Jane Eleanor Knox Scholarship
Scholarship
For Doctoral Nursing Students Who Demonstrate Nursing Leadership
In April 2018, NEF Scholar Jane Eleanor Knox bequeathed $50,000 to Nurses Educational Funds to establish a scholarship for doctoral nursing students in her name. She served as a cadet nurse during WWII, then obtained both her master's and doctoral degrees in nursing education at Teachers College Columbia University in New York. Dr. Knox was awarded an NEF scholarship in 1970. She also held a certification as a Nurse Practitioner from the University of Pittsburgh. She worked at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing from 1971 until her retirement.
This scholarship is awarded to doctoral students who illustrate a unique commitment to nursing and clearly demonstrate leadership potential.
Featured Jane Eleanor Knox Scholarship Recipients
Six doctoral nursing students have received this scholarship since its inception. These NEF Scholars have taken on leadership roles in clinical practice and scientific research, as nurse educators, and through their involvement in health care advocacy and community outreach:
Grace Schneider, DNP, CPNP-PC
2025-2026 Winner | Doctoral Degree
- Worked in pediatric critical care, home care, and forensic nursing, serving on several clinical practice and academic committees on the unit, hospital, and university level
- Holds professional certifications as a certified pediatric nurse (CPN), nurse practitioner (CPNP-PC), pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE-P) and adult/adolescent sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE-A)
- Co-led the Wisconsin Nurses Association anti-human trafficking task force and forged partnerships with anti-trafficking efforts throughout the state
- Advocated for policies to advance and invest in pediatric health at both a state and national level, traveling to Washington, D.C. and her state capital to partake in advocacy efforts
Jonathan Anotado Gapilango, DNP, MMIN, RN, NE-BC, OCN, CCRP, FNYAM
2024-2025 Winner | Doctoral Degree
- Worked as the Director of Cancer Center Administration at Community Medical Center in New Jersey
- Was Administrative Director of Oncology Performance Measures and Accreditation at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
- Taught as an adjunct professor at Pinelands School of Practical Nursing, Georgian Court University, and Central Philippine University
Elaina Parrillo, PhD, DNP, CPNP-PC
2023-2024 Winner | Doctoral Degree
- Became a nurse-clinician scientist to conduct rigorous nursing research and translate findings to her own clinical practice
- Researched how to improve cancer survivorship care for children and families during the transition to school
- Served as a member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honors Society and was the Johns Hopkins University student representative for the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Maryland Chesapeake Chapter
- Plans to work at both a research-intensive university and in primary care to advance pediatric survivorship care
Elizabeth Parker, MSN, RN-BC, CNE
2021-2022 Winner | Doctoral Degree
- Worked at the bedside and obtained certification in medical-surgical nursing while completing a Master’s in Nursing Management and Leadership
- Became a Certified Nurse Educator
- Aided in the local effort to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to public school employees
- Published a manuscript on virtual simulation in response to COVID-19 in Nursing Education Perspectives
Nathan Stefanovsky, DNP, FNP-BC
2020-2021 Winner | Doctoral Degree
- Had global health experiences in Thailand, Uganda, and Ghana focused on social determinants of health, occupational health, and exploring inter-professional collaboration in other health systems
- Served as a member of the School of Nursing Curriculum Committee and a student committee that seeks to gather student perspectives aimed at creating positive and innovative changes within the University of Michigan School of Nursing
- Worked as an emergency nurse in both a low-income intercity community hospital and a large urban hospital and for a local health department in the communicable disease unit working on the COVID-19 response
- Conducted research to assess whether motivational interviewing with farmers would result in a positive behavior change regarding noise exposure and hearing health
Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP, FAAN
2019-2020 Winner | Doctoral Degree
- Worked in pediatric critical care until her transition into academia in 2015 as adjunct nursing faculty for baccalaureate programs, Kaplan Nursing Faculty of NCLEX-RN preparatory classes for students seeking initial RN licensure, and nursing program Founding Chair and Director
- Served on the Board of Trustees for NYSMDA, the American Nurses Association-NY, and the Long Island Chapter of NAPNAP, and inducted as an Associate Member into the New York Academy of Medicine and as a Nurse Leader into Sigma Theta Tau International
- Co-founded Nurses United Against Human Trafficking (NUAHT), a professional association dedicated to abolishing modern-day slavery by educating, equipping, and empowering healthcare professionals about this human rights atrocity.
- Initiated NEF's Francine Bono-Neri Scholarship Fund for the study of human trafficking and related clinical and research areas.