Esteban, director of quality improvement and regulatory compliance, ColumbiaDoctors. A trusted leader in quality and regulatory work at CUIMC for nearly a decade, she “exemplifies excellence in nursing through her leadership, out-of-the-box thinking, and commitment to patient care,” her nominator wrote. “Her thoughtful approach ensures regulatory compliance without creating unnecessary barriers to patient care—an essential balance in health care.”
Bryn McNamee-Tweed, Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology, Palliative Care. As the perinatal palliative care midwife for the neonatal comfort care program, “she is constantly looking three steps ahead, anticipating the needs of families and staff alike to ensure that no one is left to navigate these challenging cases alone,” her nominator wrote. “Her leadership is felt most deeply in the way she mentors and educates the nursing staff, providing them with the emotional and clinical tools required to handle the weight of neonatal loss with grace and professionalism.”