LHSON Faculty Member Receives Prestigious TNA Award
In the spirit of National Nurses Week, Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) is proud to recognize Dr. Sheron Wagner, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, for being selected by the Texas Nurses Association as one of 25 Outstanding Texas Nurses for 2026. The annual award recognizes the contributions of 25 outstanding Texas registered nurses. Nurses who have made a difference are nominated by their peers, community, friends, family or employers for a variety of reasons. Honorees are nurses who create a culture of care, nurses who play a vital role in supporting health and wellness, nurse innovators, community contributors and frontline heroes.
Dr. Sheron Wagner, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Track at Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON). She joined LHSON in 2021 and specializes in neonatology, educating graduate nursing students through didactic instruction, clinical mentorship, and simulation-based learning. Prior to joining Baylor, Dr. Wagner served as clinical faculty for undergraduate nursing students at the University of North Georgia and Brenau University in Atlanta, Georgia, and as clinical faculty for NNP students at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston.
Dr. Wagner brings more than 40 years of nursing experience and over 16 years of neonatal nurse practitioner experience across major healthcare systems throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, including Parkland Hospital and Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Her extensive clinical background spans multiple areas of nursing practice, with a primary focus on high-risk neonatal care.
Recognized as a clinical expert in neonatal care, Dr. Wagner is actively involved in quality improvement initiatives focused on invasive and non-invasive respiratory management strategies for neonates born at or below 29 weeks’ gestation. Her professional interests include neonatal respiratory care, evidence-based practice, simulation education, and global neonatal health.
Dr. Wagner is also deeply engaged in international neonatal education and capacity-building initiatives. She serves as faculty for the Neonatal Nurses Essential Training and Skills (NNETS) program, a global collaborative developed by registered nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners, and neonatologists to strengthen neonatal nursing education and improve neonatal outcomes in low- and middle-resource countries. Through NNETS and other global partnerships, she has contributed to neonatal education and training efforts in Uganda, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Mauritius. She is also involved with Partners In Health (PIH), supporting initiatives aimed at improving healthcare access and neonatal outcomes in underserved communities worldwide. Dr. Wagner is frequently invited to share her expertise with nurses and healthcare providers internationally through lectures, simulation training, and professional development programs.
Dr. Wagner is also passionate about mentoring registered nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners in professional growth, scholarship, and leadership development. She has established and leads an NNP-focused committee designed to foster engagement in scholarly activities, research initiatives, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement projects. Through mentorship and collaboration, the committee encourages NNPs and nurses to participate in poster presentations, publications, clinical innovation, and professional development opportunities. In addition to promoting academic and clinical excellence, the committee explores strategies to enhance the visibility and recognition of neonatal nurse practitioners within the healthcare organization and the broader professional community. The group also focuses on celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of NNPs through professional recognition initiatives, educational events, and opportunities that highlight the essential role of NNPs in advancing neonatal care and improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Wagner is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the University of Alabama International Honor Society. She is widely published in peer-reviewed medical and nursing journals, has co-authored nursing textbooks, and has presented nationally and internationally on topics related to neonatal care, respiratory management, simulation education, and global health initiatives.
The TNA will honor the award winners during the Texas Nurses Foundation Gala on Thursday, June 11 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center. The special event will be a part of TNA’s annual conference themed, “Strength In Unity, Excellence in Action, taking place June 10-12 in Grapevine.