Francesca "Frankie" Gardella, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, CNE, is the 2026-2027 recipient of the Mount Sinai Hospital School of Nursing, New York Alumnae Association / Edith G. Ryan and Joan Herman Bilder Scholarship. Francesca is a distinguished nurse educator and clinical leader whose 24-year career reflects a deep commitment to nursing excellence, academic innovation, and critical care.

Driven by a passion for mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals and elevating clinical standards, Francesca transitioned into education to foster supportive, inclusive, and evidence-based learning environments for nursing students. Her journey has been defined by a continuous pursuit of knowledge and a dedication to improving patient outcomes through active learning strategies and rigorous scholarly inquiry.

Francesca’s educational foundation includes an Associate Degree of Science in Nursing from Santa Barbara City College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Phoenix. She is currently a PhD candidate in Nursing Education at the University of Northern Colorado, where her doctoral dissertation focuses on the development and evaluation of cutting-edge delirium curricula. She selected this particular graduate program for its exceptional focus on pedagogical excellence and its alignment with her research goal: preparing future nurses to manage complex clinical challenges using high-fidelity simulation and asynchronous digital modalities.

As an Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Francesca provides exceptional didactic and clinical instruction across Adult Med-Surg, Critical Care, and Obstetrical courses. Highly regarded by her students and peers, she served as the nominated Guest Faculty Speaker at the undergraduate nursing convocation ceremonies in 2023, 2025, and 2026, and she has been recognized with the prestigious OHSU DAISY Award.

Alongside her academic appointment, Francesca maintains clinical expertise as a Per Diem Charge Registered Nurse in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. Her research on delirium evaluation and management is widely recognized, featuring collaborative projects with Dr. Biren Kamdar at UC San Diego and presentations at the American Delirium Society Conference. Additionally, her commitment to global human rights and healthcare ethics led to her selection for the prestigious Medical Review Auschwitz immersive educational program in Kraków, Poland.

Receiving this scholarship represents a pivotal milestone in Francesca’s career and provides vital support as she completes her doctoral dissertation, reinforcing her platform as a scholar-leader. With her PhD, Francesca aims to expand her impact within doctoral-level nursing instruction and secure a core faculty assignment, where she can design innovative curricula, lead system-wide educational initiatives, and empower future nurse educators to advance the discipline.