Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.

NEF Board Member and Scholar Nancy Roecklein, PhD, ANP-BC, AOCNP, CBCN, is one of the authors of “Building Community Among PhD-Prepared Nurses in a Health System,” published in the October 2026 issue of the American Journal of Nursing (126(10), pp. 52–56). The article was led by Bevin Cohen, Senior Director of the Center for Nursing Research and Innovation at Mount Sinai Health System and Associate Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and was written on behalf of the Mount Sinai Health System PhD-Prepared Nurses Network.

The PhD in nursing is often associated with academic careers, but the role of the PhD-prepared nurse in hospital settings is not well defined. The article addresses that gap by showing the many paths doctorally prepared nurses are taking outside of academia. "It’s about how we built a community for PhD nurses in the health system and highlights how they’re using their doctoral education in practice," said Dr. Roecklein.

The Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing (MSPSON) has been a consistent supporter of NEF and, in 2026, it was the $10,000 Sapphire Sponsor of the organization’s annual gala reception.

Dean Kimberly Glassman, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FAAN, and NEF Board Member, shared why it is important for nursing schools, and MSPSON in particular, to support NEF’s scholarships for graduate nursing education:

"Along with fellow leading institutions of nursing education, we are proud to sponsor NEF's scholarships, allowing more students to have the financial support to continue their education to reach their professional goals."

The 2026-2027 NEF Board of Directors was confirmed and celebrated on June 3, including the election of Edwidge Thomas, DNP, FAAN, as President and Kelly Reilly, PhD, RN-MC, as Secretary. Kimberly S. Glassman, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Annie J. Rohan, PhD, RN, FAANP, FAAN, have joined the board, and Jerelyn Peixoto Weiss, MS, JD, FNP, RN, has returned to it, following her retirement as Executive Director of NEF.

The combined Advisory Board and Board of Directors is now comprised of 22 leaders from the nursing, education, and business communities, donating their time and talent to the advancement of the nursing profession.

Four NEF Scholars have been named 2026 Fellows by the National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education, recognized for their contributions as leaders in higher nursing education:

• Jennifer Alderman, 2017 NEF Scholar
• Danilo Lovinaria, 2026 NEF Scholar
• Caitlin Nye, 2024 NEF Scholar
• Jennifer Roye, 2021 NEF Scholar

NEF congratulates all of the 2026 NLN Fellows on this recognition for their contributions to nursing education.

Four NEF Scholars have been named 2026 Fellows by the American Academy of Nursing, recognized for their contributions as nurse leaders:

• Yvette N. Conyers, 2017 NEF Scholar
• Suja P. Davis, 2019 NEF Scholar
• Jennifer D. Eccles, 2016 NEF Scholar
• Annie George, 2018 NEF Scholar

NEF congratulates all of the 2026 Fellows on their achievements and well-earned recognition.

Once a graduate nursing student is awarded a scholarship from Nurses Educational Funds, they are forever a member of NEF’s Circle of Scholars. Scholarship recipients are nurse leaders from across the U.S., and as they advance in their careers, the connection made between NEF Scholars can last a lifetime.

NEF Scholars are invited to submit a request to join our networking group on LinkedIn to meet other scholarship recipients, share their professional news, and learn about ways to get involved with NEF.