The University of Michigan School of Nursing’s Office of Professional Graduate Studies is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025-2026 Preceptor of the Year Awards. Presented annually, these awards recognize outstanding preceptors who demonstrate exceptional dedication to mentoring and supporting students as they prepare for advanced practice and leadership roles.
Recipients are selected through student nominations and faculty evaluations that highlight excellence in teaching, guidance and professional role modeling.
This year, six awards were presented in the following categories:
- Family Nurse Practitioner / Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program
- Nurse-Midwifery Program
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
- Leadership, Analytics, and Innovation MSN Program
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Please see the recipients of each award below.
Family Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program
Recipient: Chrissy Nault, MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Oaklawn Medical Group
About Chrissy: Chrissy Nault is a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 20 years of health care experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Valparaiso University, a Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization from Oakland University and a Post-Master’s Certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Johns Hopkins University.
Chrissy practices at Oaklawn Medical Group in Marshall, Michigan, where she provides primary care and psychiatric services across the lifespan. Her clinical interests include chronic disease management, women’s health, prenatal and postpartum care and mental health. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as an adjunct faculty member at the U-M School of Nursing and a clinical faculty member at Oakland University. Students consistently praise her supportive teaching style, commitment to professional growth and ability to create a welcoming learning environment while challenging them to think critically and grow in confidence.
Quotes from Chrissy’s students:
"I am honored to nominate Chrissy for Nurse Practitioner Preceptor of the Year. I had my very first clinical rotation with her as my preceptor and she is not only a phenomenal nurse practitioner who cared for her patients with kindness, compassion and clinical excellence but a profound educator as well."
"Entering my final semester and final clinical rotation as a Family Nurse Practitioner student, the imposter syndrome was very real. From the very beginning, Chrissy immediately created a safe and supportive learning environment. During a time when I felt like I knew nothing, she gave me confidence."
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program
Recipient: Abi Lamar, MSN, RN, CPNP, Holland Pediatric Associates
About Abi: Abi Lamar has cared for children as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for nearly 18 years. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from Grand Valley State University. At Holland Pediatric Associates, she provides wellness and acute care visits for children of all ages and recently helped launch Pathways to Health appointments focused on supporting healthy lifestyles for children and families.
An adjunct clinical faculty member at the U-M School of Nursing, Abi is known for her dedication to student success and commitment to fostering confidence in future pediatric nurse practitioners. Students describe her as patient, knowledgeable and deeply invested in both her patients and learners.
Quote from Abi’s student:
"Abi has gone above and beyond to precept me for three semesters. She has displayed patience, knowledge and effective teaching skills throughout my time with her. Not only does she care deeply about her patients, but she cares deeply about my success as a future PNP."
Nurse-Midwifery Program
Recipient: Bronson OB-GYN and Midwifery Specialists
About Bronson OB-GYN and Midwifery Specialists: Bronson OB-GYN and Midwifery Specialists is a team of 18 certified nurse-midwives and three nurse practitioners that has provided full-scope care to patients throughout Kalamazoo County and surrounding communities for more than three decades. The practice offers traditional prenatal care and Centering Pregnancy programs and attends more than 1,000 births annually. Bronson’s midwives have been recognized nationally for excellence in midwifery care and are known for creating supportive, collaborative learning environments for students.
Quotes from Bronson’s students:
"From the very beginning, they have created an environment that is not only welcoming, but deeply supportive and empowering. They consistently make me feel valued, not just as a student, but as a future colleague in this profession."
"The midwives, nurses, medical assistants, office staff, physicians and patients made me feel like part of the team. They deserve to be the Preceptors of the Year."
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
Recipient: Ashley Dobson, MSN, FNP-C, Millennium Cardiology
About Ashley: Ashley Dobson is a Family Nurse Practitioner at Millennium Cardiology, where she provides cardiovascular care for patients with a variety of acute and chronic cardiac conditions. Since earning her Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Oakland University in 2015, she has focused on helping patients achieve positive health outcomes through compassionate, evidence-based care.
Ashley is equally passionate about mentoring future nurse practitioners and views teaching as one of the most rewarding aspects of her career. Students value her ability to balance high expectations with encouragement while helping them develop both competence and confidence in clinical practice.
Quote from one of Ashley’s students:
"Ashley has been an exceptional preceptor, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from her. She goes above and beyond in teaching not only the clinical aspects of being a provider, but also what it truly means to care for patients with empathy, compassion and patience."
Leadership, Analytics, and Innovation Program
Recipient: Nicole Speck, DNP, MS, RN, FNP-BC, Michigan Medicine
About Nicole: Nicole Speck is a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Nurse Practitioner Director for Service Line B at Michigan Medicine and a clinical adjunct faculty member at the U-M School of Nursing. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Michigan and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Wayne State University.
Throughout her 25-year career, Nicole has focused on serving at-risk and underserved children and adolescents while advocating for equitable access to care. Her work includes quality improvement initiatives, health equity research and global nursing collaborations. Students appreciate her enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to helping future nursing leaders gain meaningful experiences and professional confidence.
Quote from Nicole’s student:
"Nicole is such a charismatic and well-rounded preceptor. Nicole never hesitated to get me new opportunities or include me in a new project. Nicole is passionate about what she does and it shows in her actions and how she teaches."
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Recipient: Lisa McCann-Spry, MSN, CNS, Corewell Health
About Lisa: Lisa McCann-Spry serves as a Clinical Nurse Specialist for the orthopedic service line at Corewell Health’s Grand Rapids hospitals, where she oversees nursing practice and quality improvement initiatives for orthopedic patient populations. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from Grand Valley State University and later completed Clinical Nurse Specialist training through the University of Detroit Mercy.
Over the years, Lisa has mentored dozens of nurse-midwifery, master's and Doctor of Nursing Practice students. She is known for providing a supportive learning environment that encourages independence while ensuring students feel valued and supported throughout their educational journeys.
Quote from Lisa’s student:
"Lisa is an exceptionally encouraging and supportive preceptor who was there for me every step of the way throughout my project. She provided the right balance of guidance and independence, allowing me the opportunity to take ownership of my work while still feeling supported in the process."
Congratulations to all of this year's recipients for their outstanding contributions to nursing education and their commitment to supporting the next generation of advanced practice nurses and nursing leaders.