King County Nurses Association

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing Dad's out there!

Hello, Summer! Wishing our KCNA members and supporters a summer full of sunshine, relaxation and hope you get to enjoy all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer!

Happy Juneteenth! Celebrating freedom, resilience, and the journey towards equality for all. Today, we acknowledge the past and pave the way for a brighter future.

Meet the 2026-2027 KCNA Scholarship Recipients! This year, we received over 200 applications and are excited to announce the selection of 18 exceptional recipients. Each student has been awarded a $4,500 scholarship to be applied toward their studies between Summer '26 and Spring '27.

Pictured above are our 2026 scholarship recipients.
(listed top row to bottom, left to right):

Core Plus Award (pre-licensure)
Amanuel Nurga, University of Washington (ABSN)
Christine Vu, Seattle University (BSN)
Daniela Galvez Mares, Highline College (ADN)
Dorothy Adu Gyamfi, Shoreline Community College (ADN)
Fabrianne Handoko, Lake WA Tech (ADN)
Fauzia Tomno, Seattle Pacific University (BSN)
Gershom Koinei, Central Seattle College (ADN)
Madhav Khanal, University of Washington (ABSN)
Mariama Darboe, University of Washington (ABSN)
Mira Tsunoda, Seattle University (BSN)
Nahom Gebremeskel, Seattle University (BSN)
Ruth Angeline Eloka-Hona, Shoreline Community College (ADN)
Wing Yin Cheung (Ellie), University of Washington (ABSN)

Advanced - Valerie Weiss Award:
Tuan Le, MBA-HA, RN, AMB-BC, Frontier Nursing University (MSN)
David Drew, RN, University of WA (DNP)
Kayla Clark, RN, University of WA (DNP)
Salma Al-sammary, RN Seattle University (DNP)
Van Tran, RN, University of WA (DNP)

You can read about the 2026 Scholarship Recipients in the Fall Advocate.

Congratulations to KCNA member and 2026 KCNA Scholarship recipient David Drew on being featured in the UW School of Nursing's Year in Review! We're proud to support future nursing leaders and celebrate David's accomplishments.

This year has been defined by our commitment to care that meets the moment — care that responds to evolving needs in our communities, advances innovation in education and research, and reflects the urgency and humanity of the work before us.

These key moments reflect more than individual accomplishments. Together, they show a community that continues to show up for people at their most vulnerable, to pursue questions that matter, and to build a healthcare system worthy of everyone it serves.

We are grateful you are part of this community, and we hope you will stay close to what we are building together.

Hilaire J. Thompson, PhD, RN, ARNP, FAAN
Professor and Robert G. and Jean A. Reid Executive Dean
University of Washington School of Nursing

Check out our Year in Review for the 2025-26 academic year: https://nursing.uw.edu/2025-26-year-of-impact/

March with WSNA at Seattle Pride The leading voice and advocate for nurses in Washington state.

We’re still reminiscing about the KCNA Gala on May 14 at Cedarbrook Lodge!
All registered attendees will receive access to the event photos from the evening. Be sure to check your email later this afternoon for details on how to view and download your photos.

Thank you for helping make it such a memorable night as we celebrated nursing and raised funds to support the future of the profession.

The photos are starting to roll in from the KCNA Annual Gala held Thursday, May 14th!

We had a wonderful evening at Cedarbrook Lodge celebrating the nursing profession and honoring the future of nursing alongside our scholarship recipients. Thank you to everyone who joined us for such a memorable night filled with community, inspiration and celebration.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Today we celebrate all who nurture, support, and show up with love; moms, stepmoms, grandmothers, chosen family, mentors and more.