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The 2025-2026 NEF Scholars attend 26 different Graduate Nursing Programs across the United States.
Make a donation to NEF and support the future of nursing leadership.
This year’s NEF Gala Reception will take place on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Columbus Citizens Foundation Townhouse located at 8 East 69th Street, New York City. We will be celebrating multiple new scholarships, honoring outgoing Executive Director Jerelyn Weiss, and remembering Bea Goodwin.
Sponsorships from $1,000 to $25,000 fund scholarships for nursing leadership education. When you pledge or donate by March 31, 2026, your sponsorship will be recognized in the Gala invitation; on NEF social media; on screen at the event and in the printed program; and on the home page of NEF’s website. All NEF Gala sponsorships are tax-deductible.
NEF is the recipient of an anonymous $50,000 donation, designated for the Henry B. Spencer Scholarship, which is dedicated to leadership in nursing and health care. Mr. 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 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. A complete interview with Mr. Spencer, a portion of which was shared at the Gala, can be accessed via the link below.
The Department of Education has released its proposed rule on graduate student loans, and it excludes nursing from the list of professional degree programs. If the rule passes, graduate nursing students would only be eligible for half the federal loan support as medical students, which could severely reduce access to higher education for nurses, resulting in fewer nurse leaders and educators.
Please join the American Nurses Association in submitting a public comment on the proposed rule via the link below. Comments submitted during the federal rulemaking process are public and part of the official record. Agencies are required to review and thoughtfully consider them before issuing a final rule.
Dr. Charles Hamlin, a renowned orthopedic hand surgeon and humanitarian, passed away on January 14, 2026. Among his copious accomplishments, he started a clinic in Colorado to improve the hand functionality of patients with spinal cord and brain injuries, and founded the Chinle Hand Clinic, which provided surgical services to people from the Navajo Nation at no cost.
An NEF scholarship was created in his name in 2021, with the help of board member Cynthia Sculco, and awarded in 2022 to Zachary Taylor, in 2023 to Catherine Stephens, in 2024 to Jason Bloomquist, and in 2025 to Lizzet Carmona. The award furthers Dr. Hamlin’s priorities: the study and care of people of diverse cultures; the specialty of orthopedic nursing care; and the prevention of burnout for all healthcare professionals.
Created in 2023 and fully funded in 2026, the Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship is devoted to nursing leadership in the Magnet Recognition Program, which recognizes healthcare 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.
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. Under her leadership as the Chief Nursing Officer, NYU Langone Medical Center earned two successive Magnet designations. 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.
NEF is pleased to announce Virginia “Ginger” Berman, BS, MA, has joined the organization as Executive Director, and Melinda Kretschmer, BS, MEd, has joined as Executive Assistant. Former Executive Director Jerelyn Peixoto Weiss, MS, JD, RN, FNP, has retired and will rejoin NEF’s Board of Directors in June 2026.
Ginger has collaborated with leaders for over 20 years to accomplish extraordinary marketing and fundraising projects.
Melinda has extensive experience in administrative management, customer support, higher education, and program coordination.
Nurses Educational Funds is proud to announce the establishment of the Bea Goodwin Scholarship for nurse educators created in memory of Beatrice "Bea" Goodwin, MS, PhD, RN, a nurse leader extraordinaire.
This permanent scholarship, initiated in 2026, honors Bea 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.
Brittney Sullivan, 2016-2017 NEF Scholar
For over 100 years, NEF has funded scholarships for master's and doctoral nursing degrees, thanks to the generosity of our donors. Join our community of supporters by donating today!
Learn more about our permanent scholarships or contact Ginger Berman, Executive Director, gberman@n-e-f.org, for information about other giving opportunities.
NEF is a 501(c)3 organization; your contribution is tax-deductible.
Pin for Scholarship Recipients
NEF's mission is to promote leadership and health equity through scholarship support for professional nurses seeking master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, service and research.
NEF's vision is to be a national leader in providing scholarships to nurses that benefit nursing, health care and the global community.
Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. Scholarship for Leadership 
