Shining Star Awards - Honoring Exceptional Nurses

King County Nurses Association presents annual Shining Star Awards to nurses who demonstrate excellence in their areas of practice or contribute significantly to the nursing profession or within the community. Recipients must be a member of King County Nurses Association.


Congratulations to our 2023 Shining Star Nurse Award Winners! 


Nominations for our 2024 nurse awards are accepted anytime with a deadline of March 15, 2024. Awards will be presented in spring at the Annual Gala.

Shining Star Application



2023 Award Winners

We are pleased to honor the KCNA 2023 Shining Star Awards! Join us in celebrating these exceptional nurses and individuals who have made considerable contributions to the King County nursing community:

Tonya Hill, RN

Beth Kruse, MSN, CNM, ARNP


Beth Kruse, MS, CNM, ARNP was nominated by co-worker Shayla Holcomb and Heather Maisen, Beth’s most recent supervisor. Beth retired in 2023 from Public Health, Seattle and King County.


Beth worked many years as a lead clinician supporting the Family Planning Program. Beth's local and national advocacy for access and provision of high quality sexual and reproductive health family planning services is especially important in today's political climate.


She assisted all people, regardless of age, sexual orientation, or ability to pay, and stands out as a patient-centered provider. A fierce advocate for marginalized communities, she built a nursing legacy committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health services.


Beth redeveloped clinical practice guidelines for our public health teams, developing quality practice standards like peer chart audits and provider chart reviews. Beth established care standards that will be continued for years to come. Beth expanded practice in this program to include more LGBTQ+ friendly services, telehealth access, Insti-HIV testing, PrEP treatment, as well as syphilis care and screening. With the overturn of Roe vs Wade, Beth has been a local subject matter expert and resource to help ensure our community and those coming into our community have low barrier access to abortion services. Beth has been a steward of informing leadership, and external partners about policies to safeguard abortion access. Beth has contributed her expertise to work groups, task forces and legislative advisory groups, helping to influence key policies. 


We are honored to present Beth Kruse with a 2023 Shining Star Award. Congratulations!


Lindsey Royal, RN, BSN

Rosa Young, MSN, RN


KCNA is honored to present a 2023 Shining Star Award to Rosa Young, MSN, RN. Rosa was nominated by Frankie Manning who knows Rosa through her volunteer work with KCNA and other community organizations.


Rosa has given 50 years of service to the community through nursing. In addition to her professional work, Rosa has applied her talents to her church, her community, and with professional organizations. She continued her nursing work even after retirement including involvement with First Place, Northwest Kidney Center, First AME of Seattle Church through their Health Ministry and many others. She is passionate about improving the health of undeserved communities and giving back. 


She actively volunteers as a leader in the nursing community including work with Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization, King County Nurses Association, Washington State Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association. Rosa managed the scholarship recipient program for Mary Mahoney for many years.


As a colleague explains, Rose Young models the three P's:

  • Persistence in getting work done.
  • Pride in her travels, work accomplishments, and service to family.
  • Promotion of health and wellness for her church and community members.


On top of that, Rosa is known for her amazing sense of humor and keen curiosity which has benefited all who have worked with her.  Congratulations on this well-deserved award, Rosa!

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