Two nursing faculty members honored by Philippine Nurses Association of Southern California

UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing faculty members, Emma Cuenca DNP, RN, CCRN, CSC, CNS, and Carol Cunningham, DNP, MSN, RNFA, FNP-C, have been recognized with 2026 Nursing Excellence Awards from the Philippine Nurses Association of Southern California (PNASC) for their contributions to nursing education and the profession.

An associate adjunct professor and director of UCLA Nursing’s prelicensure programs, Dr. Emma Cuenca helps shape the experience for new nursing students at UCLA and fosters a culture of excellence in nursing education and practice. She received this year’s PNASC Nursing Administration Award for her leadership and contributions to advancing nursing excellence.

Dr. Carol Cunningham is an assistant adjunct professor in the Joe C. Wen School of Nursing and has worked as a nurse practitioner for more than 15 years. She currently works in pediatric orthopedic surgery at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. Dr. Cunningham received the PNASC Nurse Excellence Award for Clinical Practice for her commitment to patient care and her contributions to advancing clinical nursing excellence. Dr. Cunningham was also recently re-elected to serve as the California State Liaison for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.