Isabel McIsaac Scholarship
For Nurses Demonstrating Leadership While Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Nursing
Isabel McIsaac was twice president of the American Journal of Nursing Company, president of the Society of Superintendents (which later became the National League for Nursing), and the first chairman of the Isabel Hampton Robb Fund. In 1914, upon her death, the Isabel McIsaac Memorial Fund was established and administered by the Isabel Hampton Robb Memorial Fund Committee until 1954, when these funds were joined by a third and renamed Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.
Each year, the Isabel McIsaac Scholarship is awarded to the master’s degree applicant who receives the highest total evaluation score from the nurse leaders who review all of the scholarship applications
Featured Isabel McIsaac Scholarship Recipients
The nursing students who receive this scholarship demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and leadership qualities. The experiences shared by these featured recipients embody the values put forth by Isabel McIsaac:
Jamie Ferris, BSN, RN, IBCLC, CMGT-BC
- Works in pediatric primary care in Rhode Island as a Pediatric Nurse Care Manager, serving as a clinical resource for patients and families, leading a pediatric telephone triage team, and coordinating care for children with complex medical needs
- Is board-certified in care management (CMGT-BC) and is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
- Serves as a Lead Lactation Community Program and Policy Specialist, working with the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Care Transformation Collaborative of Rhode Island to advance statewide breastfeeding initiatives
- Serves as a member of Sigma Delta Upsilon, the Salve Regina University chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
Irene Lee, BSN, RN, CCRN
- Works as a neuro-trauma critical care nurse, committed to providing high-quality and compassionate care to patients and families at vulnerable times
- Completing primary care training at Chinatown Medical Services, while serving as a representative on the hospital’s Community Outreach Council
- Published an opinion-editorial in support of Pennsylvania House Bill 2374 to expand abortion access
Frieda Bequeaith, RN
- Began their career in healthcare as a full-spectrum doula and sexual health educator, working with a community doula program in the Midwest to provide free services to low-income pregnant people, trainings, and mentorship for new doulas
- Involved in various forms of reproductive health advocacy, harm reduction work, and mutual aid projects over the past 10 years
- Led the 2024-25 US Health Justice Class at Yale School of Medicine and volunteered at HAVEN, a student-run free clinic for uninsured people in New Haven, CT
- Plans to work as an APRN to provide reproductive care services to LGBTQ+ communities