Parkland nurse recognized for outstanding leadership, innovation
Nursing director receives Pamela Austin Thompson Emerging Leader Award
Katie Mapula, MSN, RN, Director of Nursing for the Critical Care and Burn Center at Parkland Health, has been named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Pamela Austin Thompson Emerging Leader Award by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL). This award honors a rising star in healthcare leadership who has demonstrated significant potential, leadership excellence as well as a commitment to advancing the nursing profession.
The Pamela Austin Thompson Emerging Leader Award is named in honor of AONL Chief Executive Officer Emeritus, Pamela Austin Thompson, whose leadership and advocacy efforts helped shaped the future of nursing leadership programs. The award recognizes a nurse leader with less than five years of formal leadership experience who has shown exemplary leadership within their organization, community and the nursing field at large.
During the pandemic, Mapula was instrumental in creating a life-support therapy intensive care unit (ICU) at Parkland Memorial Hospital, ensuring that patients received the critical care they needed. She also led the establishment of a new cardiovascular ICU, strengthening the hospital’s capacity to provide comprehensive care to patients with complex heart conditions.
In addition, Mapula’s innovative approach to patient care led to a streamlined process for transferring burn patients from the emergency department to the Burn Unit. This initiative significantly reduced emergency department wait times and allowed for the rapid delivery of specialized wound care, improving patient outcomes.
“It is an honor to receive the Pamela Austin Thompson Emerging Leader Award, and I’m grateful to work with such dedicated professionals at Parkland,” said Mapula. “This recognition is a testament to the collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence that defines our team.”
“Katie has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout her career at Parkland,” said Donna Richardson, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at Parkland. “Her ability to innovate, lead with compassion and drive positive change has had a profound impact on our patients and staff. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and excited to see her continue to grow as a leader in the nursing profession.”
For more information about the Pamela Austin Thompson Emerging Leader Award and the AONL, visit www.aonl.org.
To learn more about becoming a part of Parkland’s nursing team, go to www.parklandcareers.com
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