Rounds with Leadership: Looking Forward, Giving Back

"I do this because I want to help people... and I think I'm going to let my actions do the talking."

With these humble yet powerful words, Bill Conway, Jr., the Founder of the Bedford Falls Foundation, was inducted as an Honorary Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing at a ceremony held last month in Washington, DC.

Academic nursing will be forever grateful to Mr. Conway and his wife Joanne (deceased) for their generous investment in nursing education. Through their charitable work, more than four dozen nursing schools nationwide have received support that has enabled thousands of new nurses, faculty, and researchers to enter the workforce and thrive. Since 2013, the Conways have donated more than $325 million to nursing schools to expand enrollment in baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs. The Foundation's long-term goal is to graduate 5,000 new nurses each year for the next 50 years.

To recognize their extraordinary commitment to academic nursing, AACN hosted a luncheon on October 18 honoring Bill and Joanne Conway. The association invited representatives from all funded schools to attend this special event and celebrate the honorees and their vision for improving healthcare. The Foundation's work is making a real difference, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.

Support the Future of Academic Nursing

For those inspired to make their own contribution to supporting the future of the profession, we hope you will consider giving to AACN’s Foundation for Academic Nursing. Our philanthropic enterprise aligns with our mission to lead and champion excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, and practice. 

Since its founding in 2020, the Foundation has successfully secured and administered an array of grants and scholarship programs. To date, the Foundation has awarded $1.8 million in grants to AACN member schools and $300,000 to nurse faculty leading groundbreaking work in the areas of artificial intelligence, health policy, simulation, competency-based curriculum, and facilitating access and success, among others. The Foundation currently administers 8 scholarship programs—open only to students from member schools—and will distribute nearly 40 scholarships this year ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 each. Your support will help amplify this impact, fueling the success of both educators and learners.

Raising funds to expand support for faculty research and scholarship is a priority for the Foundation. Your contribution will augment the drive to advance educational innovation, nurture student success, and prepare the next generation of nurse leaders.

With Giving Tuesday returning on December 2 this year, we hope you will "let your actions do the talking" and invest in academic nursing. Learn more about the Foundation and opportunities to donate.

Happy Thanksgiving!