Explore the history and evolution of NYAM’s Nursing Section and learn how its leadership, scholarship, and community engagement continue to respond to changing health and workforce needs. Panelists will discuss current initiatives, future priorities, and the incoming leadership team.
Monday, November 16, 2026
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Venue
New York Academy of Medicine
1216 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street
New York, NY 10029
You can register for this event here.
Our program will begin at 5:30pm.
5:30 pm – 6 pm
In-person reception
6 pm – 6:20 pm: Ann Kurth, PhD, RN, FAAN
Opening remarks on the alignment of the Nursing Section with the mission of NYAM
6:20 pm – 6:30 pm: Connor Bellis, NYAM
Formal acknowledgments of the original members of the Nursing Special
Interest Group and Nursing Section leaders.
2008-2015: The nursing workgroup led by Connie Vance, Suellyn Ellerbe, Elaine Larson; and advisers Maria Vezina, Harriet Feldman, Bobbie Berkowitz, Darlene Curley, Kim Glassman, Barbara Glickstein, Eileen Sullivan Marx, and Diana Mason.
Leadership team 2015-2019: Connie Vance, Donna Nickitas, Veronica Feeg
Leadership Team 2019-2024: Allison Squires, Toby Bressler, Maria Vezina
Leadership Team 2024-2026: Olga Kagan, Ellen McCabe, Angela Appiah
Incoming Leaders in 2027-2028: Jennifer Maninno, Kenya Beard, Stephen Ferrara
6:30 – 7:30 pm:
Moderated Panel Discussion
Panelists
Elaine L Larson, RN, PhD,
Professor Emerita at Columbia University and NYAM Scholar in Residence
Elaine Larson, RN, PhD, is a former Dean of the Georgetown University School of Nursing. She is a Fellow of the National Academy of Medicine and served as Editor of the American Journal of Infection Control for 25 years; she has more than 450 publications on bioethics and infection prevention. She currently chairs the institutional review board for NYAM.
Dr. Donna M. Nickitas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN
Author and Advocate
Dr. Donna M. Nickitas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN, is a nationally recognized nurse scholar, health policy expert, and academic leader with more than 40 years of experience advancing nursing education, workforce development, and health equity. As Dean and Chief Academic Officer, she provides strategic leadership for academic innovation, faculty excellence, and global partnerships. A retired U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps Major, Dr. Nickitas is a prolific author, former Editor-in-Chief of Nursing Economics, and internationally respected advocate for healthcare transformation.
Toby Bressler, PhD, RN, OCN, FAAN
Vice President of Patient Care Services at Smilow Cancer Hospital, Yale New Haven Health System
Toby Bressler, PhD, RN, OCN, FAAN, serves as Vice President of Patient Care Services at Smilow Cancer Hospital, Yale New Haven Health System. She is a nationally recognized oncology nurse leader who integrates nursing science, faith, advocacy, and social justice to advance health equity and improve cancer care. A transformational leader, Dr. Bressler is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Nursing and the New York Academy of Medicine and currently serves as the Treasurer of the Oncology Nursing Society Board of Directors. She also holds faculty leadership roles at Yale School of Medicine and Yale School of Nursing, supporting academic and clinical partnerships and nursing excellence
Ellen M. McCabe, PhD, RN, PPCNP-BC, NCSN, FNASN, FAANP, FFNMRCSI
Assistant Professor at Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing
Ellen M. McCabe, PhD, RN, PPCNP-BC, NCSN, FNASN, FAANP, FFNMRCSI, is an Assistant Professor at Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing. She earned her BSN, MSN, and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from NYU. Her research focuses on equitable school health services, chronic illness management, public health, mental health, social determinants of health, and school health policy. Dr. McCabe teaches, practices clinically, and studies immigration, school connectedness, belonging, and language services for children and families.
Moderators
Nursing Section Chair
Olga Kagan, PhD, RN, FHIMSS, FAAAAI, FIEL
Founder and President of the Food Allergy Nursing Association
Olga Kagan, PhD, RN, FHIMSS, FAAAAI, FIEL, Founder and President of the Food Allergy Nursing Association (FANA), a current chair of the NYAM’s Nursing Section and president-elect of the Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs, and Leaders (SONSIEL). She teaches at two NY-based universities, mentors nurses, and advises start-ups. As a recognized thought leader, she has served on several committees and boards in various positions. She has received awards for her contributions to nursing leadership, mentorship, and research, including the 2025 HIMSS-ANI Leadership Award and the 2024 John Page Service Award. She is a co-editor of the 2026 edition of The Informatics Guide to Healthcare: From Insights to Action.
Nursing Section Vice-Chair
Angela A. Appiah, PhD, DNP, MPH, RN, COA, FAACM
Senior Director/Chief Nursing Officer at Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital
Angela A. Appiah, PhD, DNP, MPH, RN, COA, FAACM, Angela A. Appiah, PhD, DNP, MPH, RN, COA, FAACM, is a Senior Director/Chief Nursing Officer at Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital. She is a globally recognized executive leader and a Fulbright Specialist. She is the current Vice-Chair of the NYAM’s Nursing Section. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Pace University College of Health Professions–Health Science & Lienhard School of Nursing, and Founder & CEO of Global Population Health Consulting, LLC. She is the Founder of the Hudson Valley, NY Black Nurses Association, Inc. chapter of the National Black Nurses Association, Inc. (NBNA). She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Case Management and the New York Academy of Medicine.
Incoming Leadership Team:
Incoming: January 2027
Jennifer Emilie Mannino, PhD, RN, CNE
Professor and Director of the PhD in Nursing Program at Molloy University’s Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Jennifer Emilie Mannino, PhD, RN, CNE, is Professor and Director of the PhD in Nursing Program at Molloy University’s Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing and Health Sciences. A Certified Nurse Educator and faculty member since 2004, she has held multiple leadership roles and serves on Sigma Theta Tau’s Epsilon Kappa Chapter board. Her research focuses on healthcare transitions for emerging adults with chronic conditions and developing clinical competence in new graduate nurses.
Incoming: May 2027
Dr. Kenya V. Beard, EdD, AGACNP-BC, FADLN, ANEF, FAAN
Vice Chair of the American Academy of Nursing’s Institute for Nursing Leadership
Dr. Kenya V. Beard, EdD, AGACNP-BC, FADLN, ANEF, FAAN, is a nationally recognized nursing leader dedicated to advancing health equity, leadership development, and responsible innovation. With more than 40 years of experience across clinical practice, academia, and policy, she serves as Vice Chair of the American Academy of Nursing’s Institute for Nursing Leadership, Trustee of St. Francis College, and faculty at the Harvard Macy Institute. A Macy Faculty Scholar, she is widely published and a sought after national speaker.
Incoming: January 2028
Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP
Executive Director – Nurse Practitioner Association NY State
Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP, is a family nurse practitioner with 26 years in primary care and health policy. As Executive Director of the Nurse Practitioner Association NY State, he led the advocacy behind the 2022 NP Modernization Act, which expanded full practice authority statewide. He served as Columbia University School of Nursing's Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, founded the Associate Dean for Artificial Intelligence role, and is a past President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
This event is sponsored by:
Columbia University School of Nursing · CUNY School of Professional Studies · Rutgers-Camden
School of Nursing · Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing · Molloy University, Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing
and Health Sciences · Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing