Nominations open for BHECN annual awards – Due Dec. 15
You are invited to submit nominations for the 2025 BHECN Annual Awards. The awards recognize people who have made significant contributions towards improving behavioral health for people living in Nebraska.
There are four award categories: three categories recognize students, trainees, or professionals. The fourth category recognizes individuals or people who live with mental illness.
Nominations for all awards are due December 15.
2025 Ambassador Award
The Ambassador Award recognizes outstanding efforts of a professional or post-graduate trainee to reach out to other students/providers in building the future behavioral health care workforce across the state of Nebraska.
Criteria
- Focus on rural and/or underserved populations.
- Demonstrated commitment to practice in Nebraska.
- Activities related to workforce recruitment and mentoring activities.
- Commitment/recognition of multidisciplinary approach to behavioral health.
Past recipients:
2014 – Marin Broucek, MD, and Nate Bruce, DO.
2015 – Melissa O’Dell, MD, and Tara Sjuts, PhD.
2016 – Anitra Warrior, PhD, and Catherine Jones-Hazledine, PhD.
2017 – No award given.
2018 – Nancy L. Foster, PhD, and Kristen C. Hembree, PhD.
2019 – Shanna Rosentrater, LMHP and Ciera Afrank
2020 – Carrie Howton, PhD, LIMHP and Kim Hill, PhD, LP, NCSP
2021 – No award given
2022 – Narayana M Koduri, MD
2023 – Robin Conyers and Cecilia Poon, PhD
2024 – Melissa Lafferty, PhD
Access the Ambassador Award nomination form.
2025 Courage Award
The Courage Award recognizes outstanding service and outreach to the behavioral health community by a consumer of services or a family member.
Criteria
- Ongoing service to the behavioral health community in Nebraska.
- Impact on education and awareness of behavioral health issues in the broader community.
- Ongoing consumer focus beyond the needs of self/loved one.
- Scope of impact/sustainability of actions.
Past recipients:
2014 – Kristi Barth
2015 – Amie Nelson
2016 – Robert Donlan
2017 – No award given
2018 – Jennifer Alquicira, CPSWS
2020 – Havalynn Russell and Marion Perry-Burse
2021 – No award given
2022 – Mary E. Angus
2023 – Laurie Halpenny
2024 – Janetta Lenstrom
Access the Courage Award nomination form.
2025 Champion Award
The Champion Award recognizes outstanding service and outreach to the behavioral health community by a post-graduate trainee or health care professional. (Please note: This category has been expanded to include post-graduate trainees as possible awardees.)
Criteria
- Ongoing service to the behavioral health community in Nebraska.
- Impact on education and awareness of behavioral health issues in the broader community.
- Ongoing consumer focus.
- Scope of impact/sustainability of actions.
Past recipients:
2020 – Ann Young, PMHNP, APRN and Chelsea S. Turner
2021 – No award given
2022 – Celeste Akers
2023 – Ken Shaffer, MD
2024 – Laura Sanchez, LICSW
Access the Champion Award nomination form.
2025 Behavioral Health Emerging Leader Award
This award recognizes outstanding efforts of an undergraduate or graduate-level student who demonstrates leadership and commitment to advancing behavioral health in Nebraska.
Criteria
- Undergraduate or graduate-level student in good academic standing whose education is behavioral health-oriented.
- A track record of championing behavioral health issues and creating awareness within their community.
- Demonstrated commitment to serving Nebraska
- Engagement in leadership activities in their home program or their community related to behavioral health.
Past recipients:
2024 – Hayden Wallace
Access the Behavioral Health Emerging Leader Award nomination form.