Windy Williams Alonso, PhD, RN, FAHA, FHFSA
University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
2 years

Why did you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
I became interested in the FNINR Ambassador program as a PhD student over a decade ago. My predoctoral training was supported by a Ruth L. Kirschstein F31 from NINR. These funds provided key experiences that were paramount to my development. The FNINR Ambassador program is the workhorse for building and sustaining a robust funding stream for the NINR to support the innovative, groundbreaking research conducted by nurse scientists. I became an ambassador for the opportunity to advocate for nursing science, to ensure future generations of emerging scholars can secure support for their early research training, and to raise public awareness of the past and ongoing impact of nursing science as a key piece of the backbone of health care and scientific discovery.

Kyungeh An, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Thomas Jefferson University

What advice would you give your younger self?
Dream big. Make success a daily habit. Don't focus on the reasons you cannot succeed—focus on the countless ways you can. Believe, act, and keep moving forward.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Grand Teton National Park

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

What advice would you give your younger self?
Always do the right thing. It may be harder, but you can always reconcile it with yourself.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Iceland.

Colleen A. Leners, DNP, APRN, FAAN, FAANP
1stCallHEALTH

What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient with yourself.... be bold go forward without any trepidation!

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Italy and Greece

Joyce Sensmeier, RN-BC, MS, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, FAAN
HIMSS

What advice would you give your younger self?
Have faith in yourself! Your education and experience have helped you develop valuable expertise to enable you to carve out a successful career. Don't be afraid of new opportunities, even if you're being asked to do something you haven't done before. Also, stretch yourself beyond your 'day' job and volunteer for activities that you are interested in. Seek out a mentor, and take time to listen to others' experience.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) applauds Congress for passing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 [P.L. No. 119-75], which is a fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations package that includes funding for priority nursing programs within the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-ED) funding title. In particular, AACN is pleased that this legislation provides level funding for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) despite proposed cuts contained in the President’s FY 2026 budget request as well as the LHHS-ED appropriations bills debated in Congress last year.

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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.

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