NEF Board Member and Scholar Annmarie Muñana, DNP, MSN, MJ, RN, CNE, 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, caregivers, health care professionals/clinicians, first responders, and others. The Monument will be a park and sculpture located in Chicago, Illinois, and its unveiling is expected in Fall 2026.
During the pandemic, Dr. Muñana was appointed as a member of the Chicago Department of Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Work Group, comprised of nationally recognized experts in vaccines, infectious diseases, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, and public health. The group’s charge was to independently evaluate and advise on the scientific and regulatory review of the FDA’s process for Emergency Use Authorization of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, to promote equity in their distribution, and to reduce vaccine hesitancy. It was Dr. Muñana’s nursing, regulatory affairs, ethics, and clinical research expertise that uniquely qualified her for this appointment; however, it was her nursing voice that provided a distinct perspective and valuable contribution to the group’s work.
To support her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership from the University of San Francisco, Dr. Muñana was the recipient of the Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF) Philip D. Raso Scholarship for 2021-2022. Since that time, she has remained committed to the NEF mission by contributing to the scholarship funds and participating in the scholarship review process, ultimately joining the NEF Board in 2024.
Annmarie’s commitment to the profession informs her vision of a diverse nursing and healthcare workforce that is prepared to meet the needs of the complex and evolving global healthcare landscape. As a healthcare leader with a global perspective, Dr. Muñana is focused on supporting policy and regulatory efforts to advance the profession, transform nursing education, and mentor the next generation of leaders – all to ultimately impact the healthcare and well-being of our communities.
(2013-2014 Winner)
Sarah Giron was awarded the Columbia University Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association/ J. M. Ida Mutch Scholarship. She will use her award to pursue her doctoral degree at the University of... read more.
NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing.
NEF’s Board of Directors is comprised of leaders from nursing, education, technology, and business communities. Members donate their time and talent to the advancement of the nursing profession. NEF operates with exceptionally low overhead. NEF employs only one individual who serves in several capacities. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status; thus, your contributions are fully tax-deductible.