As the new year begins gaining momentum, Mayo Clinic’s Department of Nursing, Division of Nursing Research is taking a moment to reflect on the research goals and accomplishments made in 2022. Hear directly from a handful of our Nurse Scientists and Post-Doctoral Research Scholars on what they’ve been working on, and what that means for our patients.
 

Each year at the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR) Annual NightinGala, FNINR confers awards to truly deserving candidates who are nominated by their peers. This year’s awards were presented on October 15, 2025 during the 32nd Annual FNINR NightinGala at the Westin Washington, DC Downtown in Washington, DC.

The Ada Sue Hinshaw Nurse Scholar Award is considered the pre-eminent award given by FNINR, which is named in honor of the first permanent Director of the National Institute of Nursing Research. Recipients have a substantive and sustained program of research that would afford them recognition as a prominent senior nurse scientist.

National Nursing Organizations Call for
Investments in Health, Research, and the Workforce
Proposed HHS Cuts would be Debilitating to Prevention, Treatment, and Access to Care

Washington, DC (April 17, 2025) – On behalf of the American Academy of Nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research, the National League for Nursing, and the Oncology Nursing Society, we are deeply disturbed by the recent news reported by the Washington Post and other outlets that the Trump Administration is proposing devastating budget cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) along with further restructuring of the agencies within HHS. While our organizations recognize that this proposal is not final and still needs to move through processes at the White House and within the Office of Management and Budget, the significance of cutting this vital health department by $40 billion as reported would be catastrophic to America’s health and safety.

Our organizations call on the Trump Administration to recalibrate their thinking of federal budget cuts to HHS and recognize that the health of individuals and communities as well as the economic repercussions would be dire. If HHS’s budget were cut this massively, the ripple effects would impact the longevity of the population. It would impact the health care workforce, the public health infrastructure, community programs, vital research, rural health, and every aspect of health in between. Prevention, treatment, and access to care would be interrupted at every level.

THE FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH™
ANNOUNCES BOARD OF DIRECTORS TRANSITION

The Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR), an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing nursing research, is pleased to announce leadership transitions and welcome new board members.

Each year at the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR) Annual NightinGala, FNINR confers awards to truly deserving candidates who are nominated by their peers. This year’s awards were presented on October 30, 2024 during the 31st Annual FNINR NightinGala at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.

The Ada Sue Hinshaw Nurse Scholar Award is considered the pre-eminent award given by FNINR, which is named in honor of the first permanent Director of the National Institute of Nursing Research. Recipients have a substantive and sustained program of research that would afford them recognition as a prominent senior nurse scientist.

The Transformative Impact of Nursing Research in Academia

By Dr. Susie Breitenstein

Every year, our Martha S. Pitzer Center for Women, Children and Youth hosts a lecture that addresses consequential issues in research that affects families. This year’s lecture on September 23 provided an especially poignant opportunity to reflect on the impact of nursing research both within our college and beyond. Our speaker, Dr. Shannon Zenk, director of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), focused on research that addresses social determinants of health (SDoH) and the opportunities for nurse scientists to realize a broad social impact.

Felesia Bowen, PhD, DNP, PPCNP-BC, FAAN
The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
I want to interact with representatives to influence policy and nurses and patients in the U.S.

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
2 years

Donna Z. Bliss, PhD, RN, FGSA, WOCNF, FAAN
University of Minnesota School of Nursing

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
I wanted to assist in supporting NINR to be able to continue to fund nursing research and to make known to legislators and the public the impact nursing research has.

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
7 years

Joan O'Hanlon Curry, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC, CPON, NEA-BC, FAAN
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
I think it is so important for nurses to be involved in policy and advocacy. It is important that we can explain the importance of nursing and nursing research to the legislators.

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
2 years

Kumhee A. Ro, DNP, MN, APRN, FAANP
Seattle University College of Nursing

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
To advocate for the nurse researchers and to help highlight the impact that nurses are making across the country

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
1 year

Terri E. Weaver, PhD, RN, FAAN, ATSF, FAASM
University of Illinois Chicago & University of Pennsylvania

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
To secure the needed legislation to continue the support for nursing research.

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
4 years

Diane M. Twedell, DNP, RN, CENP, FAAN, FAONL
Mayo Clinic Health System

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
Have always had a great interest in political process and the nursing voice is trusted by the public and policy makers!

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
I became a FNINR ambassador in 2018.

Donna M. Zucker, PhD
University of Massachusetts Amherst

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
More time to devote to policy issues.

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
One year

FNINR ANNOUNCES THE SEVENTH COHORT OF AMBASSADORS

May 15, 2024 – Lexington, KY – The Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR) are pleased to announce the selection of their seventh cohort of Ambassadors. This unique advocacy program began in 2014 and has grown to include over 50 Ambassadors, with this selection of 21 nurse scientists joining the ranks of others currently filling this role.

Ambassadors are selected from a national pool of applicants based on their abilities to advance public, health professional, and policy-maker awareness of the critical research agenda advanced by the National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR).

Lea Ann Matura, PhD, RN, FAAN
University of Pennsylvania

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
I wanted to do my part to support the important work and mission of the NINR and FNINR.

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
This is my first year.

Phyllis S. Hansell, EdD, RN, FNAP, FAAN
Seton Hall University

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
To make a difference in the funding to support nursing research.

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
Eight years.

Deborah J. Kenny, PhD, RN, FAAN
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
To become a policy advocate and promote the importance of nursing research.

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
6 years

Anne Ersig, PhD, RN
University of Wisconsin-Madison

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
Funding for nursing research is unbelievably low, compared to funding for other institutes. I know so many fantastic nurse scientists who would benefit from NINR funding; the opportunity to have an impact on the funding for the institute is fantastic!

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
2.5 years (I think?)