Auburn Nursing alumni earn UAB Medicine’s highest nursing honor

Jackson Duke ’23 and Anna Herndon ’20 recognized with 2026 Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award

Two Auburn University College of Nursing alumni have been recognized among the top nursing professionals at UAB Medicine, earning one of the health system’s most prestigious honors for their commitment to exceptional patient care, clinical leadership and professional excellence.

Jackson Duke, BSN ’23, and Anna Herndon, BSN ’20, received the 2026 Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award, considered the highest honor available to nursing staff at UAB Medicine. Professional nurses and nursing support staff are selected for the award based on their nursing knowledge, technical expertise, leadership and dedication to improving patient outcomes while exemplifying UAB Medicine’s core values.

Though they serve vastly different patient populations, both Duke and Herndon credit their Auburn education with preparing them to succeed in demanding clinical environments and grow into nurse leaders early in their careers.

Herndon has worked in UAB’s Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit since graduating from Auburn in August 2020. Caring for critically ill and premature newborns quickly became her calling.

“I am deeply passionate about caring for this vulnerable population and cannot imagine working anywhere else,” Herndon said. “I feel blessed to have found so early into my career a unit that I love so deeply.”

Since joining the RNICU, Herndon has earned her neonatal intensive care nursing certification, become a Golden Week team member caring for infants born before 28 weeks gestation, and taken on leadership roles as a charge nurse and PICC-certified nurse.

Receiving UAB’s highest nursing honor was both meaningful and affirming, she said.

“Professionally, this award affirmed my commitment to continually strive for excellence, growth and lifelong learning in nursing,” Herndon said. “The day to day of neonatal nursing can be incredibly challenging with uncertain outcomes and the emotional weight of caring for this vulnerable population. This award served as a meaningful reminder that even on the hardest days, the care we provide makes a real and lasting difference.”

Duke joined UAB Medicine’s Cardiac Care Unit after graduating from Auburn in 2023 and has already established himself as a leader within the organization. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, he serves as a clinical associate for Auburn Nursing in the intensive care unit and has held leadership roles including charge nurse, preceptor and unit congress chair.

“Receiving the excellence award was quite the surprise and an absolute honor,” Duke said. “This award is the highest honor a nurse at UAB can be recognized with, so I believe it speaks to not only my care but also the effort I put into my job as a bedside nurse and my leadership.”

Both alumni point to Auburn Nursing as the foundation of their success.

“My experience at AUCON instilled in me the importance of lifelong learning, critical thinking, integrity and professionalism,” Herndon said. “The rigor of the program challenged me to strive for excellence.”

Duke echoed that sentiment, crediting Auburn faculty and coursework with shaping him as both a nurse and a leader.

“My professors and classes at AUCON developed my foundation of nursing and also my foundation as a leader in the clinical setting,” Duke said. “Choosing Auburn has been one of the best decisions of my life. Patients and coworkers have come to want Auburn nurses because of the reputation they have built.”

Both nurses also highlighted the lasting impact Auburn faculty had on their professional development.

“My Auburn professors had a significant influence on my nursing career,” Herndon said. “Their commitment to the nursing profession, as well as their dedication to us as students, showed me the importance of investing in those around you.”

For Duke, faculty and staff mentors including Dr. Kelley Noll, Kendall Henderson, Erin Thornton and Stephanie Wood inspired him to pursue excellence long after graduation.

“They greatly inspired me during nursing school to become the best student I could be and encouraged me to become the best version of myself,” he said.

When asked what advice they would offer future nurses, both alumni shared a common message rooted in their Auburn experience: remain committed to learning, give yourself grace and never lose sight of your purpose.

“Know your why,” Duke said. “When one knows why they are a nurse or aspiring to be, it makes the hard things easier to do and puts a purpose behind all things.”

Herndon agreed.

“Nursing is an incredibly rewarding profession, but it can also be challenging,” she said. “When you experience difficult days, going back to your ‘why’ can help you see the bigger picture and keep you encouraged, focused and motivated.”

Their recognition reflects not only individual achievement but also Auburn Nursing’s commitment to preparing graduates who lead with compassion, clinical excellence and a dedication to improving the lives of patients and families.