Four Seasons, a nonprofit Hospice and Palliative Care organization that has provided trusted care to Western North Carolina since 1979, recently announced one of its employees has earned a prestigious honor.

Jamie Rouse, Four Seasons’ Vice President of Palliative Care, has been awarded a 2026 State Award for Outstanding Contributions by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). The AANP honors just one individual per state with this prestigious award.

This award honors individuals who have made significant strides in advancing health care through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership (PEARL), and have demonstrated efforts to advance the image, profile and visibility of nurse practitioners (NPs). Award recipients will be honored for this achievement at the Salute to the States Award Ceremony on June 26, 2026, at the 2026 AANP National Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The AANP State Awards for Outstanding Contributions honors one individual per state whose exemplary clinical care, advocacy and leadership have strengthened the NP profession and improved the health of communities nationwide. These awards celebrate the extraordinary dedication of NPs and advocates who go above and beyond to advance patient-centered care and elevate our profession.

“I am deeply humbled and truly honored to be recognized with the AANP Award for Outstanding State Contributions. This recognition is incredibly meaningful to me — not just as a personal milestone, but as a reflection of the work we do together every day at Four Seasons,” Rouse said. “I’m grateful to be part of an organization that believes in strong leadership, compassionate care, and the importance of advocacy at every level of our profession.

“This award reinforces why I’m so passionate about speaking up for our patients, our teams, and the future of healthcare,” she continued. “Thank you to my colleagues, mentors, and the Four Seasons family for your trust, encouragement, and shared commitment to making a difference. I carry this honor with deep gratitude.” 

Four Seasons President & CEO, Dr. Millicent Burke Sinclair, praised Rouse. “We are incredibly excited to learn of this award recognizing Jamie Rouse’s outstanding contributions as a Nurse Practitioner. Her wisdom elevates and advances our ability to serve our community with excellent care,” Sinclair said. “Her compassion and expertise bring reassurance to our patients and families as well as those providers and team members who she leads. Congratulations, we are so proud of you and thankful that you are part of making care possible at Four Seasons.”

In addition to Hospice and Palliative Care, Four Seasons also offers Care Navigation, Home Care (in some regions), Grief Services, and support for the caregiver and family. Four Seasons is honored to provide care to fourteen counties including Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain and Transylvania. The generous community support through Four Seasons Foundation and Hospice Home Stores, allows Four Seasons to ensure the mission and vision or the organization, providing care to everyone, including those in need. For more information, call 866.466.9734 or visit FourSeasonsCare.org.

Source: Four Seasons