Randa Melms, EdD., MSN-Ed, RN, NE-BC For Randa, nursing has been a journey defined by service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to helping others succeed. From serving as an Army Nurse to leading emergency department operations and advancing nursing education through doctoral research, she has embraced every opportunity to grow while making a meaningful impact […]
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Meet 40 Under 40 Awardee: Jessica Schomer
Jessica Schomer, BSN, RN, SCRN For Jessica, nursing was never simply a career choice it was inspired by a life-changing experience that forever shaped her perspective on compassion and care. After witnessing the extraordinary support nurses provided to her brother and family following his traumatic brain injury, Jessica discovered the profound impact nurses can have […]
Meet 40 Under 40 Awardee: Sagar Patel
Sagar Patel, MSN, MS, FNP-BC, BSN, RN Nursing has provided Sagar Patel with the opportunity to combine scientific discovery, compassionate patient care, and leadership into a career dedicated to improving healthcare. Through a commitment to evidence-based practice, research, and quality improvement, Sagar has built a career that extends far beyond the bedside. As a 2026 […]
Celebrating Excellence: Dr. Colleen Morley Receives National Case Management Honor
Illinois Nurses Foundation is proud to celebrate Board Member Dr. Colleen Morley on being named the Case Management Society of America’s (CMSA) Case Manager of the Year. This prestigious national recognition honors outstanding leaders who have made significant contributions to the field of case management and have demonstrated excellence in improving patient care, advancing healthcare […]
Nominations Open for the 2026 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader Awards
The Illinois Nurses Foundation invites nominations for the 2026 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader Awards. This marks the 12th year of recognizing Illinois nurses under age 40 who demonstrate leadership, initiative, and meaningful impact in nursing practice, education, research, and administration. These awards honor nurses who extend their influence beyond daily responsibilities. Honorees improve patient […]
INF Seeks Volunteers for Two Committees
You shape the future of nursing in Illinois. We invite you to serve on one of two Illinois Nurses Foundation committees. Both roles offer leadership growth, resume strength, and statewide impact. EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Did you know Nursing Voice is your quarterly journal? It reaches nurses across Illinois. You influence its direction and help elevate […]
INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Mikayla Ranallo
INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Mikayla Ranallo Mikayla’s journey into nursing began with a clear mission to walk alongside people through some of the most vulnerable chapters of their lives. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marquette University, Mikayla launched her career in Denver as a Bone Marrow Transplant inpatient nurse. It […]
INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Brittany Keenon
INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Brittany Keenon For Brittany Keenon, nursing began as a tribute to her late aunt, whose journey into the profession lit a spark in her. That early inspiration, paired with a love for science and a desire to help others, led her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from […]
INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Nicole O’Connor
INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Nicole O’Connor Nicole O’Connor, DNP, APRN-FPA, CPNP-AC, RN, has dedicated nearly two decades to pediatric nursing, beginning her career at the bedside in the NICU, PICU, and PCICU. Her experiences in these high acuity environments have shaped her into a clinician known for her calm under pressure, collaborative spirit, and […]
INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Courtney Kiolbassa
INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Courtney Kiolbassa Courtney Kiolbassa’s passion for nursing was born from two life-altering moments in her youth: a severe car accident in 7th grade that left her mother hospitalized for months, and witnessing her grandfather become one of the first patients to receive a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) at Christ […]