CTeL Honored with Prestigious "Friend of Nursing Award"

WASHINGTON - Aug. 28, 2025 - PRLog -- The Center for Telehealth and eHealth Law (CTeL) is proud to announce that Executive Director Christa Natoli has been awarded the distinguished "Friend of Nursing Award" by the Nightingale Education Group at the annual Flame Forward Conference, held this week in Salt Lake City, Utah. The award was presented during the closing gala on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

The "Friend of Nursing Award" recognizes individuals across the country who have made significant contributions to the advancement of nursing and healthcare. Honorees are chosen for their leadership, innovation, and advocacy that strengthen the nursing profession, improve patient care, and shape legislative and regulatory policies that expand access and health equity nationwide.

In accepting the honor, Natoli dedicated the award to nurses everywhere and underscored the urgency of addressing the nation's clinical workforce crisis:

"Today, our nation faces a clinical workforce crisis—most acutely among nurses," Natoli said. "At CTeL, we've made it our mission to bring this reality to the forefront of every agenda: at HHS, in Congress, and at the White House. We are urging leaders to recognize the nursing shortage as a Public Health Emergency—because that designation unlocks the tools we need now."

Natoli emphasized the importance of breaking down barriers that prevent qualified nurses from reaching the bedside, expanding clinical training pathways, and leveraging telehealth to deliver care where it is most needed. She also called for stronger investments in retention, wellness, and career mobility so experienced nurses can continue to lead in care settings nationwide.

"Nurses are the backbone of care, from rural clinics to urban trauma centers. If we want equitable, high-quality healthcare, we must act with the urgency this moment demands," Natoli added.

The Nightingale Education Group's annual Flame Forward Conference brings together collaborators and innovators from across the country to advance the mission of Florence Nightingale: improving nursing standards, elevating patient care, and advancing health equity.

"CTeL is deeply committed to championing the voice of nurses and eliminating the policy barriers that stand in their way," said Natoli. "To the nurses who heal, teach, innovate, and advocate—this award is yours. Thank you for trusting CTeL to fight alongside you."

About the Center for Telehealth and eHealth Law (CTeL)

The Center for Telehealth and eHealth Law (CTeL) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing policies that expand access to quality healthcare through telehealth. By engaging with lawmakers, regulators, and healthcare leaders, CTeL works to remove policy barriers, drive innovation, and support a strong clinical workforce to meet the nation's healthcare needs. For more information visit www.ctel.org.