A President's Message
As we reflect on the past year, we are reminded of the incredible resilience and dedication of the nursing profession. The Illinois Nurses Foundation has continued its mission to elevate, transform and inspire the nursing profession throughout our state. We have witnessed firsthand the passion and commitment our nurses demonstrate every day, whether they are providing direct patient care, advocating for better healthcare policies, or advancing the future of nursing through education and research.
This year has been one of both challenge and opportunity. Nurses have once again stepped up in unprecedented ways to meet the needs of their communities, and the Foundation has worked diligently to ensure they have the support and resources they need to thrive. From providing scholarships, to recognizing emerging nursing leaders to funding important research initiatives, our work continues to impact the future of nursing in Illinois.
I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made, and none of it would be possible without the unwavering support of our donors and volunteers. Together, we are strengthening the foundation of our profession, fostering a culture of lifelong learning, and ensuring that nurses in Illinois are equipped to provide the best care possible.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to our mission and excited for the opportunities that lie ahead. We are confident that through continued collaboration and innovation, the Illinois Nurses Foundation will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of nursing.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Together, we are making a difference, one nurse at a time.
Sincerel
Amanda Oliver BSN, RN, CCRN, CPST President, Illinois Nurses Foundation
Fiscal Year 2024 Financials
In the fiscal year 2024, the Illinois Nurses Foundation (INF) spent 50.5% of its operating expenses on nursing programs, 23 8% on administration, and 25 8% on fundraising. All program spending is directly for Illinois nurses and their educational and research needs.
Since 2003, the INF has funded $170,325 in scholarships to over 146 undergraduate and graduate student nurses.
2024 RURAL HEALTH PROJECTS
Building a Stronger Rural Healthcare Workforce
The Illinois Nurses Foundation is committed to addressing rural healthcare disparities through strategic workforce development. Our Rural Health Initiative focuses on strengthening the pipeline of nursing professionals in underserved areas by providing financial support for nursing education and incentivizing long-term retention in rural Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Scholarships: Investing in Future Nurses
Launched in the fall of 2024, the Rural Workforce Development Nurse Scholarship supports nursing students from rural communities, as identified by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Scholarships aim to alleviate financial barriers and ensure graduates return to serve in rural areas, directly addressing the workforce shortage. By fostering a new generation of rural nurses, this initiative strengthens access to quality healthcare in underserved regions.
Retention Awards: Strengthening Rural Healthcare Stability
Opening in the Summer of 2025, the Nurse Retention Program targets experienced nurses committed to rural FQHCs.
Retention awards will be granted to nurses who have served at least one year, with supervisor recommendations ensuring the selection of dedicated professionals. This initiative aims to reduce turnover, improve job satisfaction, and maintain continuity of care in rural communities.
Driving Sustainable Impact
Through scholarships and retention programs, the Illinois Nurses Foundation is actively working to create a sustainable rural healthcare workforce. These efforts enhance care access, reduce disparities, and ensure that Illinois' rural communities receive the quality healthcare they deserve. These two initial programs are funded by two generous grants, each in the amount of $25,000. We are actively looking for additional partners who are interested in helping to maintain sustainability in these programs. t
One of the primary functions of the Illinois Nurses Foundation is to provide scholarships to students who have decided to major in nursing or to nurses who are looking to continue their education. $25,500 in scholarships were awarded in 2023.
2024 Scholarship Recipients
School/College
South Suburban Nursing Kayla Savage Saint Xavier University
Dr. Wendy Burgess Memorial Rebekah Moeller Loyola University Chicago
Dr. Wendy Burgess Memorial Lillie Gorby Loyola University Chicago
District 2
Alexus Maldonado University of St. Francis
District 2 Brianna Kelderhouse University of St. Francis
District 21 Claudia Choe University of Illinois Chicago
Arthur L. Davis Laurel DeMay MENP program at DePaul University
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Next Generation Caitlin Vera DePaul University
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Next Generation Shirley Rivera Chamberlain University
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Next Generation Tiffany Moore
Chamberlain University
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Next Generation Sohaib Mir Rush University
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Next Generation Daniela Rendon DePaul University
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Next Generation Eric Peprah Osei University of Illinois Chicago
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Next Generation Araceli Orozco Illinois State University
Dr. Alma J Labunski Memorial Claire Ginsberg Loyola University Chicago
Dr. Alma J Labunski Memorial Ji Na Choi North Park University
Dr. Alma J Labunski Memorial Iram Ahmad North Park University
Sonne Cedar Toavs DePaul University
2023 Emerging Nurse Leaders
Angela Andrews PhD, RN-BC, CNE
Kate Barrett MSN, RN, NE-BC Kathryn Behling MBA, MSN-RN Karena Brown MSN, RN, CMSRN
Dana Campbell MSN, RN, CNRN, SCRN
Amanda Connoyer DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Sherri Crumley MSN, RN, CNOR, NE-BC
Mackenzie Daniels BSN, RN
Amy Driscoll DNP, RN, GCNS-BC, CDP
Karla G. Echeverria RN
Aaron D. Franklin DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Shana L. Freehill DNP, RN, NPD-BC
Leticia Garcia BA, RN
Jacy Ghast DNP, RN
Margaret Gladman DNP, RN, CBCN, CMSRN
Colleen Haynes MSN, CMSRN
2023 Emerging Nurse Leaders
Brittany Judge MSN, RN Katie Kean BSN, RN, OCN
Eleni Key MSN-Ed, RN Hyejin Kim PhD, RN
Anne Kowalczyk DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, AMB-BC, CPN, CNE
Katie Krawzak DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC
Megan Kupferschmid MSN, RN, CCRN-K, NE-BC
Annie Lally BSN, RN
Faye Lewis MSN, RN
Michael L. Liwanag DNP, MBA, RN-BC, NEA-BC
Jessica Madrigal MSN, RN, CHSE
Anne O’Boye MSN, RN, CCTC
Shannon O'Shea MSN, RN, CNE, CNL
Allison K. Palhegyi MSN, RN Jenna Palmisano BSN, RN, PEL-CSN
Kelly J. Perez DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
2023 Emerging Nurse Leaders
Carrie Quinn MSN, RN
Eleanor Rivera PhD, RN
Haley Sachs BSN, RN, PEL-CSN
Jennifer Sandoval DNP, MSN, RN
Roshni Bhupendra Shah MSN, RN
Jill Trzaska MSN, RN, BMTCN, OCN, CNL
Stephanie Zidek MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC
Lisell Zuniga BSN, RN, PEL-CSN
2023 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dr. Maureen Shekleton's distinguished career in healthcare has significantly shaped nursing in Illinois, beginning with her foundational work at Lewis University in the late 1970s. As the curriculum and accreditation coordinator, she successfully spearheaded the initial accreditation of the BSN program, solidifying her role as a pivotal figure in nursing education. Her leadership prowess extended to her tenure with the Illinois Nurses Association and various other prestigious organizations, where she advocated vigorously for nursing practices and policies Notably, Dr Shekleton also made groundbreaking contributions to the field of respiratory nursing and played a crucial role in the development of the Magnet Recognition Program. As the founding president of the Illinois Nurses Foundation, she served on the board for over 22 years as a historian, mentor, educator, and friend to many. She has significantly influenced nursing policy, practice, and philanthropy. Her commitment to education continued at Rush University, where she mentored countless nursing students, preparing them to excel and innovate in their own careers. Dr. Shekleton's legacy, marked by her relentless advocacy, educational initiatives, and national contributions, underscores her enduring impact on the nursing profession and her role in enhancing healthcare policies and practices.
2023 Nurse of the YearFinalists
Dr Cheryl Anema PhD, RN
Dr Analia Elizalde DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PEL-CSN
Dr Monique Reed PhD, MS,
Dr Jennifer Sandoval DNP, MS,
Susana Gonzalez MHA, MS, RN, CNML
RN, FAAN
RN-BC
2023 2023 Nurse of the Year
Dr. Jennifer Sandoval DNP, MS, RN-BC
Thank you to our Donors Thank you to our Donors
Rachel Adekoya
Oluwakemi Adeyemi
Lisa Anderson-Shaw
Cheryl Anema
Elizabeth Aquino
Jordan Ashley
Dean Baron
Steve Barrett
Jackie Barrett
Elizabeth Beranek
Eric Bergman
Nolan Bernicky
Becca Bigelow
Kathryn Booth
Melissa Breth
Andrea Buechel
Bridget Buechel
Tiffany Buford
Tarsis Buitrago Garcia
Sara Bynon Neely
Susan Cammack
Dana Campbell
Wendy Campos
Patria Cando
Meghan Carlson
Timothy Carrigan
Chad Carroll
Jie Chen
Susan Clark
Yalanda Comeaux
Lisa Conley
Lisa Coy
Stephanie Crawford
Jan Daniels
Mackenzie Daniels
Katherine Davey
Sam Davis
Nenette de los Trinos
Katherine de los TrinosOcampo
Blanca DeGeronimo
Pam Di Vito- Thomas
Amanda Dirnberger
Danuta Dodson
Kyle Doubrava
Ethel Doyle
Amy Driscoll
Latanya Dunn
Katherine Earnest
Karen Egenes
Willien Erasmo
Mary Erffmeyer
Irina Evans
Raechel Ferry-Rooney
Eliseo Flores
Sarah Foggy
Dan Fraczkowski
Lou Freckman
Alani Frederick
Wilfrido Fuentes Aviles
Betty Gammon
Rani Ganesan
Nancy Garcia
Rolour Garcia
Claudine Garcia
Leticia Garcia
Susana Gonzalez
Cynthia Gonzalez
Ernest Grant
Rachelle Guanzon
Anne-Marie Guerrier
Jeannine Haberman
Julie Hager
Sunny Hampsey
Elaine Hardy
Joe & Nancy Harmon
Geneva Harris
Laresse Harris
Brandon Hauer
Melissa Herlihy
Jesse Herron
Hannah Holmes
Kevin Hunt
Mehrun Hussain
Linda Irle
Evangeline Jackson
Jasmine Jones
David Jones
Krista Jones
Crystal Jordan
Brittany Judge
Katie Kean
Jenita Keaton
Jackie Kelley
Kyonghui Kim
Yvette Kimble
Laurinta Kisielyte
Shannon Kissinger
Anne Kowalczyk
Karen Krutul
Megan Kupferschmid
Annie Lally
P. Joan Larsen
Tonkya Lemons
Faye Lewis
Thank you to our Donors Thank you to our Donors
Katherine lluen-Nunez
ruby lomeli
Jennifer Luer
Roy Maca
Jessica Madrigal
Sarah Makina
Arlynn Manasse
Sandra Manna
Armando Martinez
Esmeralda Martinez
Erica McNerney
Carmel Medard
Socorro Mendoza
Stephanie Mendoza
JulioMendoza
Jennifer Mensik Kennedy
Margaret Miller
Cynthia Mitchell
Lynn Mohr
Tiffany Moore
Pamela Moore
Heather Moretti
Colleen Morley
Betsy Murphy
Monica Najara
Peggy Norton-Rosko
Nicholas Nowak
Dr.Joy Nwankpa
Leanne O’Brien
Esmeralda Ochoa
April Odom
Emmanuel Olaifa
Amanda Oliver
Linda Olson
Araceli Orozco
Charles Orth
Ann O'Sullivan
Jill Otruk
Tammy Padula
Kathleen Posa-Kearney
Rachel Powers
Jessica Prothe
Christine Radtke
Kaylea Reeves
Krystian Reformado
Lovey Reynolds
Joni Rials
Katie Riley
Linda Roberts
Christina Rodriguez
Karly Sachs
Juan Sanchez
Rocio Sanchez
Jennifer Sandoval
Kayla Savage
Nancy Sawalich
Mona Shattell
Maureen Shekleton
Jakw Simmons
Olivia Stanger
Leah Stein-Fredbeck
Samantha Sumait
Susan Swart
CristaTheis
Karen Thomas
Chad Thompson
L Nicole Tucker
YvonneTumbali
Diane Vander Ploeg
Leta Vega
Elyssia Venson
Connie Vincent
Cheryl Vines-Crooks
Diane Walker
Angela Wallis
Sierra Weathers
Zeh Wellington
Joan Widmer
Patricia Wienski
Kyana Wilkinson
Shrese Williams
Drucilla Williams
David Winters
Susan Y Swart
Vicki K Young
Gary Zidek .
Thank you to our Business & Organizational Thank you to our Business & Organizational
DDonors onors
Advantage International
Advocate Health Care
ANA-Illinois
ASI/NE Healthcare Services, Inc.
Balance Health LLC
Illinois League for Nursing
Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders
InstaNurse Staffing Solutions Corp
James Bobby Currin & Sons Inc
Leon J Witkowski Jr DDS, Ltd
Lewis University
Loyola University Medical Center
National Association of Hispanic Nurses-Illinois Chapter
Northern Illinois University School of Nursing
Old National Bancorp
Philippine Nurses Association of Illinois
Rush University College of Nursing
Rush University Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center
Saint Xavier University
Serenity One Hospice and Palliative Care
Smits Funeral Homes, LTD.
Sovereign Care Services
Stepping Stone Financial
The Allen & Ellen Blessman Family Foundation
UIC College of Nursing
UIC College of Nursing
Walter W. Schultz Agency, Inc
Thank you to our Board
Amanda Oliver BSN, RN, CCRN PRESIDENT
Cheryl Anema PhD RN PRESIDENT
Jeannine Haberman DNP, MBA, RN, CNE ANA-ILLINOIS BOARD REP
Colleen Morley DNP, RN, CCM CMAC CMCN, ACM-RN FCM DIRECTOR
Contact
Illinois Nurses Foundation PO Box 636, Manteno, Illinois 60950
(779) 529-2012
www.illinoisnurses.foundation info@ilnursesfoundation.com
Brandon Hauer MSN, RN VICE PRESIDENT
Linda Olson PhD, RN, NEA-BC DIRECTOR
Katherine de los Trinos-Ocampo MAT, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC DIRECTOR
Karen Egenes EdD, RN TREASURER
Zeh Wellington DNP, MSN, RN, NE-BC ANA-ILLINOIS BOARD REP
Lisa Conley MSN, RN, CCM DIRECTOR
Maureen Shekleton PhD, RN, DPNAP, FAAN DIRECTOR
Susana Gonzalez MHA, MSN, RN CNML ANA-ILLINOIS BOARD REP
Dawn Vollers MSN, RN, NEABC, NPD-BC DIRECTOR
We thank you for your continued support of our programs.