For the 11th consecutive year, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and AJCjobs is honoring and celebrating nurses throughout metro Atlanta and Georgia.

Again this year, from hundreds of nominations, an independent panel of judges has chosen 10 extraordinary nursing professionals to represent thousands of their colleagues at the annual Nursing Excellence Awards.

Held during National Nurses Week, May 6-12, this year’s luncheon was on May 10 at Cobb Galleria.

Deborah Lee from Piedmont Atlanta Hospital was among the honorees who went above and beyond the call of duty to make a significant impact on their patients.

Lee was nominated by her manager, Barbara Lineham (line-um), who, in part, wrote: “Debbie consistently looks for new projects that will benefit Piedmont Hospital and build relationships with employees. She is also able to relate to patients from personal experience and her passion for nursing. She will sit with anxious patients and take them step by step through the education and post-op experience and home experience. I take great pride in nominating Debbie for her selfless attitude and passion for nursing and healthcare."

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A man makes a phone call in front of a train during Tracks of Hope, an event hosted by Norfolk Southern in support of Hope Atlanta, in Forest Park, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Norfolk Southern opened its executive vintage business train, typically reserved for company leadership and dignitaries, to the public in support of Hope Atlanta. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

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Rose Scott signals as "Closer Look" goes on the air in the WABE studio. An Atlanta resident left WABE a $3 million donation, a boost after WABE lost $1.9 million in annual funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. (Ben Gray for the AJC 2023)

Credit: Ben Gray