Kasey Shakespear Honored with Friend of Nursing Award by Nightingale Education Group

Rural Health Association of Utah Executive Director recognized for supporting nursing education and expanding opportunities for rural communities

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Kasey Shakespear, MHA, MPH, MA, Executive Director of the Rural Health Association of Utah (RHAU), was honored with the prestigious Friend of Nursing Award by Nightingale Education Group during its NightinGala on August 20, 2026.

The Friend of Nursing Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and commitment have made meaningful contributions to nursing and healthcare. The honor celebrates those who support the advancement of the nursing profession, strengthen access to education and care, and help create new opportunities for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Shakespear was recognized largely for his efforts to support Nightingale Education Group and its mission to expand access to high-quality nursing education, particularly for students and communities in rural areas. Through his leadership at RHAU, Shakespear has worked alongside Nightingale Education Group to explore opportunities to reduce barriers to nursing education and strengthen pathways for rural students and communities seeking to grow their healthcare workforce.

Nightingale Education Group has emerged as an innovative leader in nursing education, using flexible and accessible educational models to help meet the nation's growing demand for nurses. Its commitment to expanding educational opportunities aligns closely with RHAU's mission to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce and ensure that geography does not limit access to education or opportunity.

“Receiving the Friend of Nursing Award from Nightingale Education Group is an incredible honor,” said Shakespear. “I have been especially impressed by Nightingale's commitment to finding new and innovative ways to expand access to nursing education. For rural communities, workforce challenges are among the greatest barriers we face, and expanding opportunities for individuals to pursue nursing education can have a lasting impact on the future of healthcare in these communities.”

Shakespear's work with RHAU has focused on bringing together healthcare organizations, educational institutions, policymakers, and community leaders to address the challenges facing rural healthcare. His support of Nightingale Education Group reflects his broader commitment to building partnerships that create meaningful pathways into healthcare careers and strengthen the workforce serving rural Utah.

“In rural healthcare, nurses are often the backbone of the entire healthcare system,” Shakespear said. “They serve in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, public health, schools, and countless other settings. Supporting organizations like Nightingale that are working to expand access to nursing education is one of the ways we can help ensure that rural communities have the workforce they need in the future.”

The recognition also reflects Shakespear's belief in the importance of collaboration between healthcare organizations and educational institutions. By connecting rural healthcare providers with innovative education partners, opportunities can be created to better align nursing education with workforce needs and help rural communities develop and retain the healthcare professionals they depend upon.

“I am incredibly grateful to Nightingale Education Group for this recognition,” Shakespear said. “The work they are doing to advance nursing education and create new pathways for students is important, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to support their efforts. I look forward to continuing our work together to create more opportunities for individuals in rural communities and strengthen the future nursing workforce.”

The Nightingale Education Group presented the award as part of its annual NightinGala, an event recognizing individuals and organizations who are helping shape the future of nursing and healthcare through education, leadership, advocacy, and innovation.

About Kasey Shakespear

Kasey Shakespear, MHA, MPH, MA, serves as Executive Director of the Rural Health Association of Utah, a statewide organization dedicated to strengthening healthcare in Utah's rural communities. Under his leadership, RHAU has expanded its advocacy, education, networking, and technical assistance efforts while developing partnerships designed to strengthen rural healthcare delivery and workforce capacity.

About the Rural Health Association of Utah

The Rural Health Association of Utah is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of rural Utahns by strengthening rural healthcare organizations, supporting healthcare professionals, advancing advocacy, and fostering collaboration across Utah's rural healthcare system.