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 enjoyed beverages and passed hors d’oeuvres, retired Executive Director and returning board member Jerelyn Peixoto Weiss and former President Joan Marren were honored for their dedicated years of service during the presentation, which also celebrated NEF’s new scholarships. Madeline Naegle spoke about the new Bea Goodwin Scholarship, and Diane Mancino introduced the Robert V. Piemonte Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship and Mount Sinai Hospital School of Nursing, NY Alumnae Association / Sylvia Barker Scholarship were celebrated for becoming fully funded this year. New staff members Ginger Berman and Kelly Gonsalves were also welcomed.
The Gala raised over $55,000 for NEF’s scholarships for master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing.
2026 Gala Photos
FEATURED SCHOLAR
Kiara Nuñez
(2026-2027 Winner)
Kiara Nuñez, BSN, RN, is the honored 2026-2027 recipient of the Martha Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship from Nurses Educational Funds. She is a proud Latina and Brooklynite who is currently pursuing her Master’s... 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.
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.