Who We Are
Headquartered in Harrisburg, NFP provides charitable support to the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA).
Our Mission: To Ensure Nurses for Tomorrow
The Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania (NFP) is a 501(c) 3, Type II, Supporting Organization,under the broad umbrella of community benefit organizations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Each year, through the generosity of friends and supporters like you, NFP awards scholarships to nursing students across Pennsylvania. Past recipients have gone on to do meaningful work, conduct valuable research, and provide high-quality patient care.
Our Vision
To be the premier charitable organization for nurses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Our Mission
To ensure nurses for tomorrow.
Accomplishments
Since 1995, NFP has distributed more than $432,000 in scholarships to 283 students for nursing education and nursing research grants. Established in 1983, NFP has been successful in facilitating and acknowledging the gifts and bequests with our vision of ensuring nurses for tomorrow.
Our Beliefs
Nurses are pillars in our communities, viewed as the most trusted profession in our nation. Having an adequate number of nurses improves the quality of life and patient care. We believe qualified nursing students should have the financial and career resources to complete their education successfully. We look to experienced nurses to generate new knowledge through research. Those entrusted with nursing care have the right to expect qualified, caring professional nurses who uphold a strong code of ethics and responsibility.
Our Goal
NFP’s goal is to advance the educational and professional standards of nursing and the nursing profession by distributing scholarships for study, instruction, research, and scholarly pursuits in nursing to become future nurses, leaders, and educators.
Our Board of Trustees
- M. Christine Alichnie, PhD, RN │ Board President │ Consultant, PNC, Inc. (Semi-Retired)
- Marilyn Harris, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN │ Board Vice President │ Independent Hospital & Health Care Professional (Retired)
- Anna Teresa (Terri) Bickert, DNP, RN, NEA │ Board Treasurer │ Adjunct Faculty, Doctoral Program, Geisinger Hospital (Semi-Retired)
- Oralia Dominic, PhD, MS, MA │ Board Secretary│ Founder and President of National Institute of Rural and Minority Health, Inc.
- Stephanie Ingalsbe, LPN │ Multi-Site Director, Bayada Home Care
- Chanel Hart, MSN, RN │ Director of Nursing, Public Health Management Corp (PHMC)
- Molly McCullough, BSN, RN │ St. Clair Hospital, LPN Clinical Instructor, Greater Johnstown Career & Training Center
- Thomas Murt, Ed.D │ Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Reserves (Retired), Teacher/Operations Assistant
- Jennifer K. Partyka, MSN, RN │ Quality Program Administrator; PSNA Board of Directors Representative
- Ruth Phillips, BSN, MS, OCN, BCMAS │ Vice President, Medical Affairs, Blue Spark Technologies, Inc.
- Ellen Schauerman, BSN, RNC-NIC │ Neonatal Nurse, UPMC-Hamot
Our Team
- Wayne E. Reich, Jr., MSN, MBA, RN │ CEO
- Paula M. Lasecki │ Director of Development
- Cheryl Bradford │ Development Coordinator
Our History
1980s
NFP was founded in 1983 as a private, 501(c) (3) foundation.
In 1984, NFP, with support from the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), built the Kathryn Grove Center for Nursing. Many historical nursing documents, research journals and pertinent clinical resources were housed within the building’s Dorothy Novella Library.
NFP hosted annual educational programs for the state’s psychiatric nurses, held its first fundraising art auction, and awarded its initial scholarships.
1990s
NFP was used as a template for other states within the American Nurses Association (ANA). NFP received a $25,000 grant from PennDOT for its Safe Kids Seatbelt campaign.
2000s
NFP sponsored a nursing research conference in collaboration with a regional hospital system.
NFP received approval from the IRS to become a supporting organization of PSNA. Under the direction of PSNA’s CEO, a decision was made to rejuvenate NFP by enhancing the organizational structure, revitalizing processes, and promoting donations to support PSNA/NFP’s vision and mission.
2010s
Focus was placed on the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ (PANOs) Standards for Excellence accreditation status.
Through a loving memorial, NFP created the Florence (Madden) Grady-Fasick Scholarship to provide scholarships.
A second scholarship from the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund of the Former Albert Einstein Medical Center Nursing School of Philadelphia.
NFP proudly acquired the Seal of Accreditation for Standards of Excellence from PANO.
NFP successfully hosted its first Black & Gold Gala in 2018.
2020s
In 2024, the NFP is celebrating its Ruby Anniversary. That’s 40 years of excellence in giving nursing students and registered nurses a start and helping them earn graduate degrees in areas such as advanced practice, education, research, and administration.
