Nominations for the 2026 Gabriele Schindler Clinical Excellence Award are open through Monday, January 12.
This award recognizes the individual who demonstrates excellence in gastroenterology clinical practice and who exemplifies the skill, knowledge and compassion of Gabriele Schindler, an early pioneer of GI patient care. SGNA presents this prestigious award annually to the member who best represents Schindler’s spirit of compassion, commitment, professionalism and caring.
Eligibility Criteria
Must be a current member of SGNA and have been for at least 5 years.
Nominate Now
2025 Awardee
Alicia Mena, MSN RN CCRN CGRN
Alicia Mena has dedicated over a decade to advancing the field of gastroenterology/endoscopy nursing. She currently serves as a distinguished GI nurse at the GI Endoscopy Unit in Palo Alto, CA, where her contributions have been instrumental in enhancing patient care and operational efficiency.
Alicia’s professional journey is marked by a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. Alicia holds a graduate degree in nursing education and is certified as a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN). She further enhanced her professional skill set by completing a green belt certification in process improvement.
Her work with the VA National GI Nursing Subcommittee is distinguished by her leadership in multiple process improvement projects. Notably, Alicia’s efforts have not only ensured the safe continuation of patient endoscopy amidst major endoscope and HVAC malfunctions but also earned her the title of Employee of the Year at the Palo Alto VA Health Care System. A trailblazer in innovative patient education for the Palo Alto VA Health Care System and VISN 21, Alicia spearheaded the introduction of a large inflatable colon for colorectal awareness education. This initiative has reached hundreds of Veterans from California to Hawaii, with plans to educate Veterans in Nevada later this summer, reflecting her commitment to patient advocacy and community outreach.
As an author, Alicia has contributed valuable insights to the field, including her recent publication: “Impact of the Magnesium Citrate Recall on Gastroenterology Nursing Procedural Process: Putting the ‘Prep’ in Preparation,” featured in the Gastroenterol Nursing Journal. Her scholarly work underscores her expertise and commitment to advancing GI nursing practices.
Alicia’s leadership extends to mentoring nurse managers within her facility and across her VISN. She has empowered her staff to develop and present four poster presentations accepted by SGNA for the annual conference. Moreover, she has been instrumental in the national implementation of the Provation software system, leading her unit to become a pilot site for automating patient procedure orders from the electronic health record to Provation MD. This pilot was successful and is now being used across the country.
A respected educator and speaker, Alicia has delivered presentations at SGNA national conferences, including topics such as “Leading Through Times of Staffing Challenges” and the WRITE project, culminating in a published article. Her contributions have consistently earned her unit recognition as one of the best places to work within the Palo Alto Health Care System, and her unit consistently achieves some of the highest patient satisfaction scores in VA healthcare.
Alicia’s passion lies in choosing to do what is right, even when it is hard—a principle that has guided her esteemed career. She remains dedicated to advancing the field of gastroenterology nursing, mentoring future leaders, and enhancing patient care through innovation and education.
Congratulations, Alicia!