Your Donations at Work
Since 1981, the Oncology Nursing Foundation has partnered with oncology nursing supporters, like you, to achieve the Foundation's mission to support cancer nursing excellence. Through generous donor support, the Oncology Nursing Foundation has provided more than $33 million in funding to support oncology nursing awards, grants, scholarships, and educational initiatives. These funds have played a critical role in improving patient care and advancing the oncology nursing profession.
The Oncology Nursing Foundation is a national, public, non-profit, tax-exempt, charitable organization headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA and dedicated to supporting oncology nurses from around the world.
In 2024, the Oncology Nursing Foundation approved over $620,000 in funding.
$250,000
for academic scholarships
$155,525
for conference scholarships
$199,985
for research grants
$33,400
for career development awards
“As an early-stage investigator, receiving a research grant through the Oncology Nursing Foundation will serve as a catalyst for the next stage of my career. The grant will enable me to achieve two primary objectives: first, to gain insights and knowledge into the impact of social determinants of health on the health-related outcomes of patients with cancer and their family caregivers, considering multi-level perspectives; and secondly, to identify potential areas for future interventions that take into account the role of social determinants of health.”
— Dr. Sumin Park, PhD, RN, Post-doctoral Fellow, University of Utah, College of Nursing | 2023 RE03 Research Grant recipient
Dr. Park’s research was made possible through a contribution to the Oncology Nursing Foundation from Merck, Inc.
“The Oncology Nursing Foundation and the Oncology Nursing Society have welcomed me into oncology nursing in a way I have never experienced before. The resources, support, and push to continue learning is unparalleled. I have been working on my Doctorate of Nursing Practice for almost a year and attempting to not take on any loans. The classes push me to learn more about supporting nursing practice and patient care and with each class I have more tools added to my toolbox. I have learned how to critically examine access pain points for oncology patients, best practices, and how to manage the health system finances in a smart way.”
— Miriam Dowling-Schmitt, MS, RN, CPPS, CPHQ, Senior Director of Nursing Operations, Quality, Patient Safety, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health | 2024 Doctoral Scholarship recipient
Miriam’s scholarship was made possible through the Oncology Nursing Foundation endowment.
“The Oncology Nursing Foundation Research Doctoral Academic Scholarship provides more than financial assistance for my education. Receiving this award has validated my efforts thus far in training to become a nurse scientist to better understand oncology nursing and our patients. Knowing that the scholarship committee chose to fund me motivates me to excel academically and execute a meaningful study for the oncology community for my dissertation.”
— Justin O’Leary, MSN, RN, PCCN-K, Senior Quality Management Nurse, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | 2024 Doctoral Scholarship recipient
Justin’s scholarship was made possible through the Oncology Nursing Foundation endowment.
“The Oncology Nursing Foundation Josh Gottheil Stem Cell Transplant Career Development Award has helped with the development of my transplant career by allowing me to attend the Tanden Meetings 2025 (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research - CIBMTR and American Society for Transplant and Cellular Therapy - ASTCT). I will be able to present some of our work from our transplant and cellular therapy program that is within a large metropolitan safety net hospital that provides care to some of the most underprivileged and uninsured/underinsured patients within our city. I also am excited to learn from other centers by attending lectures and networking with transplant programs from all over the United States. It's important that we learn and develop from each other. This is one of the most important forums to experience all these centers in one place. Thank you for empowering myself and other nurses to expand their careers with firsthand knowledge! Thank you to the Josh Gottheil Family for creating this important award to enable nurses in the transplant field to further their careers and obtain further education.”
— Tara Barker, BSN, MSN, RN, OCN®, Stem Cell Transplant Nurse Coordinator, MetroHealth Medical Center | 2024 Josh Gottheil SCT/BMT Career Development Award recipient
Tara’s award was made possible through the Josh Gottheil Memorial Fund.
“Receiving a Conference Scholarship through the Oncology Nursing Foundation provides me with an incredible opportunity to attend ONS Congress for the first time, expanding my knowledge as an oncology nurse and future Family Nurse Practitioner. This support strengthens my commitment to advancing oncology nursing and improving patient care, and I am deeply grateful to the donors who make it possible.”
— Stephen Daily, BSN, RN, OCN®, Registered Nurse, Mercy Medical Center-Baltimore | 2025 ONS Congress Scholarship
Stephen’s scholarship was made possible by the Oncology Nursing Foundation endowment.