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Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.

Since 1912, NEF has awarded more than 1,500 scholarships for advanced degrees in nursing.
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How to Show Appreciation for a Nurse: 10 Meaningful Ways to Say Thank You

A nurse's impact rarely stops with one patient. Nurses educate families, mentor colleagues, improve systems, conduct research, teach future nurses, and lead healthcare organizations. There are many ways to thank a nurse, from a handwritten note to re... read more.
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MPSON Supports NEF

The Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing (MSPSON) has been a consistent supporter of NEF and, in 2026, it was the $10,000 Sapphire Sponsor of the organization’s annual gala reception. Committed to innovation, academic excellence, and student access... read more.
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2026 NEF Gala Raises Over $55,000

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 e... read more.
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Annmarie Muñana Appointed to COVID-19 Monument Comm.

NEF Board Member and Scholar Annmarie Muñana, DNP, MSN, MJ, RN, has been appointed to the COVID-19 Monument Commission, which is planning and fundraising for the only national monument to honor and remember those affected by COVID-19: patients, careg... read more.
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Robert V. Piemonte Memorial Scholarship Fund

Robert V. Piemonte, EdD, RN, CAE, FAAN, championed the nursing profession as the Executive Director of the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) and other leading nursing organizations. As an advocate of shared governance, he transformed hundre... read more.
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Jerelyn Weiss to Rejoin NEF Board

After 10 years of dedicated service, Jerelyn Weiss, MS, JD, FNP, RN, Executive Director of NEF, retired from her position on February 28, 2026. Jerelyn’s association with NEF began as a member of the Board of Directors, beginning in 2011 and extendin... read more.
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Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship

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... read more.
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NEF Mourns Charles Hamlin, MD, 1939 - 2026

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 inju... read more.
In Memoriam

New Staff at NEF

NEF is pleased to announce Virginia “Ginger” Berman, BS, MA , has joined the organization as Executive Director. Former Executive Director Jerelyn Peixoto Weiss, MS, JD, RN, FNP, has retired and will rejoin NEF’s Board of Directors in June 2026. Ging... read more.
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THE BEA GOODWIN SCHOLARSHIP

This permanent scholarship, initiated in 2026, honors Bea (Beatrice) 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 Univ... read more.
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NEF Scholar Celebration

Nurses Educational Funds is proud to present the October 23, 2025, NEF Scholar Celebration Video. The event, honoring the 2025-2026 NEF Scholars was well attended by NEF Board Members, Members Emeritus; scholarship benefactors; scholarship facilitato... read more.
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NEF Receives Three New Scholarships

In August 2024 the "Columbia University – Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association Inc./Penny Hund West" Scholarship was established. This is the second Columbia University Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association... read more.
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NEF GALA, A SUCCESS!

2024-2025 NEF Scholars, Claire Petchler, Kelly Priti, Jocelyn Marx, NEF President Joan Marren, Adedeji Ademola An enthusiastic group of nursing leaders, nursing educators, health care business executives, NEF Board members and NEF Scholars came toget... read more.
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Interview with Henry B. Spencer, NEF Treasurer and Portfolio Administrator

The following interview by Joan Arnold with Henry B. Spencer took place on May 16, 2025. Mr. Spencer is an NEF Board Member and served as NEF Treasurer and Portfolio Administrator for several decades. After relinquishing his position as Portfolio Adm... read more.
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Lawrence J. Siegel, MBA, JD, 1943 - 2025

On February 16, 2025, NEF lost a member of the NEF Board of Directors, Larry Siegel. Larry Siegel served for over 20 years at New York University in a series of management and development positions, including Assistant Dean for External Affairs at th... read more.
In Memoriam

Interview with Domenic Testa

The following interview by Jerelyn Weiss with Dominic Testa took place on January 9, 2025. Mr. Testa is a NEF Board Member Emeritus and was the NEF Treasure during the 1970's and early 80s. Joining Jerelyn Weiss in the interview is Susan Bowar-Ferres... read more.
Board

Thelma Schorr, BSN, RN, FAAN, 1924 - 2024

The Nursing Community Loses A Living Legend, Thelma Schorr When she left home at the age of 17 to attend nursing school, Thelma Schorr (nee Mermelstein) could not have predicted what lay ahead—forty years at the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) comp... read more.
In Memoriam

Jo Kirsch, EdD, RN, 1939 - 2024

Jo Kirsch, EdD, RN, passed from our lives November 5, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Bernard Kirsch (deceased in 2010). Devoted mother of, and survived by, Sally and her husband Stephen Fisk, Samuel and his wife Emily. Jo is also survived by five... read more.
In Memoriam

NEF Celebrates the 2024-2025 Scholars

The video of NEF's celebration of this year's NEF Scholars captures the stories of master's and doctoral nurses from 32 nursing programs across the United States. Learn what extraordinary accomplishments they have achieved in providing advanced clini... read more.
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Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship Fund

Created in 2023, the Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship is devoted to nursing leadership in the Magnet Recognition Program which recognizes health-care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing pra... read more.
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FEATURED SCHOLAR

Laura Koke

Laura Koke

(2025-2026 Winner)

Laura Koke RN, BSN, CPN, CPHON is honored to be awarded the Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana follow... read more.

Support Graduate Nursing Education

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by nurses for nurses in 1912, and since then, the organization has awarded over 1,500 scholarships to support the pursuit of advanced degrees in nursing.

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NEF’s named scholarships, created with a minimum donation of $50,000, honor and memorialize nurse leaders, from Isabel Hampton Robb to Thelma Schorr to Susan Bowar-Ferres. 100% of donations help to keep NEF scholarships funded in perpetuity; organization expenses are covered by prudent management of NEF’s investments.

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