STORY AND PHOTO BY JOY PRUDEK
Jonathan Edwards has been awarded the 2026 Carl A. Gray Memorial Award for nursing excellence by the St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation’s Board of Directors and the Harvey Gray Family.
Edwards, a nurse who works in Surgical Services, was nominated by hospital staff as one who exemplifies excellence in their nursing practice. The nursing staff voted on the final selection.
This is the second time Edwards has won the award, marking only the second time there’s been a two-time recipient in the award’s history.
Edwards has been a dedicated member of St. Luke’s Wood River for more than 15 years. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to patient care, clinical excellence, and supporting his colleagues.
His peers describe him as a trusted nurse, mentor, and patient advocate who brings professionalism, curiosity, and compassion to every interaction. He is known for going above and beyond for his patients and coworkers, delivering exceptional, patient-centered care while fostering a culture of safety and trust.
Colleagues regularly point to Jonathan’s calm demeanor, strong clinical knowledge and unwavering commitment to doing the right thing. He serves as a preceptor to new and traveling nurses, willingly sharing his expertise and helping others grow in their practice. He is also known for speaking up for patient safety, engaging patients with compassion and humor and ensuring each individual feels seen, heard and well cared for.
“Jonathan consistently goes above and beyond for his patients and coworkers,” one colleague shared. “He delivers exceptional care, leads with confidence, and serves as a trusted mentor and role model.”
The presentation of the award is special, said, Megan Tanous, St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation’s chief development officer.
“It’s an opportunity to come together and celebrate the compassion, skill, and dedication our nurses bring to every patient encounter — and to recognize the impact they have on our entire community,” she added. “We hear from so many grateful patients who want to recognize the nurses who made a difference in their experience. This celebration reflects the deep appreciation our community has for their care and compassion.”
The Harvey Gray Family established the annual award in the St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation to honor Carl A. Gray, whose experience as a patient inspired a lasting legacy of recognizing exceptional care.
Awards of distinction were also given in areas aligned with St. Luke’s iCARE values. Honorees included Cassandra Petosky, RN, Lead Family Medicine, who was recognized for Integrity; Meghan MacDonald, RN, Emergency Services, for Compassion; Meredith Toevs-Jones, RN, Mother/Baby Unit, for Accountability; and Lexie Hook, RN, Lead Internal Medicine, for Respect.