Savana Medina, Northern Arizona University College of Nursing graduate student, is awarded a Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF) scholarship
Savanna Medina is a graduate student at Northern Arizona University College of Nursing NEF Scholarship recipient for 2025 – 2026 academic year.
Savanna Medina is honored to be the recipient of the 2025 NEF Madeline A. Naegle Scholarship for mental health nursing.
Savanna’s clinical background includes working at Mayo Clinic in the Neurology unit and, currently, as a quality management nurse in behavioral health for the State of Arizona. In this role, she serves vulnerable populations by conducting site visits to behavioral health facilities throughout the Phoenix Valley and collaborating with providers to ensure patients receive the high-quality care they deserve.
She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Nurses Association. Her commitment to professional development and community service is reflected in her involvement in volunteer events and attendance at national conferences focused on advancing knowledge in nursing and mental health care.
Savanna’s journey into nursing was deeply personal. Her son’s diagnosis of autism gave her a new perspective on neurodiversity and ignited a passion for working with individuals with neurological disorders. This experience initially led her to specialize in neurology, where she could directly support individuals navigating complex cognitive and neurological conditions.
Since transitioning into behavioral health, Savanna has become increasingly aware of the critical need for providers who are willing to advocate for individuals living with neurological and psychiatric mental health conditions. Her decision to pursue the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) pathway is grounded in her commitment to closing the gap in access to mental health care especially for underserved and neurodiverse populations. Upon graduation, she plans to serve as both a clinician and advocate for those who have long awaited accurate diagnoses, guidance, and resources to improve their quality of life.
Receiving the NEF scholarship marks one of Savanna’s most meaningful educational accomplishments as a graduate student. She is deeply honored to receive this support, helping her focus more fully on her education and, eventually, on helping others who are seeking support in navigating a neuro-developmental diagnosis, just as she did for her own child.
The complete academic and professional biographies of all the 2025 NEF scholars are posted on the NEF website.
NEF Scholarship Opportunities
The next NEF online scholarship application process opens on October 1, 2025 and closes on February 2, 2026. To apply for an NEF Scholarship, go to the NEF Website.
About the Scholarships:
- Scholarships are based on academic performance and leadership capabilities, a personal essay, reference letters, and validated study already in progress in graduate programs throughout the United States.
- Scholarships are provided directly to students for their use in supporting their studies.
About the Criteria:
- GREs are not required as part of the application process.
- Student applicants must be licensed registered nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing degree (or the equivalent requirement if attending an entry level master’s, doctoral, or BSN to DNP or BSN to PhD program).
- A GPA of 3.6 or higher, an essay, three references: one related to the applicant’s current academic performance, one from a current or recent employer, and one from a professional colleague are required.
SUPPORT NURSES EDUCATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. is a nonprofit organization established in 1912 by nurses for nurses and depends solely on donations to fulfill its mission:
To promote leadership and health equity through scholarship support for professional nurses seeking master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, service and research
NEF welcomes any amount of financial support for its mission of promoting graduate nursing education and leadership.
Nurses Educational Funds, (NEF), accepts online tax-exempt donations
as well as donations via checks made out to: NEF and mailed to: NEF, 137 Montague Street, Ste. 144, Brooklyn, NY 11201
To find out more about Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.
please visit the NEF website.