Knowles Foundation Launches New Opportunities for Nurse-Led Research
October 20, 2026
This year marked an exciting milestone for Loyola Nursing with the launch of INSPIRE (Institute for Nursing Science, Practice, Innovation, Research and Education), a new initiative designed to advance nurse-led research and innovation across Loyola Medicine. Made possible through the generous support of the Knowles Foundation, INSPIRE provides nurses with funding, mentorship, and resources to explore new ideas, advance evidence-based practice, and improve patient outcomes.
Led by Tim Carrigan, PhD, RN and Paula De La Peña, PhD, RN, INSPIRE creates a pathway for nurses to develop and pursue scholarly projects by offering funding to qualified recipients through a formal selection process. INSPIRE fosters a culture of inquiry, learning, and professional growth and reflects Loyola's commitment to advancing care through clinical research and empowering nurses as leaders and innovators within the health system.
During its inaugural funding cycle, INSPIRE received six proposals from nursing teams across Loyola Medicine, with three projects selected for funding. These projects focus on enhancing clinical practice through innovative solutions, including a QR code-based educational tool for surgical teams, the use of electromagnetic guidance technology for feeding tube placement in critical care settings, and a nurse-driven ambulatory triage model. Thanks to the support of the Knowles Foundation, Loyola now has a dedicated platform for nurse-led research that can improve outcomes and advance innovation that benefits the entire Loyola community.
Nancy W. Knowles was a pioneering businesswoman and civic leader who had a long relationship with Loyola Medicine which included serving on the Board of Directors. Her transformational generosity, both through The Knowles Foundation and personally, spans across Loyola Medicine, most notably establishing the Nancy W. Knowles Orthopaedic Institute. We are grateful for the many years of partnership between Loyola Medicine and Mrs. Knowles, as well as the continuation of support through The Knowles Foundation after her passing.
