4 from U of A honored as 2026 Fab 50 Tucson nurses
Awardees were chosen by their peers for being role models and mentors, demonstrating concern for humanity and contributing to the community and the profession of nursing.
From left to right, Megan Peterson, MPH, RN; Pamela Fick, MS, RN, MBA; Janine Hinton, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE; and Julianne Davis, MSN Ed, RN, are all Fab 50 Nurses for 2026.
Photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez, U of A Health Sciences Office of Communications
Four University of Arizona Health Sciences nurses were named Fab 50 Nurses as part of the city’s celebration for national Nurses Week, May 6-12.
Three U of A College of Nursing faculty members and one U of A Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center member were honored during the 2026 Nurses Week gala hosted by the Tucson Nurses Week Foundation. Awardees were chosen by their peers for being role models and mentors, demonstrating concern for humanity and contributing to the community and the profession of nursing.
“The Fab 50 award honors the very best of nursing — compassion, clinical excellence and an unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of others,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing. “We are proud to recognize four outstanding nurses this year, each nominated by their peers for their exceptional practice, professional achievements and meaningful impact in our community. Their dedication sets a powerful example and reflects the highest ideals of nursing.”
Julianne Davis, MSN Ed, RN
Here are comments from each of the U of A honorees about the recognition:
Julianne Davis, MSN Ed, RN
Lecturer
“I am passionate about nursing and take great pride in helping students grow into confident and competent professionals throughout their journey in our program. While we guide them through skills labs, simulations and lectures within the college, clinical experiences provide invaluable real-world application. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is teaching students in the same environment where I continue to practice as a bedside nurse in the neuro-medical ICU at Tucson Medical Center. This allows me not only to reinforce their learning but also to introduce them to the realities of teamwork and the sense of family within a nursing unit.
“One of the greatest joys of teaching is seeing former students become colleagues at the hospital and knowing I played a role in their journey. I am sincerely grateful for my students, my colleagues at the college, my peers across the nursing community and my family, all of whom have supported my growth as both a nurse and an educator.
It is truly an honor and a privilege to work alongside such an incredible community.”
Pamela Fick, MS, RN, MBA
Pamela Fick, MS, RN, MBA
Senior lecturer
“Nursing is my second career and entering the profession was one of the best decisions I ever made. Each experience I have had in the profession has deepened my understanding of what it means to be a nurse. Educating students in the College of Nursing MEPN program is personal to me, as I graduated in the second MEPN class 13 years ago. As a nurse educator, I have the privilege of witnessing students discover their passion for the field and go on to thrive in their careers. There is no greater honor than hearing a former student describe the impact you’ve had on their growth as a nurse and as a person.
“I am so grateful to work with an incredible team of educators at the College of Nursing MEPN Tucson program. The work we do every day, shaping the next generation of nurses, makes you fall in love with nursing in a different way. Working at the College has helped me become a better nurse and educator, and it has also allowed me to continue my education through an advanced degree. I am very honored to receive this recognition and look forward to supporting my nursing students to become the very best nurses Tucson has.”
Janine Hinton, PhD, RN, NCE, CHSE
Janine Hinton, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE
Associate clinical professor and director of the Steele Innovative Learning Center
“This award reflects the collaborative spirit, mentorship and shared commitment to excellence that defines our nursing community. My work in simulation and innovation is deeply rooted in preparing nurses to think critically, respond to complexity and provide compassionate, equitable care, and I am grateful to do this work within the University of Arizona College of Nursing, where creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration and a passion for advancing health care are highly valued.
“I see this recognition as both a personal honor and as a reflection of the extraordinary colleagues, students and teams I have the privilege of working with.”
Megan Peterson, MPH, RN
Megan Peterson, MPH, RN
Clinical research nurse and public health program manager, Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center
“I’ve always been connected to Tucson, so it’s especially meaningful to be recognized through the same Fab 50 Nurses awards that honored my grandmother in 2003 and helped shape my path in nursing.
“In my current role, I lead implementation of a statewide, National Institutes of Health funded school health program, while also contributing to clinical research, working across clinical, public health and education systems to expand access to critical respiratory care for children and strengthen emergency medication readiness in schools.
“I’m grateful for the mentors, opportunities and collaborations that have shaped my career, and as I approach my ninth year in nursing this recognition is deeply meaningful and reinforces my commitment to advancing equitable access to care and building sustainable, community-centered health programs.”