Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (8/18/2026) – For the eighth year, Independence Blue Cross (IBX) has taken time to honor and celebrate our region's top nurses for their exceptional acts of caring with the Celebrate Caring campaign. Earlier this month, Gwynedd Mercy University alumni and the women's lacrosse program, Sarah (Lombardi) Bruno, BSN, RN, CPN, '14 '16 was selected as one of three remarkable winners - chosen from hundreds of nominations - to receive the Sunshine Award, named in honor of the late Paula Sunshine, former IBX senior vice president and chief marketing executive, who helped launch the campaign in 2019.
 
A pediatric nurse at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Bruno demonstrated extraordinary compassion and commitment to helping children and their families. Her nomination was highlighted by the creating a trauma clothing closet for children entering foster care, as well as, assisting a pediatric oncology patient participate in a family wedding while receiving hospital care. These two remarkable acts of kindness are just small examples of her creativity, empathy, and dedication to providing moments of comfort, connection, and joy when they are needed most. 
 
In addition to Bruno, Ian Montgomery, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, of Virtua Marlton Hospital and Madison Schmus, BSN, RN, CWOCN, of Penn Medicine were recognized with Sunshine Awards. Each winner will receive a $500 gift card, a $2,500 donation to a nonprofit organization of their choice, and recognition at a Phillies home game. The honorees will be featured on iHeartRadio and 6abc. Read more about their stories on the IBX Newsroom.