A bilingual Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing Student has won the American Nurses Association New York Future Nurse Leader Award.
Emily Feng Zhang ’25, was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, to Chinese immigrant parents and relocated to Brooklyn when she was four. A first-generation college student, she was accepted into Hunter’s Nursing Scholars Program, which gave her a full-tuition scholarship and invaluable academic and professional guidance.
The award exemplifies Hunter’s commitment as an anchor institution to providing high-impact educational opportunities for young change-makers. Inspired by the varied life experiences students bring to the classroom, Hunter’s faculty and staff invest deeply in student success. For more than 150 years, Hunter has been one of the nation’s most diverse higher education institutions and one of its most effective engines of social mobility.
“We congratulate Emily for this well-deserved honor,” said Joan Hansen Grabe Dean of Nursing Dr. Ann Marie Mauro. “She has distinguished herself at Hunter, and we know that Emily will continue her development as an excellent leader as she transitions to her role as a professional nurse.”
During Feng Zhang’s time at Hunter, she has served in many positions, including president, of the Nursing Students’ Press, a student-led organization that amplifies nursing students’ voices and fosters community through creative expression.
Feng Zhang said cultural awareness played a big role in her choosing to study nursing, because she saw first-hand how language and empathy barriers can present gaps in healthcare settings.
“Growing up in a bilingual household and navigating multiple cultural identities, I became attuned to the nuances of care and the importance of understanding each person’s lived experience,” she said. “I wanted to be someone who could help bridge gaps and advocate for vulnerable populations. Nursing, to me, is not just a profession but a way to serve others with empathy, respect, and purpose.”
About the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing
The Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing mission is to cultivate collaborative nurse leaders promoting wellness and championing health equity in diverse local and global communities through excellence in education, research, scholarship, and advocacy. Its vision is to shape nurse leaders advancing health equity for a thriving, healthier world.
About American Nurses Association – New York
The American Nurses Association – New York considers itself the voice of empowered New York nurses driving positive change. Launched in 2012, it is dedicated to promoting excellence in nursing practice, improving the quality of health care services, and promoting professional and leadership development of RNs.
