Christian Health Receives American Nurses Foundation Grant to Support Nurses’ Mental Health

WYCKOFF, NJ (December 1, 2025) – Christian Health is pleased to announce that it has been selected by the American Nurses Foundation (ANF) as one of five health systems receiving a $10,000 mini-grant to support the expansion of its Nurse Well-Being: Building Peer and Leadership Support program.

The mini-grants, funded by the United Health Foundation (UHF), are designed to empower nursing teams in each community to implement ANF’s free, evidence-based online modules and tools. These resources aim to strengthen nurses’ well-being, reduce burnout, enhance peer relationships, and foster healthier workplace cultures. Grant recipients began their project work in July and will share outcomes and insights in December.

Through this funding, Christian Health has launched a Nurse Well-Being initiative to increase awareness and utilization of these resources. The program aims to build a shared language around mental health, encourage help-seeking behaviors, and support a more resilient nursing workforce.

“We are honored that the American Nurses Foundation has chosen to support us with this special grant,” said Alexis Totaro, MSN, RN, WHNP-c, CARN-AP, Vice President of Operations, Behavioral Health Services & Administrator/Chief Nurse Executive at Christian Health. “Our nurses carry the heart of this organization, and their well-being has a direct impact on the care our community receives. This funding, coupled with the program’s evidence-based training, will empower Christian Health to deliver impactful support to our nurses and reinforce our commitment to their health and their future.”

In announcing the awards, Graig R. Eastin, Executive Director of the American Nurses Foundation, emphasized the significance of supporting nurses working in demanding environments.

“We recognize the quiet strength and relentless dedication of nurses working in rural and long-term care settings – often with limited support and immense emotional strain. At the American Nurses Foundation, we are deeply grateful to our kind partners at United Health Foundation for their generous investment in the nursing profession. These mini-grants represent more than just program funding – it’s a lifeline. We are proud to continue to stand beside these nurses, providing meaningful support in innovative ways that remind them they are never alone.”

ANF launched its Nurse Well-Being: Building Peer and Leadership Support curriculum in October 2024, funded by a three-year, $3.1 million grant from UHF. Developed by nurses, for nurses, the program offers practical tools to improve recovery from stress and strengthen both peer and leadership support structures within health systems.

More information about the program is available at: https://www.nursingworld.org/foundation/programs/nurse-wellbeing/

###

About Christian Health
Since 1911, Christian Health’s mission has been to offer a listening ear, a helpful hand, and steady, supportive guidance throughout an individual’s wellness journey. As a nonprofit organization founded on the belief that everyone has the right to exceptional care, we continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of our community. Christian Health’s comprehensive continuum of mental health services, communities for adults and older adults, rehabilitation services, and educational programs foster physical health and nourish the spirit. Caring is not simply what we do; it is who we are.

About the American Nurses Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Foundation inspires change and innovation by harnessing The Power of Nurses™ through strategic, nurse-led philanthropy. With its 501(c)(3) status, the foundation mobilizes critical resources to fund innovative research and support initiatives that advance nursing practice, education, and leadership. By forging intentional partnerships and providing targeted grants, the foundation empowers nurses to drive change within healthcare systems and communities. This commitment ensures that nurse-led solutions remain at the forefront of efforts to enhance care delivery and patient outcomes. https://www.nursingworld.org/foundation/

Media Contact:
Kelly Tanis
(201) 848-5921
KTanis@ChristianHealthNJ.org