ChampionsofCare2025 Travel nurses and allied health travelers are out there every day, making a difference in the lives of others — and we're here to celebrate them. That's why we created the Traveling Hearts Award, shining a spotlight on the healthcare professionals who go above and beyond. Ready to meet our 2025 winners?

Champions of Care: Meet the 2025 Fusion Traveling Hearts Award Winners

What is the Traveling Hearts Award?

The Traveling Hearts Award is all about celebrating our travelers who truly live out our mission to make a positive impact. Each year, we honor two standout champions of care — one nursing and one allied — for their exceptional commitment to patient care. It's our way of highlighting the compassion and dedication that healthcare travelers like you bring to their patients and communities every day!

Award criteria

🏆Extraordinary direct patient care

🏆Shows strong initiative and drive

🏆Empowers others through mentorship and collaboration

🏆Holds themselves and peers to high ethical standards and integrity

🏆Dedicated to Fusion’s core values of being humble, driven, and positive

🏆Advocates for refreshing healthcare

Award eligibility requirements

🏆Must have completed at least one assignment with Fusion

🏆Must be a current healthcare traveler

🏆Travelers can be nominated by recruiters, facility leaders, patients, or themselves

Cristie: creating connection

CristieVogel Family, heart, and a deep dedication to her work — that's Cristie Vogle. A proud mom of two daughters and a grandmother — soon to be twice over! — Cristie brings the same care and compassion to her family that she does to the surgical tech field she's been part of for over 22 years.

Born and raised in a small Wyoming town, her love for simplicity and the outdoors runs deep. Whether she’s camping, fishing, or traveling to new places, Cristie finds joy in connection — both with nature and the people she loves.

Though she originally imagined herself as a nurse, a conversation with a surgical tech changed her path and sparked a new passion. After some research, Cristie realized that becoming a surgical technologist was a better fit for her, and she hasn't looked back since.

"Cristie never brags about her skills, even though she experienced and well-respected wherever she's worked," said one of Cristie's nominators. "She's motivated to leave the facilities in better shape than when she showed up and her positive outlook each week (even the tough weeks) is a great reminder that we can always have a positive impact on others, even when our situation or circumstances aren't the most ideal."

CristieVogel_2 Four years ago, Cristie started traveling with Fusion Medical Staffing and found a company that truly supports her.

"Winning the Traveling Hearts Award makes me feel appreciated," she shared. "As a traveler, we don't always get a simple thank you, so it's nice to be recognized! [Fusion has] made me feel both supported and heard."

Christina: a guiding light

Christina Crowders, LPN If you ask Christina Crowders, traveling licensed practical nurse (LPN), what drives her, she'll likely tell you it's a combination of faith, family, and a calling that's been with her since she was 14 years old. Back then, she was working after school and on weekends at her grandmother's respite home for retired veterans — caring for them, helping with meals, and unknowingly laying the foundation for a career built on compassion. Today, she's a proud wife of 22 years, mom to two incredible kids, and "Queenie" (aka grandmother) to a 4-year-old grandson. And now (with nearly a dozen nominations), she's also a Traveling Heart Award winner!

"She is refreshing healthcare by bringing a personalized and compassionate approach to patient care, ensuring that every resident feels valued, heard, and respected," said one of Christina's nominators. "Her extensive experience as a traveling nurse has equipped her with the ability to adapt to diverse healthcare environments, and she applies this expertise to create meaningful connections with patients and their families. Her efforts not only improve patient outcomes but also contribute to a more positive and progressive healthcare environment."

Described as a "bright light in dark times" by her patients and a "natural leader and mentor" by her peers, Christina brings calm, kindness, and creativity to every shift, and she's known for helping new nurses feel at home. She's not just refreshing healthcare — she's making it more human.

"Christina truly loves her job," said another of her nominators. "Her passion to help others and take care of them overwhelmingly shows her true love and impact of the industry as she leads others to do their job properly while also going above and beyond to make sure the people in her care are properly nurtured and protected."

When Christina found Fusion Medical Staffing, she was simply looking for a new experience. What she found was a community that sees her, values her, and celebrates her on and off assignment.

"I love everything about Fusion Medical Staffing!" Christina said. "I love that Fusion expresses their gratitude; it lets me know as a traveler that I'm not forgotten about. It means that the many sacrifices, countless doubles, and hard work has not gone unnoticed."

Christina celebrates big wins with home-cooked meals and family time, and the everyday victories with a little self-care or a proud social post. Because whether it's a major award or just making a patient smile, every moment matters. And for Christina, that's what nursing is all about.

Frequently asked questions

What do the Traveling Hearts Award winners receive?

In addition to endless bragging rights and well-earned pride, the two Traveling Hearts Award winners receive a $2,000 bonus, prize trophy, and a Fusion swag bag.

Swag Bag 1

When will the Traveling Hearts Award reopen?

Missed this year’s nomination deadline? Don’t lose sleep over it! Instead, mark your calendar for January 1, 2026 — that’s when the award will reopen. Similarly to this year, next year’s nominations will be open from January 1 to March 31 with winners announced in June 2026. Stay tuned!

What other awards and scholarships are available to Fusion travel nurses and allied health travelers?

Not only are we proud to reward passionate travel nurses and allied health travelers with the Traveling Hearts Award, but we’re also excited to partner with the DAISY Foundation to honor nurses’ dedication and outstanding service with a DAISY Award.

Recipients of this award are honored at a celebration with their peers, leadership, friends, and family present. Plus, they’ll be recognized with a certificate, a hand-carved Healer’s Touch sculpture, and several other mementos.

The best part is that the DAISY Award submissions are always welcome! The criteria to receive this award include being a licensed registered nurse or licensed practical/vocational nurse and living up to Fusion’s mission of improving lives.

But that’s not all! To further support healthcare travelers, we offer The Compassion in Care Fusion Scholarship, a four-year renewable scholarship for nursing students pursuing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

The Compassion in Care Scholarship awards up to 10 nursing students $5,000 each for furthering their education and matches winners with a Fusion mentor who also has their BSN to help support them during nursing school. Keep your eyes peeled for 2026-2027 scholarship details!

Learn more about last year's Traveling Hearts Award winners!

We’ve been on a mission to improve the lives of others since before making a positive difference was cool. We’re dedicated to being a company that supports the current and future generation of healthcare professionals, as well as our local communities, and one way we accomplish that goal is through special awards and recognition.

Know an extraordinary someone who deserves a little TLC? Nominate them for a Fusion award! Learn more about the Fusion difference.