New philanthropic partnership will support nursing students, faculty development, academic progression, and the communities served by associate degree nursing programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN), OADN Foundation, and DISA Healthcare today announced the launch of the DISA Healthcare Nursing Futures Initiative, a philanthropic partnership designed to invest in nursing students and educators, strengthen the nursing workforce, and expand opportunities for the individuals and communities served by associate degree nursing education.

Through the Nursing Futures Initiative, DISA Healthcare will support programs administered by the OADN Foundation that advance student success, academic progression, faculty development, and opportunities for nursing educators, including those serving rural and underserved communities.

“The true power of philanthropy lies in the opportunities it creates and the lives those opportunities ultimately change,” said Donna Meyer, MSN, RN, ANEF, FAADN, FAAN, President of the OADN Foundation. “DISA Healthcare’s generous investment will help nursing students and educators in need take the next step in their education and careers, with impact extending far beyond the scholarship recipients themselves. As they advance, they will educate future generations of nurses, strengthen patient care, and serve their communities. This lasting, collective impact is what makes this investment so meaningful.”

“The Nursing Futures Initiative reflects what is possible when organizations come together around a shared commitment to the future of nursing,” said Rick García, PhD, RN, CCM, FAAOHN, FAADN, FAAN, Chief Executive Officer of OADN and the OADN Foundation. “Associate degree nursing programs educate a significant portion of our nation’s registered nursing workforce and are deeply connected to the communities they serve. DISA Healthcare’s investment will help us support students and faculty, create new opportunities for professional growth, and strengthen the pathways that sustain the nursing workforce.”

The Initiative will provide a platform for recognizing and supporting nursing students and educators while highlighting the impact of associate degree nursing education on workforce development and community health. The partnership will also elevate recipient stories and demonstrate how philanthropic investment can create opportunities for nurses, faculty, and the communities they serve.

“DISA Healthcare is proud to partner with OADN and the OADN Foundation to bring the Nursing Futures Initiative to life,” said Dave Dickson, Executive Vice President, Product, and Executive Sponsor of the DISA Futures Initiative.  “Our shared vision extends beyond individual awards. We want to invest in nursing students and educators, amplify their success, and help strengthen the communities they serve. Supporting the future nursing workforce is an investment in the future of healthcare.”

“Colleges and universities do more than prepare future nurses—they open doors for students and strengthen the communities that depend on them,” said Tony Magro, Executive Vice President, Commercial, at DISA Global Solutions. “We want to support that work beyond the services we provide. Through this initiative, we’re investing in students and the educators who guide them, helping more aspiring nurses stay on track, complete their education, and enter the workforce ready to make a difference.”

The OADN Foundation will maintain responsibility for the administration of scholarships, grants, and awards associated with the Initiative, including eligibility, application review, and recipient selection. This structure preserves the Foundation’s independent role while allowing OADN and DISA Healthcare to collaborate on awareness, storytelling, recognition, and demonstrating the Initiative’s long-term impact.

A dedicated Nursing Futures Initiative webpage on OADN.org will serve as a public resource for information about the partnership, funding opportunities, award recipients, workforce insights, and program impact. Scholarship and award applications will continue to be administered through the OADN Foundation.

The Nursing Futures Initiative will be formally introduced to the OADN community during the 2026 OADN Convention in San Antonio, Texas, providing an opportunity to celebrate the partnership with nursing educators, program leaders, students, and partners from across the country.

“This partnership is about creating opportunities today while investing in what nursing needs tomorrow,” García added. “We are grateful to DISA Healthcare for sharing that vision and for making a meaningful commitment to the students and educators who are preparing and supporting our future nursing workforce.”

About the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing

The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) is the national voice and a leading advocate for associate degree nursing education. OADN advances excellence in nursing education and supports the faculty, administrators, students, and institutions that prepare registered nurses to meet the evolving healthcare needs of communities across the nation. Through advocacy, education, leadership, and community, OADN works to strengthen associate degree nursing education and the nursing workforce.

The OADN Foundation advances this mission through philanthropic investment in nursing students, faculty, innovation, academic progression, and initiatives that strengthen the future of associate degree nursing education.

About DISA Healthcare

DISA Healthcare, part of DISA Global Solutions, helps colleges and universities prepare students for clinical learning and the transition into the healthcare workforce. Through background screening, immunization tracking, and clinical compliance management, DISA Healthcare streamlines complex requirements, reduces administrative demands on educators, and helps students stay on track. Its work supports a shared goal: enabling institutions to focus on educating the next generation of healthcare professionals.

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