William Lewis Holzemer, RN, PhD, FAAN
Rutgers University

What advice would you give your younger self?
Enjoy the journey.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Tokyo, Japan.

Susan B. Fowler, PhD RN NE-BC NPD-BC FCNS
Walden University

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
1 year

Why did you want to become an FNINR Ambassador?
As a nurse scientist I recognize the need for funding and conducting research meaningful to the profession, therefore I wanted to support and advocate for NINR.

Windy Williams Alonso, PhD, RN, FAHA, FHFSA
University of Virginia School of Nursing

How long have you been an FNINR Ambassador?
3 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 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.

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.

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).