Sandra Weiss, PhD, RN, FAAN
University of California San Francisco, School of Nursing

What advice would you give your younger self?
Identify what brings you the most joy and meaning in your work. It can be tempting to be drawn into projects or positions where others tell you you're needed or they say you have particular talents. But this can distract you from a career trajectory that may ultimately be your greatest source of contribution and satisfaction in life. It's important to make clear decisions about your priorities and stay in charge of your career.

Where is your favorite vacation spot? 
My favorite spot is anywhere in nature where I'm surrounded by wildlife, large powerful trees, vocal birds, and foliage of all kinds. The beauty and peacefulness of nature always help me 'vacate' and revive my soul!

National Nursing Research Roundtable
Nursing Research of the Future: Using Clinical Big Data to Explore Health Inequities and Social Determinants of Health
When: March 4-5 

Topics include:

Dr. Sarah Szanton will virtually present “Leveraging Strengths to Achieve Health Equity: From Clinical Insight to Program of Research” on March 4 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (ET). She will discuss the role of the environment and stressors on health disparities in older adults. 

Register here

NIH has launched a new website that will provide up-to-date information about COVID-19 research at NIH. The website will serve as a central location for all NIH COVID-related content including funding and information on vaccines, treatments, and testing.

The website's content includes information on funding opportunities, funded projects by state and congressional district, how to join clinical trials or donate plasma, and resources from NIH’s Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other federal agencies. 

A recording is now available for Dr. Zenk's lecture titled All Health Is Not Created Equal: Where You Live Matters. Her lecture social determinants of health and how vital integrative or multilevel approaches are when addressing health inequities. You can access the video here: ninr.nih.gov/newsandinformation/newsandnotes/strauslecture-2020-video

In fall 2020, NINR held a virtual workshop on innovative models of care for reducing inequities in maternal health.

The workshop explored how healthcare providers can improve maternal and infant health for women in U.S. communities affected by racial discrimination, socioeconomic inequities and other system level factors that contribute to maternal health inequities.

NINR will be hosting the 103rd open session of the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research.

Date: January 26, 2021
Time: 10:00 am - 1:15 pm ET
How to Join: NIH Videocast

NIH awarded over $107 million to support innovative approaches to COVID-19 testing and surveillance. This will support over 40 research projects and grant supplements at 43 institutions. 

NINR is supporting the following awards through the RADx initiative:

NIH is providing funding opportunities to recruit diverse research faculty. Applications for the Funding Opportunity Announcements are due March 1, 2021, with awards to be announced in 2021. 

You can read the NIH press release on these funding announcements here: NIH to fund cohort recruitment and development program to enhance diversity and inclusion among biomedical faculty.

Roy L. Simpson, RN, DNP, FNAP, FAAN, FACMI
Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

What advice would you give your younger self?
Get your doctorate before SS benefits and Medicare kick-in, but you are never too late to get it.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Provincetown, MA.

On December 22, 2020, AACN announced that Congress passed H.R. 133 the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. This will provide COVID-19 relief and funds the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. You can read the full AACN press release below. 

AACN Press Release

The National Institute of Nursing Research is accepting applications for the position of Program Officer / Health Scientist Administrator.

The role of the Program Officer / Health Scientist Administrator is to initiate, develop, manage, and provide insights for the extramural research portfolio of the NINR. 

Carol Porter, DNP, RN, FAAN 
MD Anderson Cancer Center

What advice would you give your younger self?
Life is precious so savor each day and experience. Keep your family close and celebrate the little things as well as the major milestones. Choose a career that you love and excel in your profession. At the end of each day take a moment to be thankful for the opportunity to help others. Make friends and be kind. Live, love and laugh.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I love the ocean- the rhythm of the waves, the peacefulness of nature and the many memories of good times. My favorite island destination is St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Cindy Munro, RN, ANP-BC, PhD, FAAN, FAANP, FAAAS
University of Miami School Of Nursing And Health Studies

What advice would you give your younger self?
Savor every experience along the way! And remember that relationships are the most important aspect of your professional and personal life; your relationships are the key to success.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere on or near the water- particularly anywhere we can stay on our boat, Tonic. 

All Health Is Not Created Equal: Where You Live Matters
By: Dr. Shannon Zenk
December 9, 2020 at 12:00 pm ET

NINR Director, Dr. Shannon Zenk, will give the 2020 Stephen E. Straus Distinguished Lecture. The lecture will be streamed via Videocast. Learn more about the event here. 

Register Here

Nominations are open for Research!America's four Excellence in Achievement in Public Health awards.

The awards will be presented during the virtual event on April 14, 2021. The deadline for nominations is December 2, 2020. Click here for more information. 

Nominate Here

Almost one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are showing their support for placing a high priority on improving our nation’s public health system. 73% of Americans say the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that major changes are needed in our public health system, including more funding. You can view the results of the survey here.

Source: https://www.researchamerica.org/public-health-2020

On Tuesday, November 17, Dr. Shannon Zenk announced NINR was developing its next strategic plan, to be released in late 2021/early 2022. You can visit this webpage to provide input on what you envision for the future of nursing science. You can email [email protected] with any ideas about future research directions.

Find out more here

NINR is now accepting applications for its 2021 Graduate Partnerships Program (GPP). The GPP is an Institutional Partnership that combines the academic environment of a university with the comprehensive research resources available at NIH. 

Those selected conduct doctoral coursework at the partnership university. After all coursework is completed, the fellow then comes to the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, to begin research toward a doctoral dissertation. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. Three letters of reference are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 3, 2020. Click here for more information.