Founding

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The Kansas Nurses Foundation (KNF) was formed in 1977 to offer scholarship opportunities for nursing students, assist in achieving their educational goals within the profession of nursing, and contribute to the future of healthcare in Kansas.

In 1977 a committee was convened  to develop the structure of the Kansas Nurses Foundation.  Dr. Carla Lee PhD, EdS, APRN-BC, FIBA, FAANP, FAAN), as Chairperson of the Committee, spearheaded the creation of the  KNF along with other Kansas  members, which included Gary Robbins, Assistant Director of Kansas State Nurses Association (KSNA), Ethne Barnes, Board member, and Naomi Nibbelink, ex officio KSNA President. Dean Zerr  and Roberta Thiry followed with additional contributions.  KNF is honored to have Dr. Carla Lee continue to serve on the KNF Board to this day.

In 1978 the committee created Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation, filed and was  approved by the Kansas Secretary of State.  KNF is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. 

Scholarships are offered through generous donations and endowments to the Kansas Nurses Foundation, Inc.

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History

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At the 1976 Convention of the Kansas State

Nurses Association held in Great Bend,

Kan., Patricia Devine, Immediate Past President;

Roberta Thiry, President; Joyce Olson,

President Elect; Naomi Nibbelink, Second

Vice-President; and Carla Lee Treasurer, met

in the coffee shop to discuss the events of

the first day and consider plans for the future.

The result was a motion made at the

morning business meeting to establish a nursing

foundation under the auspices of KSNA.

This was promptly approved. At the December 2-3, 1976 KSNA Board Meeting a motion was made and passed to “explore the possibility of establishing a

foundation for KSNA.” A Board retreat was

held on March 4-6, 1977 to further explore future

issues including plans for establishing the

foundation. Decisions were made that funds

generated by the foundation would be used

to support scholarships, nursing research, grants, and other philanthropic efforts.

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Scholarships

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General Scholarships

KNF Scholarship

 

Endowed Scholarships

Carla Lee- KSNA District 6, Inc.

Connie Scheffer Public Health

Dorothy Astle- KSNA District 7

Dr. Charles J. Beauchamp

Ellen K. Carson

Ernestine F. Shaw

Florence Nelson

Frank J. & Christine  R. Bouska Family

George DeVane, CRNA, Nurse Anesthesia

Glenn & Greta Snell

Hester I. Thurston

James E. Seitz, KANS (Kansas Association of Nursing Students)

Joyce Olson

Kansas Alliance of Advanced Nurse Practitioners( KAANP), Nurse Practitioner

KSNA District l

KSNA District 2

KSNA District 7,South Central Region

KSNA District 10, RN-BSN Completion

L. Joy Walker

Morgan-Sanders

Norma Parker-KSNA District l8

Patricia Devine

Patsy Quint Occupational Health

Rose Mary Vopat Dlabal

Roberta  D. Thiry

Sr.  Mary Leon Pirotte

William L. “Butch” Luzier

 

Research Grant

Dr. Elizabeth See

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