The Center for Nursing at the Foundation of New York State Nurses’ Cathryne A. Welch Center for Nursing Research (CNR) offers the Nursing Research Fellowship program through sponsorship from the American Nurses Association – New York (ANA-NY).  The goals of the program are to increase understanding of the professional association and to prepare Fellows for involvement in research activities.

The program, which is two years long, consists of regular educational research, and general association experiences.  These include activities that allow for observation and/or participation in association research meetings and business.  The Research Fellow must also be a member of ANA-NY.  They may attend meetings of the Center for Nursing Research and participate in their activities.  One Fellow is selected each year.  Under special circumstances, an additional Fellow may be funded.

A member of the Center for Nursing Research leadership team will serve as his or her research coach.  Travel expenses and overnight accommodations, as needed, will be provided by the Fellow’s sponsor.

Nursing Research Fellowship Application

Current Research Fellow

2019 – Leorelkys Villar

Leorelkys Villar is an assistant nurse manager in the 15 South Telemetry unit at Stony Brook University Hospital.  She obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Long Island University and is currently working on her Family Nurse Practitioner master’s degree at Stony Brook University.  Ms. Villar provides leadership in her unit and provides compassionate patient care.  She is an active member of ANA and ANA-NY, as well as a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Ms. Villar holds multiple accomplishments, some of which are, being selected as 15 South’s Nurse of the Year in 2019, receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence in 2016, and obtaining both Medical-Surgical and Gerontological certifications through the ANCC.  In her time off, you can find her on a trip to her native land, the Dominican Republic, reading, painting, participating in a nursing conference, or spending time with her friends and family.

Past Research Fellows

2018 – Sydney Meadows

2017 – Cyd Villalba

2016 – Kathleen Pecoraro

2015 – Stephen Stewart

2014 – Jessica M. Jackson

2012 – Linda D. Young

2012 – Melinda Barry

2010 – Denise Famolaro

2009 – Christopher Kowal

2008 – Toni Heer

2007 – Chris Malmgreen

2007 – Connie Randolph

2006 – Terri Torsney

2005 – Patrice Keegan

2004 – Barbara Brown

2003 – Anne Cardinale

2003 – Mintie Majar

2001 – Mary Beth Holz

2000 – Susan Chu Lai

1999 – Kathleen Shedlock

1997 – Ann Bove

1996 – Janet Smolowitz

1996 – Maureen Murray