Allison Adams Wieczorek has served on the Nurses Educational Funds (NEF) Board since 2006, and she is deeply committed to advancing graduate nursing education, with a particular focus on maternal-infant and pediatric care. Although not a nurse by profession, her dedication to this field has been shaped by personal experiences with maternal and pediatric care, as well as by her work with NEF scholars whose education and research address critical needs in healthcare. She has played an active leadership role within NEF, serving as Co-Chair of the Communications Committee and formerly as Chair of the Website and Social Media Committee, helping to expand the organization’s outreach and impact.

With more than 25 years of experience in finance, marketing, and content strategy, Allison currently serves as Publisher of the Financial Analysts Journal and Head of Content Asset Strategy at CFA Institute. She brings this expertise to NEF to help strengthen its mission and broaden awareness of the importance of supporting advanced nursing education.

Building on the successful fundraising of her mother-in-law, Dr. Rita Reis Wieczorek’s Maternal-Infant and Pediatric Nursing Scholarship, Allison and Rita established the Allison Adams Wieczorek Scholarship for Maternal–Infant and Pediatric Nursing. The Allison Adams Wieczorek Scholarship reached its $50,000 endowment goal in 2023 and supports graduate nurses pursuing advanced study in maternal-infant and pediatric nursing, continuing a shared commitment to nursing service, education, and leadership.

Initiated in 2011 on the death of Barbara Tate. Dr. Tate served as President of NEF and was a long time NEF Board member and member of the Finance Committee. Barbara Tate, RN, EdD. was a former Dean of the College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island. Dr. Tate dedicated her long career to the advancement of nursing and nursing education. She was the director of Research and Studies Service at the National League for Nursing, New York, NY and editor of Nursing Research. Dr. Tate was the recipient of two Fulbright Scholarships. She taught at many schools and colleges of nursing in the United States and abroad. The Barbara Tate Scholarship was initiated by Henry Spencer, past Treasurer of NEF and a colleague of Barbara Tate.

This permanent scholarship, initiated in 2026, honors Bea (Beatrice) Goodwin, a nursing leader who was passionate about excellence in nursing education. Dr. Goodwin earned her BSN from Vanderbilt University and her Master's and PhD from New York University. Her illustrious career includes roles as professor at NYU Division of Nursing and Chair and Professor, Lehman College, City University of New York. She was a founding member of Sigma Theta Tau, Upsilon Chapter (NYU) and held influential positions with the National League for Nursing. Dr. Goodwin had a distinguished career as a flight nurse and Chief Nurse of the Air Evacuation Unit in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps and Air National Guard.

Dr. Goodwin’s exemplary commitment to Nursing in Latin America began with her consultant role at the Pan American Health Organization. She helped establish the first nursing and midwifery program in Catholic University, Chile, S.A. She led an NYU project to enhance nursing education in eight countries of Latin America. She exerted efforts to create the International Nursing Research Center at the Chilean Association of Nursing Education (ACHIEN). From 2006 to 2018, as a member and of the NGO Health Committee, which holds special consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, Dr. Goodwin addressed the imperative for students and practicing health professionals to become aware of the health needs of developing and least developed countries and the inter-connectedness of all nations.

Reflecting Dr. Goodwin’s lifelong commitment to excellence in nursing education, this scholarship gives preference to a master’s or doctoral candidate whose work emulates Dr. Goodwin’s passion for nursing education and commitment to preparing exemplary future nurse educators.

Dr. Charles Hamlin, was a renowned orthopedic surgeon specializing in surgery of the hand, had outstanding training at Roosevelt Hospital, Hospital for Special Surgery, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York. Dr. Hamlin attributed his ability to form trusting relationships with his patients due to his study of the humanities and having undergone a full Freudian analysis, thereby able to sense the messages that patients try to send but are not verbalizing. Dr. Hamlin was honored by The American Society for Surgery of the Hand with the Volunteer Service Award and by the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) with the Humanitarian Award for providing years of expert care to the Navajo Nation - all at no cost to the patients. For this work, he was also presented with the Navajo Indian Health Service Directors Award. Dr. Hamlin was inspired to create this nursing scholarship in honor of Mary Vass, RN. As a high school student, she came into the Hamlin home to help in the care of the three young children. At that time, Dr. Hamlin’s Father was in the Pacific Theater during WWII for over three years. Later, Dr. Hamlin’s Father provided funds for a nursing degree for Mary Vass and she enjoyed a long career in nursing in Boston, MA.

Given Dr. Hamlin’s dedication to Native American people and culture, his named scholarship, established in 2021, will give preference to the following:

• a nurse with Native American heritage;
• a nurse focusing on the care of Native American people;
• a nurse devoted to the field of orthopedics; or
• a nurse who cares deeply about preventing burnout in the healthcare workplace.

This award underscores the importance of the study and care of people of diverse cultures; the specialty of orthopedic nursing care; and the prevention of burnout for all healthcare professionals.

A permanent scholarship established when the Columbia University-Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association, Inc. donated $50,000 for an NEF scholarship. Preference is given to a Columbia University School of Nursing student or alumnus. This scholarship honored Ms. Margaret Ada J. Mutch’s 100th birthday. Miss Mutch served in World War II as a member of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, directing nursing in Army hospitals in the European Theater of Operations. With a master’s degree, she earned the positions of assistant director of nursing and assistant professor of nursing at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York City. She was instrumental in helping to forge the bond between Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University starting back in the late 1930’s. She had the vision to understand educational trends and the needs of nursing.

In 2024, the Columbia University-Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association, Inc. (CUPHSONAA) donated $50,000 to create a second permanent NEF scholarship. Preference is given to a Columbia University School of Nursing students or alumni to study at a graduate nursing program of their choice. This scholarship honors Penny Hund West in memoriam. Ms. West graduated from Columbia Nursing in 1969. Her classmates remember her vividly and enjoyed studying and living together in Maxwell Hall. Ms. West dedicated her life to nursing and caring for others. She also trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and enjoyed presenting her exquisite culinary creations to friends and neighbors. Ms. West had many interests and talents including being an avid gardener, accomplished horsewoman, and devoted animal rescuer. Penny Hund West died in 2021.

Initiated in 2012 with a $50,000 donation, this permanent scholarship is awarded to nurses in doctoral programs studying nursing education. Cynthia Sculco is a dedicated NEF Board member who has served in many leadership capacities within NEF, including President, Vice-President, Chair of the Development Committee and Co-Chair of Criteria and Eligibility Committee.

This fund was started the year of Ms Lambertsen's death. Dr. Margaret Tyson, on her death (2008), left $20,000 to this scholarship that is given annually to a doctoral applicant in nursing education or administration. Eleanor Lambertsen’s concept of team nursing proposed in 1953, revolutionized nursing's and health care's organization. Dr. Lambertsen was named as the American Hospital Association's (AHA) first director of the division of nursing in 1958. She was appointed Dean of Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing in 1970. That same year, she became the first nurse to serve on the board of Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

This award consists of donations from Freedmen's Hospital School of Nursing, Alumni Clubs, Inc. Given annually to an exceptional African American Master's degree applicant. Estelle Massey Osborne was the first African American nurse in the U.S. to earn a master’s degree and in 1945, she became assistant professor at New York University, the university’s first African American instructor.

The Evelyn Barclay Scholarship is given with a preference to a doctoral applicant studying public health, nursing education, or research.

Evelyn Barclay held a degree in public health nursing and an M.S. in Nursing Education. Ms. Barclay dedicated her life to building the profession of nursing by increasing the number of bachelor prepared nurses. She was the founding director of the Cal State Los Angeles program in nursing. She came to the Cal State campus in 1957 from UCLA, where she served as associate dean of nursing. She built a faculty noted for its skill in teaching as well as clinical practice. The initial program was designed to advance junior-year students holding an R.N. license at the associate degree level to the BSN. Beginning in 1959, the curriculum expanded to four years, the department under Evelyn's leadership developed a four-year generic program leading freshman students directly to the BSN and eligibility for taking the R.N. state licensing exam. She earned an Outstanding Professor Award in 1968. Evelyn Barclay died on April 20, 2006 in Newburgh, New York, where she had moved when she retired from the Cal State faculty in 1969.

The Georgette Viellion Scholarship was established in 2021 with a generous donation of $50,000 given by Mary V. Insall to honor her cherished nurse friend Georgette Viellion (Gigi) in memoriam. The scholarship is dedicated to the advancement of nursing education and is intended for a doctoral student devoted to becoming a full-time faculty member. As a doctoral prepared nurse educator and leader the recipient will develop expertise in teaching and scholarship as well as a service orientation for educating future nurse leaders.

Henry Spencer is an NEF Board Member Emeritus and served as the organization’s Treasurer and Portfolio Administrator for several decades, until 2025. He previously held the position of Vice President of Investments at American Independence Corp. Geneve, and Independence Holding Company. Mr. Spencer remains an advocate of nursing, a consistently generous contributor, and a sage advisor. The Henry B. Spencer Scholarship established by Mr. Spencer, is dedicated to leadership in nursing and health care.

The NEF Board honored Mr. Spencer at the NEF Gala held in New York City on May 22, 2025, for his long-term commitment to the organization and exceptional stewardship of its portfolio. Click here to access the interview conducted with Mr. Spencer, a portion of which was shared at the Gala.

An award sum designated by the Board is given to the doctoral degree applicant who receives the highest evaluation score. Isabel Hampton Robb was an American nurse theorist, author, nursing school administrator and early leader. Hampton was the first Superintendent of Nurses at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She wrote several influential textbooks, and helped to found the organizations that became known as the National League for Nursing, the International Council of Nurses, and the American Nurses Association.

An award sum designated by the NEF Board is given to the master's degree applicant who receives the highest evaluation score. Isabel McIssac was the first chairman of the original memorial fund created in Isabel Hampton Robb’s name. From 1915-1954 two funds, the Isabel Hampton Robb Fund and the Isabel McIssac Memorial Fund, were administered by the Isabel Hampton Robb Memorial Fund Committee. In 1954 with the addition of a third fund the name of the committee was changed to Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.

In April 2018, Jane Eleanor Knox bequeathed Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. $50,000 to establish a scholarship for doctoral nursing students in her name. Dr. Knox, a 1970 NEF doctoral scholar, obtained both her Master's and Doctoral degrees in Nursing Education at Teachers College Columbia University in New York. She also held a certification as a Nurse Practitioner from the University of Pittsburgh. After deciding to move to Pittsburgh, she worked at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing from 1971 until her retirement. Ms Knox served as a Cadet Nurse during WW II. This scholarship award will be given to a doctoral student who has illustrated a unique commitment to Nursing and clearly demonstrated leadership potential.

This scholarship honoring Joan L. Conroy was established in memoriam in 2024 by her family carrying out Joan’s desire to create a continuing expression of gratitude to the nursing profession. Joan received her education at Catholic schools culminating in her B.S. degree from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. She loved music and studied the piano with a teacher from the Julliard School of music which led her to consider a career as a pianist at one point.

Later, Joan received a master’s degree in education, taught for more than twenty years and then pursued additional education in anthropology at New York University. She was a voracious reader, taught many hundreds of children how to read and after retiring continued to provide enrichment for many more years to children in the Head Start program. Joan deeply valued education. Further she valued the profession of nursing, as she was the beneficiary of the care that nurses provide to their patients.

Therefore, her scholarship is devoted to infusing her love of learning by preparing nursing educators. It is given to PhD students demonstrating a passion for educating future nurses. Further the Joan L. Conroy scholarship underscores a special interest in geriatric nursing and home health care which proved vital to Joan’s quality of life in later years. During her lifetime, donations from the Conroy Charitable Foundation were generously given to the NEF to support the mission of scholarship for leadership. This scholarship is the culmination of that generosity and will continue in perpetuity to support nursing education

The Joanne V. Pontier Scholarship was established in 2022 by Mary V. Insall with a generous donation of $50,000 to honor her cherished sister, a nurse who worked in the emergency department. The scholarship is devoted to emergency nurses interested in graduate study and nurses devoted to the study of emergency care, research, and education. Joanne V. Pontier Scholars will create a lasting legacy influencing the future of emergency nursing practice and supporting emergency nurses to advance their careers and shape emergency care, save lives, and support families.

A former NEF Scholar recipient and ANA Executive Director, the scholarship was started with $50,000. Ms. Whitaker added $5,000 each year until her death. This scholarship is given with preference to a doctoral student majoring in nursing research or organizational study.

The NSNA Scholarship honors Laura D. Smith. Ms Smith was initially a clinical nurse and after earning her master’s degree joined the staff of the American Journal of Nursing ultimately becoming Senior Editor in 1959. Her particular interest was in championing the accomplishments of student nurses by means of the “Student Page” in the AJN. She was instrumental in the birth and early development of the NSNA. The award is given to an applicant enrolled in a master's in nursing education, a PhD or EdD nursing program, who was an NSNA member in their pre-licensure nursing program and has proven excellence in nursing scholarship and service.

This permanent scholarship was established in memory of Ms. Hiemenz, a nurse from Germany. Preference is given to applicants interested in public health.

Preference for funds from this scholarship is given to applicants studying at Indiana University and interested in public health.

In the past, Dr. Carnegie contributed to this fund each year with other donors to award an annual scholarship. Former recipients often give to this fund. On her death (2008), Dr. Carnegie left $125,172.06 to NEF to be used explicitly for "black nurses enrolled in doctoral programs in memory of Dr. M. Elizabeth Carnegie." Dr. Carnegie was an educator and author in the field of nursing, known for breaking down racial barriers. She was the first black nurse to serve as a voting member on the board of a state nursing association. She was later president of the American Academy of Nursing and edited the Journal of Nursing Research.

A generous bequest from M. Janice Nelson, EdD, RN, was left to NEF and this scholarship was created to honor her in 2023. Throughout her career as an educator, administrator, founding dean, and professor, Dr. Nelson was active in many professional nursing organizations, including NEF, as President, Board Member, and Emeritus. This scholarship is dedicated to doctoral study with emphasis on nursing education and professional service through leadership in professional nursing organizations.

M. Louise Fitzpatrick, EdD, RN, FAAN, was a 1970 NEF Doctoral Scholar and a longstanding member of the NEF Board of Directors. She served as the Dean of Villanova College of Nursing from 1978 until 2017. The scholarship award, established in 2015, by Dr. Fitzpatrick’s request, is given to graduate Nursing PhD or Nursing EdD candidates with community home/health focus or Nursing PhD or Nursing EdD candidates specializing in historical research. Upon her death in 2017, the president of Villanova University announced that in honor of Dean Fitzpatrick, the College of Nursing will be named the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. Dr. Fitzpatrick bequeathed $30,000 to her scholarship fund making it a permanent scholarship named the “M. Louise Fitzpatrick Nursing Scholarship Award”.

In 2018, Madeline A. Naegle, PhD, CNS-PMH, RN, BC, FAAN, a national and international nursing leader in mental health/substance abuse education, research, and practice together with NEF created this scholarship with a preference to graduate nurses specializing in mental health nursing.

Dr. Tyson was a very active NEF Board member for many years and the Dean at Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing in New York City. Since her death in 2008, the Margaret Gould Tyson scholarship has been given annually to a doctoral applicant studying nursing education.

Created in 2020, by Margaret L. McClure, EdD, RN, FAAN, together with NEF. This scholarship fund recognizes Dr. McClure’s distinguished career. Her many accomplishments include: leading the team that conducted the original research study responsible for the Magnet Hospital program under the auspices of the American Academy of Nursing. She concluded her full-time career at the New York University Medical Center, where through the courses of two decades, she served as the executive director of nursing and administrator for hospital and institutional affairs and as vice president for hospital operations. She also served in the United States Army Nurse Corps Reserve and retired with the rank of colonel.

Dr. McClure has served Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. as a board member, officer, and now emeritus member upon her retirement. This scholarship recognizes graduate nurse leaders for their academic, research, administration, and health care policy roles.

The Mary Insall Scholarship was established in 2021, the result of a generous donation of $50,000 from Mary V. Insall, to recognize nurses interested in advanced practice, research and education in adult health, orthopedic specialization, and rehabilitation nursing at the Master’s and/or Doctoral level. This focus represents a keen interest by Ms. Insall in the field of orthopedics through her longtime affiliation with the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and therefore preference will be given to this area of specialty practice, research, and education.

In 2013, the John A. Hartford Foundation, Inc. created a permanent NEF Scholarship for $50,000 in honor of Mathy Mezey, EdD, RN, FAAN, a noted international geriatric expert. Funds from this scholarship will be used to award nurses engaged in graduate geriatric nursing programs.

The Maxine E. Elkan Scholarship was created in 2025 by Diane Mancino, EdD, RN, CAE, FAAN. This permanent scholarship is awarded to a PhD or EdD student. Maxine Elizabeth Elkan, graduate of the third class of the Montefiore Hospital School of Nursing in 1928, served as a psychiatric nurse, American Red Cross Nurse, public health and industrial nurse. Late in her career, Maxine worked as a private duty nurse at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital's Harkness Pavillion. She was also a professional photographer, designer of women’s clothes, and mastered the recorder. Preference will be given to a student pursuing a career as a nurse educator.

Seeking to discover a meaningful career led Miriam Powell to enroll in the Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing. In 2004, after a gratifying career in nursing, Ms. Powell decided to support a scholarship for one nurse each year with an annual gift to NEF. These scholarships were referred to as the Miriam M. Powell Fellowship. In 2015, the Fellowship Fund was made a permanent scholarship. Ms Powell’s scholarship is dedicated to clinical nursing leadership and scholarship.

Established in 2024, by the Mount Sinai Hospital School of Nursing, New York Alumnae Association, this permanent scholarship was named in honor of Edith G. Ryan who was a graduate of the Mt. Sinai Hospital School of Nursing class of 1916. She was the first nursing supervisor of the Semiprivate Housman Pavilion and was a beloved mentor and admired supervisor for many Sinai Graduates.

Joan Herman Bilder a graduate of the class 1955 and a faculty member at Mount Sinai Hospital School of Nursing, is also honored by this Scholarship. Ms. Bilder was a nursing leader at Montefiore, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Weiler Division where she served from 1965 until her death in 1987. The Mt. Sinai Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association has given an annual award in her name to honor nursing excellence. A scholarship in her memory was started by her husband the Honorable Judge Lawrence Bilder who was special counsel to Governor Hughes of NJ. Nurses Educational Funds will award this scholarship to master's or doctoral nursing students who have achieved academic excellence and exhibit excellence in nursing leadership.

In 2025, the Alumni Association of the Mount Sinai Hospital School of Nursing in New York initiated a scholarship fund honoring Sylvia Barker. In 2026, the scholarship was fully-funded. This scholarship is to be awarded to a master's or doctoral nursing student who exhibits exceptional and innovative "pediatric" nursing care and/or administrative services for children. Sylvia Barker graduated in 1936, from The Mount Sinai Hospital School of Nursing. She was the epitome of the words engraved on the school’s pin given at graduation, Vota Vita Nostra; “Our Live Dedicated/Devoted”.

Sylvia Barker served for many years at Mount Sinai as a Pediatric Nurse, Pediatric Supervisor, and a Pediatric Nursing Instructor. In the 1930’s when wheelchairs were made of wood. Sylvia Barker initiated “seat belts” for the children to keep them safe.

Sylvia also earned a baccalaureate and master's degree from Columbia University School of Nursing and was a recipient of the R. Louise McManus Medal, for her outstanding leadership in nursing which is the highest honor of the Nursing Education Alumni Association. She was active in the New York State Nurses Association, Nurses House, and the Alumnae Association of The Mount Sinai Hospital School of Nursing.

When the Board of Directors of the Alumnae Association decided to recognize and award their nurse graduates for outstanding nursing achievement, Sylvia Barker was the first recipient of “The Distinguished Alumna Award” in 1990.

In the past, donations from former NEF scholars accumulated in this fund. This permanent scholarship is given to master's and doctoral graduate nurses for proven excellence in nursing service and scholarship.

A permanent scholarship established in 2016, dedicated to the memory of Philip D. Raso by the Ann G. & James B. Ritchie Foundation. This scholarship is awarded to master's and doctoral graduate nurses for proven nursing excellence in leadership and management, in honor of Philip Raso’s sister, Rosanne Raso, MS. RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, FAONL an NEF Board Member, and retired Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell.

Created in 2020, by Rita Reis Wieczorek, EdD, RN, PNP, FAAN, together with NEF. Dr. Wieczorek is an NEF Board Member Emeritus and longtime board member. This scholarship is the first NEF Scholarship to focus on maternal-infant and pediatric nursing. For over four decades Dr. Wieczorek has devoted her career to providing the best maternal-infant and pediatric care to her patients as well as teaching the highest standards of care to master's and doctoral nursing students, motivating them to excel in their care for the well-being of mothers, infants and children.

Created in 2023, the Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship is devoted to nursing leadership in the Magnet Recognition Program which recognizes health-care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. Consumers rely on Magnet designation as the ultimate credential for high quality nursing.

The scholarship is given to a Master’s or Doctoral student demonstrating leadership in aspiring to achieve or continuing to achieve Magnet designation, such as being a Magnet Program Director/Coordinator, a leader of or actively involved as a member of their quality council, clinical indicator council or similar quality improvement program.

Susan Bowar-Ferres, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, is an Emeritus NEF Board Member who has dedicated many years of service to the NEF Board of Directors, as President of NEF as well as Chair of the Bylaws Committee. A nursing administrator in multiple health care service organizations spanning 50 years, Dr. Bowar-Ferres has devoted more than three decades of her professional career to the Magnet Recognition Program, serving as an appraiser, team leader and team member. Under her leadership as the Chief Nursing Officer, NYU Langone Medical Center earned two successive Magnet designations. Her dedication to the Magnet Program is ongoing. Dr. Bowar-Ferres is dedicated to excellence in practice and all that Magnet recognition means. The Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholar shares these values and aspirations.

This 2022 scholarship honors Dr. Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, and focuses on long term care of the elderly in nursing homes. Dr. Fulmer’s life's work has been devoted to geriatric nursing education, mentoring, research, and policy development. Among her many accomplishments, she is nationally and internationally recognized as a leading expert in geriatrics and is also known for the conceptualization and development of the national NICHE program and research on the topic of elder abuse and neglect, work that has been funded by the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Nursing Research. In 2021, Dr. Fulmer was named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing. This scholarship was initiated in December of 2021 by Dr. Mathy Mezey, EdD, RN, FAAN, an NEF Board member, and a noted international geriatric expert.

Martha Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship was initiated in 2025 by Lisa Ackerman, close friend and then Director of the Columbus Citizens Foundation. Raised in Gary, Indiana and a true New Yorker, Martha died as the result of traumatic head injuries from a tragic accident just outside her NYC apartment. Martha Rodriguez gave in life, working as a nurse helping patients navigate the trauma of breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In her death, she was lauded by the President of LiveOnNY, an organization that coordinates and oversees organ donations, for her last selfless act of giving. Martha donated organs that gave life and hope and helped three people lead better lives. Her zest for life was contagious, and her dedication, compassion, and expertise left an indelible mark on the lives of countless MSKCC patients and caregivers. She was a friend and mentor to many. She loved being a nurse at MSKCC and worked for more than 28 years as a nurse practitioner and for the last 15 years of her life dealing with breast cancer patients. This scholarship is awarded to nurses studying in master's or doctoral programs who are dedicated to oncology care, or women’s health, or are Latinx nurses.

Created in 2016, from the bequest of Geraldine Labecki, former Dean of Clemson University's School of Nursing from 1965 to 1980, Clemson University's first woman collegiate dean. This scholarship fund is dedicated to graduate nurses exhibiting exceptional leadership skills.

Robert V. Piemonte, EdD, RN, CAE, FAAN, championed the nursing profession as the Executive Director of the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) and other leading nursing organizations. As an advocate of shared governance, he transformed hundreds of nursing school student nurse “clubs” into pre-professional nursing associations. In preparation for professional nursing careers, students participated in decision-making and policy development at school chapters, state associations, and nationally in NSNA.

Dr. Piemonte held adjunct faculty positions at Long Island University, New York University College of Nursing, Teachers College, Columbia University, and the University of Kansas. He also held staff and volunteer leadership positions at American Nurses Foundation, American Nurses Association New York, American Society of Association Executives, New York Society of Association Executives, New Jersey State Nurses Association, Nurses Association of the Counties of Long Island (District 14), New York State Nurses Association, and Nurses House. Early in his career, he served as an Assistant Director of Nursing at the NYU Medical Center, the Director of Nursing at Gouveneur Hospital, and as a Chief Nurse with the U.S. Army Reserves 8th Medical Unit.

He received a diploma in nursing from Pilgram State Hospital School of Nursing, a BSN from Long Island University, and an MA, EdM, and Doctorate in Nursing Education (EdD) from Teachers College, Columbia University. In 1993, Dr. Piemonte was awarded an honorary doctorate (DSc) from Long Island University.

The Robert V. Piemonte Memorial Scholarship Fund supports graduate studies for RNs to become nurse educators and was initially funded in 2026 by Diane J. Mancino, EdD, RN, CAE, FAAN. Countless colleagues credit Dr. Piemonte with advancing their careers and enhancing their professional development. Through this scholarship, his legacy of extraordinary leadership will continue to advance his beloved profession.