It’s with great pride that UT Physicians announces the nurses selected by the Good Samaritan Foundation of Texas for the 2025 Excellence in Nursing Awards.
Through their dedicated service to patients, colleagues, and their profession, these nurses embody the mission of UT Physicians to deliver outstanding care and service.
“Being recognized by the Good Samaritan Foundation is a profound honor that reflects a nurse’s unwavering commitment to excellence, compassion, and leadership in patient care,” said Kimberly Alleman, MBA-HM, BSN, RN-BC, chief nursing officer of UT Physicians. “This award is not just a personal achievement — it’s a testament to the impact these individuals have on their teams, patients, and the broader health care community. It affirms that their dedication and professionalism are seen, valued, and celebrated.”
Meet the 2025 Excellence in Nursing honorees:
Seema S. Aggarwal, Assistant Professor
Inspired by her father’s battle to overcome symptoms following a massive stroke at age 49, Seema S. Aggarwal, PhD, APRN, AGNP-C, found her calling in health care.
“He had complete paralysis on his left side, so it affected his ability to walk and talk,” said Aggarwal, an assistant professor for the Department of Internal Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. “I knew the impact of stroke, and if there was any way I could prevent other people from suffering from a stroke, I really wanted to help because it’s devastating to families.”
After more than a decade treating chronic stroke patients and patients overcoming a traumatic brain injury, Aggarwal faced her own health challenge, a breast cancer diagnosis.
A survivor since 2022, she used her experience as a patient to propel her latest research into dementia.
Currently, she is leading two different studies for vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) with the UTHealth Houston Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. With 100 participants in each VCID study, the years-long research aims to identify biomarkers through blood or MRI tests to predict who will develop dementia.
From clinical nurse to teacher, patient, and researcher, Aggarwal’s vast experience in health care and her extraordinary dedication to leading, mentoring, and pursuing better outcomes have earned her the Excellence in Nursing recognition.
“While I am very honored by this award, my hope is for students to see that nurses can do all kinds of things. There are no limits. I’ve done bedside and outpatient nursing, taught nursing, and conducted research,” Aggarwal said. “The sky’s the limit for nurses, and I hope that I’ve shown that anything is possible.”
Sibil J. Blee, Clinical Education Manager
From the moment she began volunteering at a hospital as a teen, Sibil J. Blee, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, AMB-BC, knew where she belonged.
“I had the chance to shadow a nurse whose diverse and dynamic role instantly resonated with me. I was struck by the sheer breadth of her responsibilities,” Blee said.
From years as a bedside nurse, comforting patients with no family visitors to comforting the families of babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, Blee learned the power of presence.
“These moments underscore the true heart of nursing: connecting with another human being when they need it most,” Blee explained.
Now, as a clinical education manager with UT Physicians, Blee leads a dynamic group of passionate clinical educators in delivering best practice standards and supporting clinical staff at more than 180 UTP clinics.
“My indirect patient care is truly accomplished by making the caregivers my priority,” Blee said. “I use my training as a tool to ensure our staff is fully equipped to deliver the safest, most compassionate care to every person who walks through our doors.”
Her advice to nurses everywhere, whether just starting out or already deep into their careers, is to always remember the power of human connection.
“Never underestimate the ripple effect of your actions. Whether you are holding a lonely patient’s hand, patiently teaching a colleague a new skill, or simply showing up with compassion, you are creating a chain reaction of wellness, empathy, and caring,” Blee said. “The people you lift up will go on to lift others.”
Thuy T. Tran, Nurse Practitioner
At just 10 years old, Thuy T. Tran, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, witnessed the kind, caring acts of the nurses who took care of her grandmother in the hospital. Staying at her grandmother’s bedside to act as her translator, Tran was inspired by the nurses who worked tirelessly to comfort and care for a patient they couldn’t communicate with.
“Watching the nurses take care of my grandmother inspired me to pursue nursing,” Tran said.
As a family nurse practitioner for 20 years, Tran has dedicated her career to treating patients aged 2 and older for primary care.
“One of my most memorable nursing moments was seeing a patient whom I had taken care of for weeks in the coronary care unit (CCU) return to thank me after being discharged home,” Tran said. “The patient was on life support for weeks in the CCU, and it was a miracle that the patient survived.”
Recognition from the Good Samaritan Foundation serves as a reminder that her contributions and hard work are valued.
“This honor inspires me to strive for even greater achievements in the future,” Tran said.
