Ilene graduated from Bronx Community College with a degree in nursing in 1974.  She worked for many years at the bedside including the ICU. In 1988 Ilene went to work for the New York State Nurses Association and that is where she says it all began. She learned about Nurses House through NYSNA - what its mission was, and is still today - helping nurses in need.

Ilene supported Nurses House in various ways until her retirement in 2014. That is when she decided she would become more involved.  She joined the Board of Directors and served as Director for many years until being elected President in 2021.  Her mission is to teach nurses throughout the USA what Nurses House is all about. So when the need arises, she “takes the show on the road.” She attends conferences and will speak about Nurses House at nursing events. In 2019 Nurses House bestowed upon her the Dolphin Award to honor her commitment to the nursing community and Nurses House.  In her spare time, she loves to travel which includes cruising and spending time on the beach in Cape May, New Jersey along with volunteering as an EMT. When she travels both nationally and internationally she always brings her Nurses House sweatshirt and wears it proudly.