The American Nurses Foundation was founded as the educational, scientific and charitable arm of the ANA. Over the years, ANF has played a vital role in providing support for some of the major scientific studies of the profession. Back in 1955 when ANF was founded, our nursing leaders had the foresight to recognize how important it would be to support nursing research. Since then more than 950 researchers have made extraordinary contributions to our science, providing a foundation for our future practice.
Here’s an inside look at the paths taken by three outstanding nurses who began their research careers with funding by ANF and how their studies have shaped and continue to influence nursing practice.
ANF Scholar Highlights
- Elaine L. Larson, PhD, RN, FAAN, CIC
"Wash your hands! The simplest protection!"
Nicknamed the “hand-washing queen” due to her research on this humble, but highly effective health habit, Dr. Larson is now associate dean for research at Columbia University School of Nursing.
- Linda Chlan, PhD, RN
Chlan was responsible for leading the more than 70 reviewers through the high caliber and rigorous scientific review, then guiding the NRRC through a two-day conference call, during which final reviews were held and the 2009 grants awarded to the most highly qualified applicants. She led with professionalism, focus, and commitment, ensuring the integrity of the overall process. - ANF President, Margarete L. Zalon
A special thank you to our ANF President, Margarete L. Zalon, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC. Dr. Zalon’s commitment to ANF is exemplified by her hard work and passion. Dr. Zalon first encountered ANF as an ANF Scholar through the ANF Nursing Research Grants (NRG) Program. She credits ANF with starting her research career with a grant funded by the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement in 1991. - Linda Finch, PhD, RN
When Linda Finch, PhD, RN, made her first attempt to garner an ANF grant, she was not successful. But because reviewers' took the time to offer their advice, she was able to resubmit a stronger research proposal, which led to her becoming a 2004 ANF scholar.
"My whole area of focus has been looking at the nurse-patient relationship and particularly the caring piece of it," says Finch, a Tennessee Nurses Association member.
- Barbara Medoff-Cooper, PhD, CRNP, RN, FAAN
In 1983, Barbara Medoff-Cooper, PhD, CRNP, RN, FAAN, used her ANF grant to study what was close to her heart—infant development. At the time, she was a pediatric nurse practitioner and a doctoral student at Temple University.
"I was seeing a number of preemies in the office," says Medoff Cooper, a Pennsylvania State Nurses Association member. "Their parents were having problems taking care of them, because the babies were so crabby, so difficult."
- Jean McSweeney, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Dr. McSweeney has contributed significantly to the field of women's cardiovascular disease. Although she has received prestigious funding for her research endeavors, ANF provided her first funding as a SNRS/ANF Scholar. According to Dr. McSweeney, the study conducted with funds from ANF provided the essential foundation for her work on women's prodromal and acute symptoms associated with myocardial infarction and served as the springboard for her future studies.
- Bashira Abdullah Charles, MSN, RN, NP
Understanding genetics and diabetes
- Submit Your Profile
Submit Your Profile - Nursing Research Grant Scholars 1955 to 2009 [pdf]