The Vanessa Howard APP of the Year Award

The Vanessa Howard Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year award honors a leader who inspires and supports their peers. This person takes initiative, improves the nursing environment, and provides excellent care every day.

Originally named the Advanced Practice Provider of the Year award, the award was renamed in 2024 after Vanessa Howard, a nurse practitioner who worked in Hematology at St. Jude. Howard dedicated her life to serving both patients and colleagues. With extensive knowledge and medical expertise, she mentored students, externs, nurses, advanced practice providers and fellows. 

Winners of this award show dedication to patients and families, helping improve outcomes through high-quality care while upholding the values of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They take initiative, improve the nursing environment, and provide excellent care every day.

2024 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year honoree

Vanessa Howard, FNP, dedicated 39 years to pediatric hematology at St. Jude, making a lasting impact on patients, colleagues, and the entire hospital community. She led the general Hematology clinic with expertise and compassion, always putting patients first. Known for her kindness, mentorship, and unwavering dedication, she was a trusted leader and role model.

Howard played a key role in developing the EAGER Clinic, improving care for patients with anemia and other blood disorders. Even while battling breast cancer, she remained committed to her patients and team. Her positive spirit, deep knowledge, and willingness to teach made her beloved by all.

Howard’s legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched. Her dedication, resilience, and kindness truly embodied the mission of St. Jude. She is deeply missed but will always be remembered as a remarkable caregiver, mentor, and friend. 

2023 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year honoree

Gina Sabbatini, MSPAS, PA-C, AAHIVS, has extensive experience caring for HIV-positive patients. She is committed to expanding her skills, educating others, and providing top-quality care.

Sabbatini was the first APP at St. Jude credentialed to insert Nexplanon and the only HIV clinic provider certified in high-resolution anoscopy, a procedure that helps detect and treat anal cancer early. She also pioneered in-house treatment for patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C, reducing wait times for care.

She also led recruitment and enrollment for an important clinical trial aimed at HIV prevention. 

Sabbatini also mentors future APPs. She actively shares her expertise at state health meetings and conferences, helping improve patient care and advance HIV treatment.

2022 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year honoree

Kim Proctor, PPCNP-BC, has been an APP at St. Jude for 34 years. A dedicated nurse practitioner, she loves sharing her knowledge and mentoring others.

Proctor started on the inpatient night shift before moving to days. She worked in bone marrow transplant, became a central line nurse for 7 years, and later joined Surgery, where she ran the line clinic. In 2005, she transitioned to Interventional Radiology. In 2022, she received the Jim Mobley Partner in Excellence Award.

Colleagues praise Proctor as a natural leader and mentor. She supports the Vascular Access Team, offering guidance, encouragement, and expertise in PICC insertion. Her calm presence reassures patients and inspires coworkers. Proctor’s dedication has shaped her team’s success, making her an invaluable asset to St. Jude.