President's Message

I am both honored and humbled to write this newsletter as the 22nd President of the Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS). I share highlights from the 38th Annual Scientific Sessions, offer deep gratitude to all who contributed to the success of this conference, and reflect on service contributions as an investment in nursing science and scholarship.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

The 38th Annual Scientific Sessions of ENRS, March 25-27, 2026, in Everett, Massachusetts, was a vibrant display of Strength in Nursing Science and remarkable success with 790 attendees, marking this event as the highest attended ENRS conference. Our program included 359 posters, 138 oral presentations, six workshops and five symposia. Additionally, more than three hundred students were present, bringing energy, excitement, and hope for the future of nursing science and scholarship.

Our conference began with a well-attended welcome reception including food and music, offering an opportunity to connect with colleagues and friends.  Brittany Taylor, PhD, RN, and Fay Wright, PhD, RN, APRN-BC, led the Student Discovery Network Reception, and during my visit, there was standing room only.

Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN,  Dean, University of Rochester School of Nursing, delivered the keynote, “The Strength and Resilience of Nursing Science: Shaping Health Through Emerging Evidence, Innovative Strategies, and Policy Impact." Dean Kitko described novel approaches to promote and prioritize resilience with exemplary research models and policies to expand, strengthen, and diversify the academic, clinical, and leadership preparation of nurses for optimized national health.

Bridgette M. Rice, PhD, MDiv, APRN, FAAN,  Associate Dean of Research and Innovation, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University moderated the plenary, “Nursing –Engineering Partnerships: Building Strength in Nursing Science Across Systems and Settings.”
Leaders of two established and exemplary nursing-engineering centers at the Universities of Massachusetts (UMASS) and Connecticut (UCONN) demonstrated the strength of interprofessional collaboration.  Karen K. Giuliano, PhD, RN, FAAN, MBA (UMASS), Frank Sup, PhD, MS (UMASS), Tiffany Kelley PhD MBA RN, FAAN (UCONN), and Leila Daneshmandi, PhD (UCONN) exchanged in scholarly dialogue and identified strategies for building, sustaining, and scaling nursing-engineering partnerships, including leadership engagement, institutional support, and funding pathways. These esteemed scientists also described how their partnerships inform practice, and policy in diverse healthcare systems and populations, providing a roadmap of how and why to invest in nursing-engineering partnerships.

Pamela B. de Cordova, PhD, RN-BC, led the one-hour publishing panel, featuring three distinguished nursing research editors who shared resources on managing the complexities of academic publishing for successful dissemination of scholarly products.
Journal editors represented were:
Victoria Dickson, PhD, RN, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN - Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
Christine Kovner, PhD, RN, FAAN - Policy, Politics and Nursing Practice
Heather Carter-Templeton, PhD, RN NI-BC, FAAN - Computer, Informatics and Nursing

Susan DeSanto-Madeya, PhD, RN, FPCN, FAAN, moderated the funding panel, an interactive session on extramural research updates with representatives (shown below) from the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). This panel provided attendees with a forum for communication and information sharing within the respective funding organizations.
Mary Elizabeth (Libbey) Bowen, PhD - NINR
Karen Marie McNamara, PhD - NINR
Maureen K. Akubu-Odero, DrPH, MPH, MBA, MSc - NINR
Madelyne Z. Greene, PhD, RN – PCORI

A highlight of the conference was the opportunity to celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of twenty-nine illustrious awardees. On behalf of ENRS, I extend my best wishes to Elizabeth A. Capezuti, PhD, RN, FAAN - Distinguished Contributions to Nursing Research Award; Shelli Feder, PhD, FNP-C, ACHPN, FPCN, FAHA, FAAN - Suzanne Feetham Nurse Scientist Family Research Award; Erica Liebermann, PhD, MSN, ANP, WHNP, FAAN - Rising Star Research Award; Brigitte Cypress, EdD, RN, CCRN - Research Authorship Award; Myeong-ga Cho, MSN, RN - ENRS/Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science Dissertation Research Award; Michelle Cole, DNP, MSN, RN, CPN - Evidence-Based Practice Award; Intima Alrimawi, PhD, MSN, MPH, BSN (RN), FAAN - Excellence in Social Justice & Health Equity Award; Jill Demirci, PhD, RN, IBCLC, FAAN - Mid-Career Researcher Award.

Congratulations to Marie Ann Marino, EdD, RN, FAAN, the 21st President of ENRS (2024-2026) for receipt of the President’s Award honoring her steadfast service and commitment to ENRS. I look forward to continuing my partnership with Dean Marino in her role as Chair of the ENRS Nominating Committee.

SERVICE AS AN INVESTMENT IN NURSING SCIENCE AND SCHOLARSHIP

The success of 38^th Annual Scientific Sessions of ENRS was the result of deliberate and intentional planning through time, service, and the generous contributions of our sponsors and members of our executive board, research interest groups, and committees. I especially thank members of the Conference Planning Committee for their dedicated support over the past year: Marie Borgella, Sherry Burrell, Pamela de Cordova, Corrine Jurgens, Susan DeSanto-Madeya, Maurade Gormley, Cherlie Magny Normilus, Jennifer Ross, Jennie Ryan, Gabrielle Santulli, Kristen Sethares, and the headquarters team of Association Conference Group (ACG), namely - Francesa Cosmi, Cindy Dady, Karen Hill, Elizabeth Pasquale, and Bishara Rahman. 

The collective service activities of board and committee members were extensive; some examples include abstract slotting (497 abstracts), moderating sessions, marketing on social media, judging 359 posters and 138 podium sessions for ENRS awards. Our inaugural Organizational Spirit Day and introduction of essential #ENRS2026 gear to wear during the conference was still another notable outcome of their efforts.

In my experience, service on committees and boards affords us the opportunity to gain progressive leadership skills and learn the importance of collaboration and growth in a professional community with shared goals. These experiences lend to skills that apply beyond the annual ENRS conference and translate to broader roles in research, practice, and education.

We are fortunate to have an all-star Executive Board to lead us in service, namely Susan DeSanto-Madeya, PhD, APRN, FPCN, FAAN, Lisa Duffy, PhD, MPH, RN, CPNP, Mei Lin Chen-Lim, PhD, RN, CCRC, Serah Nthenge, PhD, RN, Louise Reagan, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC, FAANP, Eileen Condon, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC and Mitchell J. Wharton, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAAN. I am delighted for the opportunity togain experience and learn alongside these board members in my service as President of ENRS. 

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

In preparing for this transition to role of president, Dean Marino asked me how I felt about taking on the role of ENRS President. Without thinking, I replied – “I grew up in ENRS. This is my home.” In reflecting back in time, I presented my first poster entitled the Evolving Concept of Health Literacy, at the 22nd Annual Scientific Sessions in Providence, Rhode Island. I was a PhD student at Columbia University School of Nursing, and this was 16 years ago! Once I got to ENRS - I did not - and - will not leave.

I encourage students joining us for the first time, either with a poster presentation or carrying sponsorship materials from your school to stay and get involved - make ENRS your home too. If you like, you could be writing this message one day as the President of ENRS.

Now looking forward, we are unable to predict what lies ahead of us. Yes, we face a dynamic context in our world, nation, and this certainly extends to the profession of nursing, research funding, care of our patients and health care. As we learned and heard from our presenters and speakers throughout the 2026 conference, we are resilient, we are innovators, and we have individual and collective strength to respond and grow through these many challenges with courage, dignity, and grace. Now matter what the future holds I will remain unwavering in my commitment to uphold the vision and mission of ENRS. I have an exceptional team to fulfil this commitment – members of the ENRS executive board, committee chairs, sponsors, past presidents, our management firm, the list goes on and on. We need each other to facilitate the continued success and development of ENRS, and shared growth as a scholarly community.

I close this newsletter with great anticipation for the upcoming year; the work of the executive board members and conference planning committee has already begun. I will communicate regular updates throughout the year. Please save the date for the 39th Scientific Sessions of the ENRS; we will see you in Philadelphia next year, March 31st – April 2nd, 2027.

Best wishes,

Ann-Margaret Navarra, PhD, CPNP-PC, FAAN
President, Eastern Nursing Research Society