Rita Reis Wieczorek Scholarship for Maternal-Infant and Pediatric Nursing
For Maternal-Infant and Pediatric Nursing
Rita Reis Wieczorek, EdD, RN, PNP, FAAN, is an NEF Board Member Emerita and longtime board member. In 2020, she created this NEF scholarship, which is the first to focus on maternal-infant and pediatric nursing.
For over four decades, Dr. Wieczorek devoted her career to providing the best maternal-infant and pediatric care to her patients and to teaching the highest standards of care to master's and doctoral nursing students, motivating them to excel in caring for mothers, infants, and children.
Featured Rita Reis Wieczorek Scholarship Recipients
The graduate nursing students who have received this scholarship understand that maternal-infant and pediatric nursing is more than merely treating patients; it involves empowering them and supporting their families. These three most recent scholarship recipients are also seeking to address gaps in maternal healthcare, from mental health to health equity, and making systemic improvements.
Hannah Maebelle Apostol, MSN, RN
- Previously worked as a certified phlebotomy technician, perioperative certified nurse assistant, caregiver, and birth doula
- Currently works as a Registered Nurse II at Urban Health Plan, a federally qualified health center serving medically underserved populations, providing care in adult medicine, urgent care, and geriatric settings, and as a school nurse, supporting the health and well-being of children and adolescents with diverse medical needs
- Serves as a Columbia University student ambassador and peer mentor, contributing to projects addressing food insecurity and public health policy
Jennifer Kwapick, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
- Began her nursing career in labor & delivery, then psychiatric care, solidifying her decision to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner to contribute to the well-being of women, mothers, children, and families
- Is a member of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology
- Volunteers with Prince William County Schools, Girl Scouts, local Help the Homeless Outreach, and Northern Virginia Food Rescue, and donates blood regularly
Amy Ushry, MPH, BSN, RN
- Worked as a Registered Nurse Care Coordinator providing maternal health outreach and care coordination and as a Senior Nurse Program Manager contributing to national quality improvement efforts for the reduction of maternal mortality
- Acted as research assistant on numerous maternal health and health equity-related research projects within Johns Hopkins University, including research on the qualitative evaluation of implicit bias training for maternal health providers, prevention and assessment of intimate partner homicide, and support for depression and pain management among older African American women.
- Supported the Healthy for Two – Home Visiting research study examining the impact of health coaching for cardiometabolic disease risk reduction among pregnant and postpartum individuals in Maryland