From Recipient to Leader: New Chair Charts Course for ENA Foundation

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – January 09, 2026 – The ENA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Emergency Nurses Association, has appointed a new leader whose career embodies the very mission she now champions. Kimberly Russo, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, will chair the 2026 Board of Trustees, bringing a unique perspective forged by her own experience as a scholarship recipient a decade ago.

This leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment for the organization. As it prepares to celebrate its 35th anniversary, the Foundation is launching a new strategic vision aimed at amplifying its impact on a profession facing unprecedented challenges. Russo, an emergency department nurse manager at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, steps into the role with a clear mandate to guide the Foundation into its next chapter of supporting the nation's front-line emergency caregivers.

A Vision Forged by Experience

In 2016, Kimberly Russo was awarded a graduate scholarship from the ENA Foundation. The support was instrumental in her professional development, an experience she says directly inspired her to give back. Her journey from beneficiary to board chair offers a powerful testament to the cyclical nature of mentorship and philanthropy. Having first joined the board in 2022, her ascent to chairperson signals a deep-seated commitment to the Foundation’s core purpose.

"There's an opportunity to reintroduce who we are, what we do, and why our work matters," Russo stated, outlining her priorities for the coming year. Her vision is not just about managing funds, but about crafting a compelling narrative that resonates with nurses, hospital administrators, and the public. She emphasized a three-pronged approach for the Foundation's renewed focus.

First is elevating the visibility of its programs, ensuring that every emergency nurse is aware of the scholarships, grants, and emergency relief available. Second, Russo plans to amplify the human impact of the Foundation's work by "sharing the stories of nurses whose lives and careers have been transformed through Foundation support." Finally, she aims to focus on "strengthening the relationships that make our mission possible," acknowledging the network of donors, corporate partners, and volunteers who fuel the organization's efforts.

Bolstering a Profession in Crisis

The ENA Foundation's work has never been more critical. Emergency nursing, the bedrock of acute care, is currently grappling with a multifaceted crisis. Staffing shortages, exacerbated by the pandemic, have left emergency departments strained, with projections indicating a need for over 200,000 new registered nurses annually through 2031. This deficit leads to higher patient-to-nurse ratios, increased wait times, and a greater risk of adverse patient outcomes.

Beyond the numbers, the human toll is immense. Emergency nurses report some of the highest rates of burnout in the healthcare industry, with studies showing that up to 64% of those leaving their positions cite burnout as the primary reason. The high-stress environment, combined with long hours and the emotional weight of critical care, creates a retention challenge that threatens the stability of the emergency care system.

The Foundation’s initiatives directly address these systemic issues. By providing scholarships for nurses to pursue advanced degrees (like a Master of Science in Nursing or a doctorate) and specialized certifications, it helps create a more skilled, resilient, and motivated workforce. These educational opportunities not only enhance individual careers but also equip nurses with the leadership and research skills needed to drive improvements in patient care and workplace environments. Research grants funded by the organization empower nurses to study and implement solutions to pressing problems, from improving triage protocols to developing strategies to mitigate workplace violence.

35 Years of Impact and a New Strategy

Since its inception in 1991, the ENA Foundation has been a steadfast force in advancing the profession. It has directed more than $7 million to over 3,000 emergency healthcare professionals, a significant investment in the human infrastructure of emergency medicine. This funding has supported everything from initial certifications to doctoral research, creating a legacy of excellence and leadership within the field.

The new strategic vision, coinciding with the 35th anniversary, is designed to build on this legacy with renewed vigor. While the full plan is still unfolding, Russo's focus on visibility and storytelling suggests a shift towards more proactive and public-facing engagement. By transforming statistics into compelling narratives, the Foundation aims to better articulate the return on investment for its donors and inspire a new generation of supporters. This strategy is crucial for sustaining and growing its philanthropic base in a competitive non-profit landscape.

This renewed push includes actively promoting its current application cycles. The Foundation is currently accepting applications for scholarships to attend Emergency Nursing 2026 in Phoenix, a key professional development and networking event for the global emergency nursing community. This provides a tangible pathway for nurses to immediately benefit from the Foundation's support.

The Power of Strategic Partnerships

Supporting the new board is a slate of experienced leaders, including Chairperson-Elect CherylAnn MacDonald-Sweet and a diverse group of members-at-large from across the country. Critically, the board also includes corporate trustees from leading healthcare and service companies, including Amy Mills of Teleflex, Rebecca Paalman of Stryker, and Christie Susko of Aon Affinity Healthcare.

These corporate partnerships are more than just line items in a budget; they represent deep, strategic alliances. Stryker, for example, has a well-established, long-term partnership with both the ENA and its Foundation, sponsoring scholarships and participating actively in governance. This involvement aligns with its corporate responsibility goals of advancing healthcare and supporting education. Likewise, Teleflex integrates its support for healthcare providers into its core strategic objectives, viewing it as essential to improving patient outcomes.

This synergy between the non-profit foundation and its corporate partners is vital. It provides not only financial resources but also invaluable strategic guidance, industry expertise, and a broader network of support. By embedding these leaders within its governance structure, the ENA Foundation ensures its programs remain relevant, innovative, and aligned with the evolving needs of the healthcare ecosystem, ultimately ensuring that emergency nurses on the front lines have the resources they need to provide life-saving care.