INDIANAPOLIS —The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) today announced the establishment of the Dion Family Fund, a new permanent fund endowed by 2019-2021 Sigma President-elect Kenneth Dion, PhD, MBA, MSN, RN, FAAN, to honor the memory of his late mother, Nancy L. Dion, RN. The new permanent fund, managed through the Sigma Foundation for Nursing, will provide scholarships for nurses pursuing an advanced degree (or country equivalent) in nursing informatics and/or gerontological nursing.

Dr. Dion has amassed an impressive, 40-year career in healthcare – a path he attributes to his mother’s influence. In his words, “The act of nursing embodies everything that is good and decent in this world. These values were instilled in me and have been reinforced throughout my life. When I am asked why I chose nursing as my profession, the answer is simple: I am a nurse because of my mother, ‘The Lady in the Cape.’”

Read Sigma’s benefactor and namesake profile on Dr. Dion and his mother, Mrs. Nancy Dion. 

About the Dion Family Fund and research grant, Sigma President Richard Ricciardi, PhD, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, said, “I have known Dr. Dion for many years, and I highly respect and admire him for establishing this fund to honor his beloved mother and her dedication to lifelong learning. This fund will help future aspiring nurses to pursue advanced degrees, and I can think of no more fitting tribute to Mrs. Dion. I extend my sincere thanks to my dear friend Dr. Dion for his unwavering commitment to Sigma and for his philanthropy.”  

Thanks to its donors and grant partners, the Foundation provides annual funding for more than US $360,000 in research grants, leadership education grants, membership subsidies, scholarships, and support for Sigma initiatives. Read more about Sigma research grants.