The MGH NAA is engaged in several important efforts to promote its mission of supporting nursing education and professional development, research and community engagement:

MGH IHP Sleeper Center

Funding for Programs that focus on nurse-driven activities that promote community health, patient education, and community-based learning.  For the past 3 years the NAA has provided funding for the MGH IHP Ruth Sleeper Center for Clinical Education and Wellness, a nurse-led screening, referral, education and support center in Charlestown MA.  It offers free services to area residents, provided by nurse practitioners, both in-person and via telehealth.

The mobile health van run by the Sleeper Center.

NAA Nursing Research Grants

The NAA has supported nursing research grants annually for nurses employed at MGH since 2020. The NAA Grant is a 2-year grant that offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice program or an advanced practice nurse graduate of a Master of Science in Nursing program nurse at MGH the opportunity to lead a clinically-relevant EBP, Quality Improvement, or Original Research project. The grant provides up to $3000 for project related expenses. In 2023 the MGH Munn Center for Nursing Research matched the award due to its popularity among nurses and 2 recipients were funded.

• 2021 grant recipient: Marie Borgella, DNP for her proposal titled: Improving the Age-friendliness of a General Medical Inpatient Unit and Impact on Patient Readiness for Discharge; a Quality Improvement Project 

• 2022 grant recipient: Allie Walpert, MSN, FNP-BC for her proposal titled: A Pilot Study of Research Participant Perspectives on Nurse Management and Communication of Incidental Findings Identified on Research Scans 

• 2023 grant recipients: Loren Winters, ANP-BC, OCN, DiploACLM, CHWC is a nurse practitioner in the MGH Cancer Center Bridging the Gap: Integrating a Healthy Lifestyle Program to Palliative care for Patients with Advanced Stage Breast Cancer and Elizabeth Woods, MSN, AGACNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner in the Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit. “Improving Patient Outcomes with Neuro-Specific Considerations For Performing Spontaneous Breathing Trials (SBTs) in the Acutely Brain Injured Patients”

• The 2024 grant recipients:  Carolyn McDonald, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Lunder 8 Neuroscience) & Colleen McGovern, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Lunder 7 Neuroscience).  The title of their project: In patients with suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus, how do patient complications (type and frequency) related to lumbar drain trials versus a large volume spinal tap compare and impact length of stay during inpatient admission?

Nursing Lecture Series