A collaborative research initiative led by investigators from Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences welcomes 15 new nurse scholars to the second cohort of the Nursing Program for Advancing Training in Health Services (N-PATHS).
Funded by a National Institutes of Health R25 grant, N-PATHS is a nine-month program that supports the development of nurse scientists, educators and leaders through mentorship, research training and professional development opportunities. Interest in the program continues to grow, with 64 applications received this year, a 33.3% increase over the previous year, underscoring strong demand for nurse scientist training.
"We are excited to welcome our second cohort of scholars and continue building a community of nurse researchers dedicated to advancing health care through innovation and discovery," said Ashlee Vance, PhD, Assistant Scientist at the Henry Ford Health Center for Healthcare Improvement, and Principal Investigator of N-PATHS.
Vance leads a team of investigators from Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University, including Joshua Winowiecki, DNP; Jordan Braciszewski, PhD.; Sara Santarossa, PhD; and Emma Schlegel, PhD.
The second cohort follows the successful completion of the program's inaugural year. Earlier this spring, the first cohort of nurse scholars graduated from N-PATHS after completing a curriculum focused on research methods, leadership development, mentorship and academic career advancement.
This year's cohort will begin with a four-day in-person training experience at One Ford Place in Detroit at the end of July. Scholars will have the chance to connect with peers and mentors, forge research collaborations, and formulate ideas: all aimed at improving health outcomes for the patients and communities who need it most.
Fifteen nurses and health care professionals from across the United States were selected to participate in the 2026 cohort. Participants include:
- Lindsey Scheller PhD, RN, BSN
Post Doctoral Fellow, National Clinician Scholars Program, University of California San Franscisco - Mary Wingert MSN, RN
PhD Candidate, University of Washington School of Nursing 
Grace Kyei BSN, RN
PhD Student, UMass Manning College of Nursing- Bashir Hassan MSN, MPS, FNP-C, PMHNP
PhD/MPH Student, Northwestern University - Shontaya Carrico MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC
PhD Candidate, University of California Davis - Jill C. Doyle MS, CNM
PhD Candidate, Boston College Connell School of Nursing - Nicholas Raposo PhD, MPH, RNC-OB
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Rhode Island College of Nursing - Callie Harris PhD, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor, Oakland University School of Nursing - Nicole M. Forlan DNP, WHNP-BC, IBCLC
Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Vanessa Tahe DNP, RN, CPNP-PC
Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico College of Nursing - Amy Campbell PhD, RN, CPNP-PC
Postdoctoral Fellow, P-CART Program, George Washington University School of Medicine - Osborn Owusu Ansah BSN, RN
PhD Candidate Duke University School of Nursing - Danielle Brochu DNP, RN, CNEcl, NE-BC
Patient Care, Nursing Supervisor Hartford HealthCare - Zeynep Zonp PhD, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor, Wayne State University College of Nursing - Esther Nana Kwanning RN, MSc
PhD Student, UMass Manning College of Nursing