Jonas-Flynn ‘DNP Scholars’ Attend Prestigious AACN Policy Summit
Shown above L to R: Sarah Matney (Case Western Reserve University), Tracy Cavanaugh (Quinnipiac University), Skylar Stowell (University of Pennsylvania), Emily Boucher (University of Hartford), Brittany Fasanelli (Fairfield University), Gianna Bender (Boston College)
Our six current Jonas-Flynn ‘DNP Scholars’ attended the prestigious 2026 AACN Student Policy Summit (“SPS”) on March 30-31.
The SPS is a two-day conference held in Washington, DC open to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students enrolled at an AACN member institution. Attendees at the Summit are immersed in didactic program sessions focused on the Federal policy process and nursing’s role in professional advocacy. The forum brought together nurse leaders from across the country to engage in meaningful dialogue around health policy, leadership, and the future of nursing. “It was an energizing opportunity to collaborate and share perspectives with other nurse leaders from around the country” said attendee Tracy Cavanaugh.
The AACN Policy Summit nurses met and advocated with Congressional staff on Capitol Hill for continued support and advancement of nursing and nursing research. The discussions emphasized the critical importance of restoring Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development funding and sustaining investment in the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). These conversations highlighted the essential role nurses play in advancing evidenced-based care and strengthening the healthcare workforce to meet evolving patient and population health needs.
About the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for academic nursing. AACN works to establish quality standards for nursing education; assists schools in implementing those standards; influences the nursing profession to improve health care; and promotes public support for professional nursing education, research, and practice.
About the Jonas-Flynn Oncology Nurse DNP Scholars
The Jonas-Flynn Oncology Nurse DNP Scholars program, a joint initiative between Jonas Philanthropies and the Flynn Foundation, recognizes doctoral students seeking to improve health care for cancer patients. The program provides 1-2 year annual $15,000 scholarships to support the pursuit of Doctor of Nursing Practice (‘DNP”) degrees by future nurse leaders, including former Flynn Fellows and select others involved in the Flynn Foundation’s Oncology Nursing Fellowship program. Click here for more information on this unique scholarship program or contact Fred Flynn at fflynn0924@aol.com.
