School of Nursing Alumni Award Winners
Learn about the incredible nurses who embody the highest values of the OHSU alumni community.
Congratulations to the 2025 School of Nursing Alumni Award Winners
Deborah Carter, RN, B.S. ’77
Distinguished Alumni Award
“The beneficial impact of her work will be felt in operating rooms throughout the state, and by all those who spend their careers in that environment.”
— Haley Sands, RN, B.S. ’05, M.N. ’16
Nurse Manager, OHSU
Throughout her impressive career, Deborah Carter has been a champion for operating room safety and an advocate for the critical role of nurses at OHSU. She was an operating room nurse at OHSU for more than four decades and served as OHSU’s Laser Safety Officer before her retirement in 2021.
Carter led efforts to decrease exposure to harmful surgical smoke at OHSU and played an essential role in passing Oregon House Bill 2622, which mandates the elimination of surgical smoke from Oregon’s operating rooms.
A dedicated alumna, Carter is the current president of the School of Nursing Alumni Leadership Council and has served as alumni representative on the OHSU Foundation Board. Her global service includes surgical missions to Moldova, Tonga and Myanmar.
Deborah Carter exemplifies the highest ideals of the nursing profession and continues to inspire others through her service, leadership, and enduring commitment to the OHSU community.
Sarah Wickenhagen, RN, M.S. ’05, D.N.P. ’13
Distinguished Alumni Award
“What sets Dr. Wickenhagen apart is not only her clinical excellence and leadership but also her unwavering commitment to the values of compassion and service.”
— Kat Hammond, RN, M.N. ’12, D.N.P. ’13, FNP-C, APRN, CEN
Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, OHSU School of Nursing
Sarah Wickenhagen is a dedicated nurse leader, educator and advocate for the nursing profession. A double graduate of OHSU’s School of Nursing, Wickenhagan earned a Master of Science in Nursing in 2005 and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2013. Her clinical experience includes family medicine, pediatric oncology, urgent care and the care of U.S. soldiers in combat. She was one of the first nurse practitioners to be trained as a U.S. Army Flight Surgeon.
Wickenhagen has had a significant impact on the nursing profession and on the lives of many nurses in our region. She has served as faculty at the OHSU School of Nursing and has mentored countless students and professionals. In her role with the Oregon State Board of Nursing, she has helped shape nursing policy and strengthen the profession.
Known for her clinical excellence and leadership, Wickenhagen is committed to improving patient outcomes, whether through direct care, patient education, teaching, or advocating for the nursing profession.
Kristi Runberg, RN, B.S., B.S.N. ’12, M.S.N., PCCN
Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award
“Kristi is always looking for new ways to support teams and create environments of excellence. She has been exceptional in leading change in providers and nurses who strive to do more and be more!”
— Amber La, RN, B.S.N. ’13
Quality Improvement & Education Specialist, St. Charles Health System
Kristi Runberg is an innovative, compassionate nurse leader known for her extensive skills in change management, training and coaching. She is passionate about cultivating high-performing teams that can thrive in a challenging, ever-evolving health care landscape.
Runberg has had a broad and lasting impact through her various leadership roles at St. Charles Health System in central Oregon. She has led highly successful patient safety and education initiatives, engaging multidisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes. Her expertise in change management helped ensure the successful implementation of the TeamSTEPPS program, resulting in better communication and teamwork system-wide. Runberg has mentored countless leaders across the organization and created a framework for nursing leaders to have development conversations with the nurses they supervise.
Beyond her work at St. Charles Health System, Runberg is an external faculty member for the American Hospital Association Team Training Program, a founding member of the OHSU Central Oregon Alumni Chapter and an active member of her community.
Amber La, RN, B.S. ’13
Rural Health Excellence Award
“Amber La represents the highest level of nursing care and professionalism in any setting, but specifically as it pertains to rural health care.”
— Maggie King, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, St. Charles Prineville
Amber La, RN, B.S.N. ’13 is a critical care nurse, educator and servant leader with a passion for rural health. As Quality Improvement & Education Nurse Specialist at St. Charles Health System, she has developed innovative training programs and led system-wide initiatives to improve patient safety.
La spearheaded the creation of the Intermediate Care Unit Nurse Training Program at St. Charles, which has enabled nurses to provide advanced care locally and reduced the need for patient transfers to larger facilities. Her role as a facilitator, coach, and mentor for the TeamSTEPPS program contributed to a culture shift that transformed the way teams communicate and collaborate. La was also instrumental in laying the groundwork for establishing an inpatient hospice service for the St. Charles Health System.
La’s clinical acumen, growth mindset and commitment to evidence-based practice have made her a trusted mentor and respected leader. Her work reflects a deep commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care and serving rural communities.
