Unanimously created by the 2005 ISAPN Board of Directors, the Marie Lindsey Spirit of Advanced Practice Nursing Award honors the legacy of ISAPN's first-ever president, Marie Lindsey.  

Dr. Lindsey has been a voice of strength, wisdom, knowledge, and leadership for Advanced Practice Nurses for decades. Even before her tenure with ISAPN, Dr. Lindsey was a front-line force in the pursuit of legislation to recognize Advanced Practice Nurses in Illinois. 

What Makes a Winner?

This award embodies the ideals of Dr. Marie Lindsey. The award criteria required to be nominated brings a spotlight to the true nursing leaders of Illinois. Iesha has personified these ideals, bringing life to the legacy of Dr. Lindsey. 

Award Criteria:

• Demonstrates excellence as an advanced practice registered nurse 
• Role model for other APRNs
• Has made significant contributions to the improvement of care
• Creative in his/her approach to advanced practice nursing
• Has a positive effect on clients and professional growth of nursing colleagues
• Utilizes current research to enhance the quality of care
• Currently a member of ISAPN

Introducing: Iesha Coleman-Nwagwu

Iesha Nwagwu is a Family Nurse Practitioner in Orland Park, Illinois. As an incredibly compassionate APRN, Iesha personifies the Award Criteria and makes a remarkable leader. 

“I am so grateful and honored to have been awarded the Marie Lindsey Spirit of Nursing award. As nurses, we often give so much without a second thought. Providing care, educating, and advocating is what we are trained to do.  We go beyond the call of duty because it's in our hearts. Beyond the call of duty represents the “Marie Lindsey Spirit, ” of leadership, commitment, and achievement. Leadership by setting a path for others to follow. Commitment to providing holistic care for all and the ongoing fight for advocacy and achievement to improve issues that impact Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.”

Iesha’s nomination statement outlines exactly the type of nurse leader she is:

"I am nominating Iesha Coleman-Nwagwu MSN, APRN, CDP, FNP-BC for the Marie Lindsey Award. With her 18 years of healthcare-related experience, Iesha has been an exemplary role model through many actions. These actions include: simply providing basic human kindness for all through her work and everyday life, providing compassion, creating an open environment of comfort and safety, respecting all, unconditional acceptance, and being willing not only to educate but also embrace and share a lesson learned.

Iesha has actively participated as membership committee chair for the ISAPN board of directors and continues to serve on the membership committee. As a membership committee member, Iesha is involved with creating engaging ideas to recruit and maintain memberships. Iesha demonstrates her role as a leader by using every opportunity to network through school, community, and work-related outreach to spread awareness of ISAPN; who we are, what we do, and the benefits of joining a network of prestigious professionals. Iesha has most recently vowed to stay at the forefront of advocating for policies that affect practice by becoming a member of the government relations/PAC committee. She continues her dedication to the profession by vowing to never stop advocating for APRNs."

ISAPN: Celebrating Achievements and Empowering Excellence  

ISAPN is proud to have members like Iesha Coleman-Nwagwu. As an active member of our organization, she proudly represents the legacy of Dr. Maria Lindsey. 

Congratulations to Iesha for winning the 2023 Maria Lindsey Spirit of Advanced Practice Nursing Award! 

Join ISAPN and become a part of a network of nursing professionals dedicated to advancing the nursing profession. Together, we can build on the foundation laid by visionaries like Dr. Maria Lindsey and celebrate the accomplishments of individuals like Iesha.