ST. LOUIS, MO — The landscape of healthcare is shifting toward the home, and at the forefront of this movement is Carlita Vasser, MA, BSN, RN, CCN. On June 4, 2026, Vasser—the founder, CEO, and Director of Nursing for At Home Care—was recognized as a top regional nursing leader at the 17th Annual Excellence in Nursing Awards, held at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Presented by St. Louis Magazine, BJC HealthCare, and Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, the annual event recognizes local nurses who demonstrate exceptional clinical expertise, leadership, and an enduring commitment to community well-being.
A Night of Celebration
The evening brought together the region’s top medical professionals, healthcare executives, and nursing educators. Alongside Vasser, several prominent local figures were honored for their contributions to patient care and clinical education across the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Key Award Winners & “Perfect Score” Honorees
- Carlita Vasser (At Home Care)
- Dr. Kimberly Foxworth (St. Luke’s Hospital) — Acute Care / Family Practice / General Medicine (Perfect Score)
- Karen Graham (Mercy Hospital St. Louis) — Women’s Health
- Anne Wagner (Washington University in St. Louis)
- Abby Bisch (WashU Medicine / Goldfarb)
- Angela Clark (Goldfarb School of Nursing)
- Kimberly Danchus (Barnes-Jewish Hospital)
Notable Honorees & Finalists
- Lihua Yu (Goldfarb School of Nursing) — Educator Winner
- Shellie Hill (Saint Louis University) — Educator Finalist
- St. Luke’s Hospital Finalists — Michelle Parker, Kevin Cullinane, Kathryn Johns, and Lisa Winschel
About Carlita Vasser: A Legacy of Advocacy and Clinical Leadership
Carlita Vasser’s recognition at the 2026 Excellence in Nursing Awards marks another milestone in a distinguished nursing career spanning over 25 years. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Arts in Leadership and Management from Webster University, Vasser has built her career around community-centric health solutions and public health advocacy.
Beyond her daily operations at At Home Care, Vasser is a widely respected voice in regional and national nursing policy:
- National Standards: She was selected by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to serve on an expert panel reviewing test items for the national nursing licensure examination (NCLEX), ensuring the fairness and integrity of the exam.
- Public Health & Emergency Preparedness: Vasser co-founded the Gateway St. Louis Medical Reserve Corps—the first St. Louis City branch of the national unit designed to organize medical volunteers for local emergency responses.
- Community Wellness: Deeply committed to health equity, Vasser founded Returning to Eden-Keeping God’s Temple Healthy, a digital and radio wellness education program designed to provide health resources to underserved and minority populations across Missouri.
Pioneering Independence: About At Home Care
Founded by Vasser in 2011, At Home Care was built on a singular, vital premise: helping individuals retain their independence, dignity, and quality of life at home rather than transitioning prematurely into long-term institutional facilities.
Over the last 15 years, the agency has grown from a local initiative into a comprehensive home health provider serving over 50 counties across Missouri, with regional offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Hannibal. The agency coordinates a wide variety of specialized services designed to meet diverse community needs:
- Consumer Directed Services (CDS) & Independent Living Waivers (ILW): Empowering individuals with disabilities to direct their own personal care assistance.
- Structured Family Caregiving Waiver (SFCW): Providing financial and coaching support to family members acting as primary caregivers.
- Pediatric & Private Duty Nursing: Delivering specialized clinical support for children and young adults with complex medical needs.
- Veterans Care: Offering dedicated personal care and home support for disabled veterans and their spouses.
By combining rigorous clinical oversight with grassroots community partnerships, Vasser and her team continue to bridge the gap between institutional healthcare and personal independence for thousands of families across Missouri.
For the complete list of category winners, finalists, and in-depth profiles detailing how these regional nurses are impacting community health, view the full feature in the St. Louis Magazine 2026 Excellence in Nursing Awards.
You can watch this interview with Carlita Vasser to hear her discuss how At Home Care provides essential support services to help disabled adults, seniors, and veterans remain independent in their homes.
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