Heather Williams Honored as Virginia’s Nurse of the Year
Published on May 19, 2026
Arlington Public Health is celebrating one of its own after Heather Williams, RN, was named Virginia’s Nurse of the Year by the Virginia Department of Health—an honor that reflects both individual excellence and the impact of public health work across the community.
The recognition, announced May 11 at an event hosted on the Department of Human Services campus, capped a remarkable year for Williams. Earlier this year, she also earned Northern Virginia Regional Nurse of the Year and Arlington Public Health Nurse of the Year, placing her among a small group of nurses statewide to receive all three honors in the same year.
For Arlington Public Health leaders, the moment is about more than awards; it’s about what Williams’ work represents.
“Heather’s work reflects the very best of public health nursing,” said Dr. Deidra Parrish, director of Arlington Public Health. “She leads with compassion, clinical excellence and a deep commitment to equity. Her impact is felt every day by students, families and our broader community.”
Caring for the Whole Community
Williams has served Arlington for more than six years and currently supports students as a public health nurse at Wakefield High School, in partnership with Arlington Public Schools. There, she provides clinical care while helping young people and their families navigate access to health services, from primary care and dental support to other essential resources.
Her work is grounded in a core principle of public health: meeting people where they are. In 2025 alone, she helped connect more than 100 students to community providers and delivered hundreds of vaccines through the school-based clinic, helping remove barriers to care and improve health outcomes.
That approach reflects Arlington Public Health’s broader mission to advance health equity, prevention and access for all residents, regardless of background, language or insurance status.
Beyond the Clinic Walls
Williams’ work extends well beyond the school setting, showing how public health reaches people across everyday spaces in Arlington.
She contributes to teen health education and supports young families through the Teen Parenting Program. She also volunteers as a mentor to teen mothers and helps lead community outreach focused on substance use prevention, overdose awareness and harm reduction through the Arlington Addiction Recovery Initiative.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb underscored the broader significance of that work, noting that public health happens in many settings—not just in clinics.
“When a nurse shows up with that level of dedication and compassion, they’re not just providing care—they’re building trust that can last a lifetime,” he said in a statement recognizing Williams’ achievement.
A Reflection of Public Health in Action
Williams’ recognition highlights the vital role nurses play in Arlington’s public health system by supporting prevention, strengthening community partnerships and helping residents access the care they need to thrive.
For Williams, the work is deeply personal.
“I am giving back through education and sharing kindness and empathy, which every human deserves,” she said.
That commitment continues to shape her service to Arlington and serves as a reminder of the human connection at the heart of public health.
As Arlington Public Health celebrates this milestone, leaders say Williams’ recognition reflects a broader truth: strong, compassionate public health systems are built by people who show up every day to care for their community.
