The 2026 NEF Gala on Wednesday, June 3, was an extraordinary evening, thanks in part to the 2025-2026 NEF Scholars in attendance, who shared updates on their progress as nurse leaders, including graduations and new appointments.
After the 80 guests enjoyed beverages and passed hors d’oeuvres, retired Executive Director and returning board member Jerelyn Peixoto Weiss and former President Joan Marren were honored for their dedicated years of service during the presentation, which also celebrated NEF’s new scholarships. Madeline Naegle spoke about the new Bea Goodwin Scholarship, and Diane Mancino introduced the Robert V. Piemonte Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship and Mount Sinai Hospital School of Nursing, NY Alumnae Association / Sylvia Barker Scholarship were celebrated for becoming fully funded this year. New staff members Ginger Berman and Kelly Gonsalves were also welcomed.
The Gala raised over $50,000 for NEF’s scholarships for master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing.
(2010-2011 Winner)
Oralia Diaz got her undergraduate degree in nursing in the spring of 1996. Since then she has been actively involved in non profits including the one she founded, Arte Sana, which assists Latina victims of sexu... read more.
NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing.
NEF’s Board of Directors is comprised of leaders from nursing, education, technology, and business communities. Members donate their time and talent to the advancement of the nursing profession. NEF operates with exceptionally low overhead. NEF employs only one individual who serves in several capacities. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status; thus, your contributions are fully tax-deductible.