By Tucker Carden
Two faculty members at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing are receiving honors from the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association. Hiboombe Haamankuli, DNP, CRNP, ACNP-BC, FNAP (MSN 2010), Interim Assistant Dean for Clinical and Community Programs, Assistant Professor and Co-Coordinator of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty, is the recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Community Service Award. Cori O’Neal, DNP, CRNP, AGNP-BC (BSN 2010, MSN 2014, DNP 2017), Assistant Professor and Co-Coordinator of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty, is the recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Education Award. Each year, GAPNA recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the gerontological nursing field.
Haamankuli has been teaching at the School since 2012. In his role as Interim Assistant Dean for Clinical and Community Programs, he works closely with the Associate Dean for Clinical and Global Partnerships to advance the School’s clinical enterprise, strengthen clinical and community partnerships, support faculty practice initiatives, oversee nurse-managed clinic activities and identify opportunities that enhance student learning, faculty engagement and community impact. As Co-Coordinator of the AGACNP Specialty Track, he helps oversee the education of more than 100 students, implementing innovative teaching methods that have garnered national and international recognition through publications and presentations. In 2023, Haamankuli received scholarship recognition for his teaching methods from the Alabama League for Nursing. One year later, he was presented with ALN’s Excellence in Teaching Award for using gamification to teach critical skills, including antimicrobial selection, chest X-ray interpretation and point-of-care ultrasound. He received the same award in 2025 for his project, “Interprofessional Collaboration in Telehealth: Enhancing Social Determinants of Health Recognition Through Simulation.” Haamankuli has more than 15 years of experience as an acute care nurse practitioner. As a NP, he provides evidence-based care to patients with acute and chronic conditions and is committed to improving patient outcomes through collaborative, interprofessional practice.
“This recognition reflects the UAB School of Nursing’s strategic plan to leverage its resources and expertise to create meaningful and lasting impact within our communities,” Haamankuli said. “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the many individuals whose efforts have been instrumental in planning, organizing and implementing these community outreach events over the past years. Their passion, collaboration and commitment to service have made this achievement possible.”
A three-time alumna, O’Neal began teaching at the School in 2014. As a Co-Coordinator for the School’s AGPCNP Specialty Track, she is dedicated to nursing education, training and better preparing her students to provide age-friendly care to aging populations. In 2022, O’Neal received an Alabama State Nurses Association award for displaying excellence and leadership with her students and in nursing practice. In 2023, she received a four-year Geriatrics Academic Career Award from the Health Resources and Services Administration. As part of the award, she developed a project focusing on expanding knowledge and expertise in the delivery of age-friendly care of older adults who are at risk for dementia and other memory disorders in underserved patient populations, providing enhanced geriatric education to nurse practitioner students, nurses at various levels of their career and interprofessional healthcare teams. In addition to her roles at the School, O’Neal has a faculty practice at UAB’s PATH Clinic, providing care to uninsured patients with diabetes.
“To be recognized by GAPNA for work that I care so deeply about is both humbling and incredibly rewarding,” O’Neal said. “I’m also grateful to be part of the UAB School of Nursing, where I have been supported and encouraged to bring new ideas and create meaningful experiences for our students. I am proud that this award not only recognizes my work but also highlights UAB’s commitment to preparing nurses who will make a difference in the lives of older adults and their families.”
Haamankuli and O’Neal will be recognized at GAPNA’s annual conference in September.