Claudia has had a 40+ year career in healthcare and has made many notable contributions to nursing. Claudia started as a Nutritionist in 1981 and eventually graduated with her BSN in 1996. Since then, she has worked as a tele/step-down nurse, charge nurse, Director of Cardiopulmonary Rehab, as well as house supervisor, and more. Claudia was instrumental in the development of the HeartBright Foundation, a charity based in Charlotte, NC, which provides education and funds preventive cardiology programs in economically disadvantaged communities. She was also awarded the SC Rehab Contributor Award in 2004 and was the recipient of the Novant Health Nursing Leadership Award in 2005. Claudia recently retired after serving the travel nurse industry as a Senior Director of Nursing for the past 10 years. Claudia has touched many lives, patients and peers alike, and TNAA is pleased to present her with this very prestigious award.