Dr. Casey Hooke Distinguished Service Award

Established in 1995, this award was created and named in honor of APHON’s 15th president, Dr. Casey Hooke. Casey guided APHON through a turbulent time for the association. Each year since 1995, the Dr. Casey Hooke Distinguished Service Award has been presented to an APHON member who has demonstrated excellence in service to and leadership of APHON.
The recipient of this award receives a $1,000 honorarium and recognition at the APHON Annual Conference, in a press release, and an announcement is set to the recipient’s immediate supervisor/employer.
Requirements for Consideration:
- A registered professional nurse who has demonstrated exemplary service through leadership to APHON.
- A member in good standing of APHON.
- A nurse whose leadership and service have enhanced the reputation, growth, and development of the association.
- A nurse, who by example, has fostered or mentored the leadership potential of other APHON members.
- A nurse who has consistently provided significant service to APHON through volunteer activities at the local and/or national levels.
The APHON Board of Directors determines the award recipients.
Dr. Casey Hooke Distinguished Service Award Recipient

The 2026 Dr. Casey Hooke Distinguished Service Award was granted to Misty Evans, PhD DNP APRN CPNP-AC TCTCN™ FAPHON.
Misty is honored for her longstanding leadership, service, and dedication to APHON. Throughout her volunteer service, she has contributed as a Board member, committee leader, educator, long-time volunteer, local chapter founder, and champion for evidence-based practice and research. Her commitment to advancing pediatric hematology and oncology nursing, developing future leaders, and strengthening APHON’s programs and initiatives has had a lasting impact on the organization and the nurses it serves.
Pictured are Past President Casey Hooke, Misty Evans, and APHON President Amy Newman.
Past Award Recipients
- 2025: Janice Nuuhiwa, MSN RN NPD-BC CPHON®-Emeritus FAPHON
- 2024: Kristin M. Belderson, DNP MS RN CPON® FAPHON
- 2023: Joan O’Hanlon Curry, DNP MS RN CPNP-PC NEA-BC CPON® FAAN
- 2022: Carol Kotsubo, MPH MS APRN CPON®-Emeritus
- 2021: Susan Burke, MA RN CPNP CPHON®
- 2020: Kathy Perko, MSN RN PPCNP-BC CHPPN® CPLC® CPON® FPCN®
- 2019: Deborah A. Lafond, DNP PPCNP-BC CHPPN CPON®
- 2018: Genevieve V. Foley, MSN RN OCN®
- 2017: Jami S. Gattuso, MSN RN CPON®
- 2016: Beth A. Siever, MSN RN CPNP CPON®
- 2015: Cynthia Stutzer, MS RN
- 2013: Deborah Freiburg, MSN RN
- 2012: Joetta DeSwarte Wallace, MSN RN FNP-C
- 2011: Rebecca Ann Monroe, MSN RN CPNP
- 2010: Rita L. Secola, MSN RN CPON®
- 2009: Lona Roll, MSN RN
- 2008: Kathy Ruccione, MPH RN FAAN
- 2007: Karla D. Wilson, MSN RN FNP-C CPON®
- 2006: Jean H. Fergusson, EdD RN CRNP
- 2005: Wendy Landier, MSN RN CPNP CPON®
- 2004: Nancy E. Kline, PhD RN CPNP FAAN
- 2003: Angela Ethier, MSN RN CNS CPN
- 2002: Cindy Burleson, MSN RN CPON®
- 2001: Dianne Fochtman, MN RN CPNP
- 2000: Francis Wiley, MN RN
- 1999: Patricia Greene, PhD RN FAAN
- 1998: Marilyn Hockenberry-Eaton, PhD RN
- 1997: Pamela Hinds, PhD RN CS
- 1996: Cheryl Conatser, MS RN CPON®
- 1995: Casey Hooke, MSN RN CPON®