PHILADELPHIA (January 19, 2026) — When Susan Rux, PhD, DNP, RN, FACHE, reflects on her 20 years of involvement with the Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania (NAP), she returns repeatedly to one idea: a belief in the power of nurses and in the responsibility to recognize, support, and elevate them.
Rux currently serves as Associate Vice President of Professional Nursing Practice and Research at Fox Chase Cancer Center, and now, as she steps into her new role as President of NAP, that belief will guide her forward.
NAP, which was founded in 1989 in response to a persistent nursing shortage, serves as one of the state’s most respected champions of nursing excellence. The nonprofit organization strengthens Pennsylvania’s nursing workforce by recognizing outstanding nurses through its annual awards gala and by granting scholarships to students across all levels, from LPN programs to doctoral studies. To date, the group has awarded nearly $600,000 in scholarships and honored more than 700 nurses across the state.
For Rux, leading the organization is both an honor and a continuation of decades of service.
A Longstanding Commitment to the Mission of Nursing Excellence
Rux’s connection to NAP began in 2004, when she was named a finalist for Excellence in Nursing Education. She joined the board the following year and has served continuously since, including as chair of the awards committee. Over two decades, she has witnessed the organization expand its reach, evolve with the profession, and adapt to the changing needs of nurses across clinical and community settings.
“What has kept me involved with NAP all these years is the dedication to our mission,” Rux said. “This organization honors where we came from while still being visionary about what nursing needs for the future. Whether it’s recognizing practicing nurses, investing in students, or elevating emerging areas like informatics and community-based care, NAP has remained committed to strengthening our profession.”
As president, Rux’s focus will be on sustainability and growth, particularly through philanthropy, which is essential to maintaining both the awards gala and the scholarship program.
“We are a voluntary nonprofit, and the scholarships we award make a tremendous difference,” she said. “To continue providing them, we need to expand awareness and support. Every nurse leader in Pennsylvania has a responsibility to identify and uplift nurses doing incredible work. If we all commit to that, the entire commonwealth benefits.”
A Reflection of Fox Chase Nursing and Its Rising Visibility
Rux’s new position also highlights the momentum within Fox Chase’s Department of Clinical Nursing. The institution had only one Nightingale finalist prior to Rux joining Fox Chase in 2022. Since her arrival, Fox Chase nurses have earned five finalist distinctions and, in 2025, the center celebrated its first-ever Nightingale Award recipient when Diana Kott, DNP, RN,OCN, NPD-BC, won the Doctor of Nursing Practice category.
“Diana was up against nurses from very large organizations with significant resources, yet her work and talent stood out. Her recognition and the growing number of Fox Chase finalists reflects the strength of nursing here and the incredible support we receive from our leadership,” Rux said.
“Our senior leaders champion nursing at every level. From celebrating our achievements at operations meetings to investing in our participation in the Nightingale Awards, their support is truly invaluable. It elevates Fox Chase as a destination for talented nurses and strengthens our ability to innovate.”
Looking Ahead: Advancing the Profession and Building the Future
Rux will serve a three-year term as NAP’s president. Her goals during that time will be to expand Nightingale’s visibility, deepen partnerships across Pennsylvania, and inspire more nurse leaders to nominate and support their peers.
“I want every organization in the state to look around and recognize the extraordinary nurses in their midst,” she said. “If someone hasn’t been nominated before, let’s change that. Recognition matters for retention, for recruitment, and for the future of patient care.”
For Rux, the work ahead is both professional and personal. She said it offers a chance to give back to the field that shaped her career and to help build the next generation of nursing leaders.
“It’s an incredible honor,” she said. “And it’s a privilege to serve an organization that has done so much for so many. Together, I believe we can continue strengthening the nursing profession for years to come.”