Deanna Benner, MSN, Named Magnet Nurse of the Year

When her teenage daughter developed anxiety about climate change, Deanna Benner made a promise: to show her that adults were taking meaningful action to build a healthier future. She made good on her promise, and then some. She launched a grassroots effort in environmental sustainability at ChristianaCare, where she has worked for 18 years, and launched a movement that would reach beyond hospital walls. In recognition of vision and leadership, Benner, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC, a Women’s Health nurse practitioner and co-chair of ChristianaCare’s Environmental Sustainability Caregiver Committee, has been named the 2025 National Magnet Nurse of the Year® in Structural Empowerment by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

The award, one of the highest in nursing, honors one nurse in the nation who exemplifies innovation and impact within Structural Empowerment — a Magnet Model principle about giving nurses the support and resources they need to make a difference for patients and communities.

Over the past four years, Benner has turned her personal promise into a system-wide mission. Her efforts have diverted over $1.2 million in medical supplies to underserved communities and redirected 28,500 pounds of furniture and equipment to local nonprofits—totaling 48,122 pounds of repurposed goods diverted from the local landfill. Chief Nursing Officer Danielle Weber, DNP, MSM, RN-BC, NEA-BC, said Benner’s leadership shows how structural empowerment can drive change that echoes far beyond the bedside. “Deanna reminds us what’s possible when caregivers lead with passion, data and determination,” Weber said.

She led the campaign to eliminate Styrofoam cups across ChristianaCare by building a persuasive, data-driven business case that earned unanimous support from leadership. Through the Environmental Sustainability Caregiver Committee she co-founded, Benner has trained more than 600 caregivers on the link between climate and health, launched ChristianaCare’s first greenhouse gas emission inventory, and created an annual Environmental Health Conference, now in its second year. She also introduced the volunteer “Eco-Champion” role to empower frontline caregivers to lead green initiatives within their departments, making sustainability part of everyday practice. “Never underestimate the power of one nurse to spark meaningful change,” Benner said in accepting the award. “Start climate-health discussions, demonstrate quick wins to show that individual actions matter and document cost savings to secure leadership support. "This recognition belongs to everyone who has joined this mission—especially ChristianaCare leadership, the supply and environmental services teams and my colleagues Ashley Oncay, Greg O'Neill, and Valerie Rhoades," she said. "I'm deeply grateful to all those who have helped with these environmental efforts and to my daughter, who inspired all my work. Together, we are creating a healthier future."

Benner’s initiatives have positioned ChristianaCare as a national leader in health care sustainability, garnering her speaking invitations from organizations including the National Academy of Medicine and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Benner “exudes passion for her work,” said Jasmine Garces-King, DNP, MHA, CCRN, TCRN, ACNP-BC, chief advanced practice officer at ChristianaCare. “Her innovative solutions, collaborative efforts, and commitment to environmental stewardship have a profound impact on the organization and beyond.”

For health systems, Magnet status is the gold standard of nursing practice, recognizing hospitals that demonstrate excellence and innovation in patient care, nurse engagement, and workplace culture. ChristianaCare is one of a select group of health systems in the country — and the only one in Delaware — to earn Magnet designation four times. Deanna Benner and her fellow Magnet Nurse of the Year honorees “represent the very best of our profession,” said Brad Goettl, DNP, DHA, RN, FAAN, FACHE, chief nursing officer of the American Nurses Enterprise. “These are nurses whose leadership, innovation and compassion are transforming care and improving outcomes for patients and communities.”