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 graduate nursing 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.

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.

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.

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.