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Program Leadership

NPO staff photoThe Robert Wood Johnson Foundation established the National Program Office (NPO) to direct Evaluating Innovations in Nursing Education (EIN) in 2008. The NPO, which is located in the Center for State Health Policy at Rutgers University, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, provides overall research direction, management, technical assistance, and monitoring of the EIN grants. Dr. Michael Yedidia serves as director of the NPO and is assisted by Joanne Fuccello, Deputy Director.

What is an NPO?

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) awards most grants through calls for proposals (CFPs) issued for national programs. Typically, RWJF’s national programs are administered by staff affiliated with an outside institution selected for their substantive expertise relevant to the program. Established in 2008, the EIN NPO is located at the Center for State Health Policy at Rutgers University, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The NPO provides overall research direction, management, technical assistance, and monitoring of the EIN grants. We serve as the primary liaison for applicants and grantees with RWJF. In addition to directing the grantee selection process, we work with applicants to strengthen their evaluation designs and assist grantees with budget preparation and review; communications and media contact; coordination and involvement with other RWJF-sponsored programs; access to resource materials and experts in the field; information on legal, legislative and regulatory issues; dissemination of results; and, advice on addressing difficulties or obstacles that may arise.

Program Leadership

NPO Staff

Michael YedidiaMichael Yedidia, M.P.H., Ph.D.
Michael Yedidia, research professor, Center for State Health Policy, Rutgers University, directs the Evaluating in Nursing Education (EIN) National Program Office. His research focuses on access to care, patient perspectives on health and illness, quality improvement, training of physicians, nurses and other health care professionals, and determinants of childhood obesity.

Joanne FuccelloJoanne Fuccello, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Joanne Fuccello is the Deputy Director of the EIN program. For the past ten years, her primary area of study has focused on state and federal policies related to nursing, most specifically on the complex issues related to the nursing workforce shortage.

Manisha AgrawalManisha Agrawal, M.P.H.
Manisha Agrawal is a research analyst with the EIN program office. She has provided assistance at the Center on a number of projects including planning for an Economics of Nursing Conference and establishing a business case for Transforming Care at the Bedside, an initiative to improve the quality and safety of patient care on medical and surgical units.

Jolene ChouJolene Chou, M.P.H.
Jolene Chou recently joined the Center for State Health Policy as a research analyst for the EIN project and for a study of childhood obesity. Prior to joining the Center, Ms. Chou was the senior research associate at Charles B. Wang Community Health Center in New York City, where she provided technical advice and assistance to program and clinical staff on designing evaluation projects and analyzing data.

Foundation Staff

Responsible staff members at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are:

  • Nancy Wieler Fishman
  • Linda Wright Moore
  • Christine Phares