ABA–BCEN Nursing Advancement Scholarship Announces Inaugural Recipients Advancing the Future of Burn Care
Tuesday, August 04, 2026
In This Article, You’ll Learn
Who received the inaugural ABA–BCEN Nursing Advancement Scholarship and how the program supports their continued education.
Why investing in nursing education and professional development is important to the future of burn and emergency care.
How the scholarship helps reduce financial barriers for healthcare professionals pursuing advanced training.
How the American Burn Association (ABA) and Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN®) are supporting the next generation of burn care leaders.
Supporting Education and the Future of Burn Care
The American Burn Association (ABA), in partnership with the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN®), has announced the inaugural recipients of the ABA–BCEN Nursing Advancement Scholarship.
The scholarship program provides financial support to healthcare professionals pursuing higher education in nursing and healthcare-related fields. Created to help reduce educational barriers, the program supports the continued development of professionals who care for patients with burn injuries and other critical conditions.
Funded through a $35,000 contribution from BCEN, the inaugural program awarded seven $5,000 scholarships to support tuition, required fees, and course materials.
The scholarship reflects a shared commitment by ABA and BCEN to strengthen the healthcare workforce through education, career advancement, and opportunities for professional growth.
What Is the ABA–BCEN Nursing Advancement Scholarship?
The ABA–BCEN Nursing Advancement Scholarship supports ABA members pursuing additional education to advance their careers in nursing and healthcare.
The scholarship was launched in May 2026 during National Nurses Week and was designed to support:
BCEN-certified nurses pursuing higher education.
Firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics pursuing a nursing degree.
Healthcare professionals building skills that support burn and emergency care.
By helping address financial barriers, the program allows recipients to continue their education while preparing for expanded roles in patient care.
Who Are the Inaugural Scholarship Recipients?
The inaugural ABA–BCEN Nursing Advancement Scholarship recipients are:
Caden Bizer, BSN, RN, CBRN
Burn ICU Registered Nurse, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA
Mark Davis, BSN, RN, CBRN
Nurse Educator, St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ
Karolina Howell, BSN, CCRN, CBRN
Burn Trauma ICU RN, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL
Rachel Kidd, BLS, BN, RN, CBRN
Registered Nurse, University of Calgary & Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Benjamin Kimelman, BSN, RN, CBRN, PHN
Clinical Nurse 3, UCSF Hyde Bothin Burn Center, San Francisco, CA
Grace Oehlertz, BSN, RN, CBRN, WCC
Clinic Charge Nurse, Memorial Hermann Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center, Houston, TX
Sarah Scoins, MSN, APRN, ACNPC-AG, CCRN, CBRN
Outreach and Injury Prevention Educator Parkland Health, Dallas, TX
Each recipient was selected through a competitive review process led by the ABA Nursing Committee. Applicants demonstrated a commitment to professional growth, continued education, and advancing care for patients with burn injuries and other critical conditions.
Why Investing in Nursing Education Matters for Burn Care
Burn care requires highly trained teams with specialized knowledge and skills. Supporting education and professional advancement helps ensure healthcare professionals are prepared to provide evidence-based care throughout a patient’s recovery.
Educational opportunities such as the ABA–BCEN Nursing Advancement Scholarship help:
Support career progression for nurses and emergency care professionals.
Strengthen the pipeline of skilled burn care providers.
Encourage continued learning and professional development.
Build a more prepared and resilient healthcare workforce.
Investments in education benefit not only individual professionals but also the patients, families, and communities they serve.
A Partnership Focused on Professional Advancement
The ABA and BCEN share a commitment to advancing healthcare through education, certification, and professional development.
Through this scholarship program, both organizations are supporting professionals who are continuing their education and preparing for future roles in burn and emergency care.
“Congratulations to this inaugural class of ABA–BCEN Nursing Advancement Scholarship recipients,” said Ed Dellert, RN, MBA, CAE, FACEHP, chief executive officer of the ABA. “Education opens doors, not only for individual career growth, but for stronger teams, better patient outcomes, and a more resilient burn care workforce. We are grateful to BCEN for partnering with us to invest in these future leaders and help ensure the burn community continues to thrive for years to come.”
"At BCEN, we believe investing in education is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen the future of nursing," said Janie Schumaker, MBA, BSN, RN, CEN, ICE-CCP, CENP, CPHQ, FABC, chief executive officer of the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. "These scholarship recipients have demonstrated a commitment to advancing their knowledge and their profession, and we are proud to partner with the American Burn Association to help remove financial barriers as they pursue their educational goals. Congratulations to each recipient on this well-deserved achievement."
Key Takeaways
The ABA–BCEN Nursing Advancement Scholarship awarded seven $5,000 scholarships to support healthcare professionals pursuing additional education.
The program helps reduce financial barriers for nurses, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics advancing their careers.
Scholarship recipients were selected through a competitive review process led by the ABA Nursing Committee.
Education and professional development are essential to strengthening the future burn and emergency care workforce.
ABA and BCEN are partnering to support the next generation of healthcare leaders.
Resources
ABA Membership
Learn more about opportunities to connect with the burn care community and access professional resources.
ABA Education Programs
Explore educational opportunities designed to support healthcare professionals involved in burn care.
Certified Burn Registered Nurse (CBRN) Certification
Learn about the first specialty certification dedicated exclusively to burn nursing. Developed by BCEN with guidance from ABA burn care experts, the CBRN validates advanced burn nursing knowledge and supports professional growth across the burn care continuum.
About the American Burn Association
The American Burn Association (ABA) is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by burn injuries through advocacy, education, research, and prevention. Founded in 1967, ABA supports burn care professionals and organizations and works to advance the quality of burn care worldwide.
About the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing
The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN®) is the independent, not-for-profit organization that develops and administers nationally accredited certification programs for nurses across the emergency spectrum. BCEN certification validates specialized knowledge and promotes excellence in patient care through lifelong learning and professional development.