Devon Noonan, PhD, MPH, FNP-BC
Duke University School of Nursing

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
I was interested in developing relationships with my representatives that could be mutually beneficial, where I could help them advance health in our area and where I could have influence in educating them about important initiative that I work on in the community. More than ever I see the need for policy to really move the needle on pressing health issues and this was one way to have involvement and push this work forward.

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
2 plus years

Joy P. Deupree, PhD, MSN, RN, WHNP-BC, FAAN
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
I love policy and have been involved in state politics for more than 20 years and wanted to become more involved in federal and national politics through the FNINR program.

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

Linda S. Weglicki, PhD, RN
Medical University of South Carolina

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
It was clear to me that the nursing profession and community, the largest segment of the healthcare industry, needed and would benefit from well informed and passionate advocates for increased congressional funding to support the National Institute of Nursing Research and its strategic mission and priorities (noting that NINR has one of the lowest budgets at NIH).

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
I believe since 2015.

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

Teri H Hernandez, PhD, RN
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
The goals of the NINR are at the forefront of my values and the values of the CU College of Nursing; our shared ideals include improving the health of individuals and families, and developing the next generation of highly trained nurse scientists who will lead the future of health by generating knowledge focused on chronic conditions, symptoms, and palliative care. To move our mutual vision forward will require courage and thoughtful advocacy through education of government leaders and key stakeholders on the importance of our work, its impact, and the resources required to support its success. I wanted to serve as an ambassador to support forward movement of these shared visions.

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
2 years

Mulubrhan Mogos, PhD, MSc
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
Commitment to serve nursing and advance nursing science.

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
2 years

Cyrus Batheja, EdD, MBA, BSN, PHN, RN, FAAN
OptumRx

What advice would you give your younger self?
Patience is necessary; Resilience is required; Care is the key

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Hawaii, Big Island

Brenda J. Baker, PhD, RNC, FAAN
American Association of Colleges of Nursing

What made you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
Opportunity to continue the work I was exposed to while a RWJ Health Policy Fellow.

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
1 year

Each year at the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR) Annual NightinGala, FNINR bestows awards to truly deserving candidates who are nominated by their peers. This year’s awards were presented on October 4, 2023 during the 30^th Anniversary 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 and is named in honor of the first permanent Director of the National Institute of Nursing Research. Recipients have a substantive and sustained program of science that would afford her/him recognition as a prominent senior scientist.

Bethsheba Johnson, DNP, APRN-BC, CNS, AAHIVE
Gilead Sciences, Inc.

What advice would you give your younger self?
Have a growth mindset and not a closed mindset. Utilize your natural resilience, perseverance in grit to believe you can do it and help others through scientific discourse.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I love anywhere with warm water and beaches. Last year it was Punta Cana and this year it was Cancun.

Teri A. Murray, PhD, PHNA-BC, RN, ANEF, FAAN
Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing

What advice would you give your younger self?
Build a strong program of research that can shape macro-level health policies to improve population health. Always connect research to outcomes. In community-based participatory research, know that community engagement is key in shaping health equity focused policy changes.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Paris

Diane M. Santa Maria, DrPH, MSN, RN, FAAN
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Cizik School of Nursing

What advice would you give your younger self?
To follow your heart, do good work, and have fun along the way.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere with my family, a beautiful view, and time to exhale.

Ashley Darcy-Mahoney, PhD, NNP-BC, FAAN
The George Washington University School of Nursing

What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell myself three things: 1) to continue to follow the work that brings the most joy and enables me to follow my interests and passions. 2) Find colleagues and teams that bring out the best part of you and challenge you to be a better version of yourself as a clinician and scientist. 3) Listen closely to parents and caregivers. They are their child's first and best teacher. Partner with them to optimize outcomes for kids.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
The beach, any beach, but I do love Kauai.

Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, CGNC, FFNMRCSI, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN
The Ohio State University College of Nursing

What advice would you give your younger self?
Realize not every opportunity offered to you is right for you at that time or perhaps ever. Be judicious, and grateful, with saying yes.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I will be in Greece and Italy and the Czech Republic this year so I may change my mind but I think my favorite spot is Aix-en-Provence in France - I received wise advice from many people I met there to “work to live, not live to work”. I am trying hard to find more balance in my life.

Adey M. Nyamathi, ANP, PhD, FAAN
University of California, Irvine, Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing

What advice would you give your younger self?
Learn early to be purposeful in your goals and intentions. Figure out early what your passion is; and what you are deeply invested in that gives you a sense of purpose and motivates you to keep moving forward. That makes all the hard work so much easier.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Japan, especially during the Sakura Hanami (cherry blossom gazing season)

Christy Dempsey, DNP, MBA, RN, CNOR, CENP, FAAN
Christina Dempsey Enterprises, LLC

What advice would you give your younger self?
Never be afraid to take a calculated risk.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Italy.

FNINR CELEBRATES ITS 30^TH ANNIVERSARY!

The Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR) is an independent, non-profit organization founded in 1993. FNINR’s mission is to strengthen and magnify the impact of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) in the advancement of nursing science.

To celebrate our anniversary, FNINR would like to honor the individuals who have helped shape the organization through donations, volunteering, and support over the past 30 years, including our current and past presidents (listed below); without all these individuals we wouldn’t be where we are today.

Usha Menon, PhD, RN, FAAN
University of South Florida College of Nursing

What advice would you give your younger self?
It's never going to be easy but a career in nursing is so worth it.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere with the ocean or mountains.

Eileen D. Hacker, PhD, APRN, AOCN, FAAN
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

What advice would you give your younger self?
Be the person that you want to be regardless of the circumstances.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere I can completely unplug.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and John Boozman (R-AR), teamed up to introduce the bipartisan Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act, legislation to ensure that nurses in the federal Nurse Corps are not required to pay federal income tax on their student loan forgiveness and scholarships.  

“As the husband of a nurse, I know frontline nurses are the backbone of communities, helping patients and families through both joyous and challenging times,” said Merkley. “Nurse Corps members build healthier communities in the areas of greatest need, and it is terrible public policy and frankly offensive that nurses are singled out for extra taxation as compared to other health professionals—it’s long past time to put an end to this.”