Every year, Frontier Nursing University (FNU)’s diversity initiative sends student PRIDE ambassadors to conferences that highlight diversity in the primary care workforce. At these conferences, including ACNM Meeting & Exhibition and AANP National Conference, FNU creates a strong presence through faculty members, student mentees and booth volunteers providing information to prospective students. FNU made strong showings at the NAHN and NBNA in August (read about it here).
Throughout September and October, more strides have been made through the AAPINA, AAMN and GLMA conferences as well as a project by FNU faculty member Dr. Diane John, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC in providing better care for diverse populations.
AAPINA Conference
Dr. Valentin-Welch and Karen Ojeda at 2018 AAPINA Conference
The 15th annual Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA) conference was held in Durham, N.C. from Sept. 22-23, 2018. FNU PRIDE Student Ambassador Karen Ojeda, along with Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Maria Valentin-Welch, attended the conference and represented the university with information on FNU’s distance education and specialty tracks.
The conference theme, “Local to Global: Future Directions for Research on Health Disparities,” embraced the overall goals that AAPINA has to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, including current statistics and national information on the health status of Asian American/Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).
Conference workshops focused on healthcare issues facing the AAPI population, information on evidence-based research related to health disparities across the globe and the value of advanced practice opportunities for API nurses.
Attendees were encouraged by the AAPINA President, Dr. Alona Angosta, to carry the mission of AAPINA by addressing the current trends and future directions of health disparity research among API’s within their workplace and communities. The conference gave AAPINA members the opportunity to network and collaborate with nurses and researchers in various healthcare fields.
Frontier Nursing University provided a visible platform at the conference to inform prospective students of FNU’s specialty programs and its diversity initiatives. AAPINA continues to serve as an organization with a mission to increase visibility and diverse collaborations for Asian American and Pacific Islander nurses within the healthcare profession.
AAMN Annual Meeting & Exhibit
FNU PRIDE students at 2018 AAMN Annual Meeting & Exhibit
The 43rd American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN) annual meeting and exhibit was held in Milwaukee, Wis. on Oct. 4-6, 2018. FNU PRIDE members and students Steve Carver and Jason Hone represented FNU as winners of the annual Student Ambassador essay contest hosted by FNU PRIDE. The essay contest is a writing initiative aimed at fostering student-leadership, academic retention, and professional development within nursing education.
The AAMN conference supports the professional growth of men in nursing. Sessions centered on increasing gender diversity in healthcare, and to bring awareness on discrimination towards men in the nursing field.
“Having experienced discrimination…it was heartening to know that I was not alone and that efforts are being made to improve these disparities,” said Hone.
Group discussions also focused on innovative solutions to combat the opioid crisis across the nation. “This event has enhanced my desire to specialize in addiction medicine and to become an active participant in decreasing this [opioid] epidemic and saving lives,” said Carver.
FNU PRIDE member and doctoral student, Homecia St. Clair, presented a poster entitled, “Don’t Push Me! I’m Close to the Edge! A Prospective Study of Depression in Men, Suicide Rates, and How It’s Affecting the Medical Community.”
Citing the fact that suicide is one of the biggest killers of men between ages 20-49, St. Clair’s presentation focused on some of the challenges men face with mental health when trying to seek help.
FNU received interest from prospective students for FNU’s new Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialty program, among other programs. The conference also provided a platform to inform students of FNU’s Diversity PRIDE student organization. CNFP students Jean Volm and Rachel Sixberry volunteered to represent FNU at the exhibit booth.
“Working at the FNU booth with other students was great,” said Hone. “Meeting them, hearing their stories, and engaging conference patrons with them was a highlight for me at this event.”
The networking opportunities at the AAMN annual conference continue to serve as a platform to increase FNU’s visibility and diversity initiatives with the organization. “This event has enhanced my desire to earn a DNP from Frontier Nursing University in order to make a difference in my community,” said Carver.
GLMA Nursing Summit
Holly Howell and Bethney Seifert at 2018 GLMA Nursing Summit
The goal of the 36th annual GLMA Nursing Summit that took place in Las Vegas, Nev. on Oct. 10-13, 2018 was to build an inclusive home that promotes capacity building for LGBTQ nurses, nurse allies and nurse supporters.
The summit provides a forum for mentorship, support, and networking to develop and refine skills necessary to promote health equity for LGBTQ individuals. Conference workshops focused on healthcare issues facing LGBTQ nurses and marginalized LGBTQ populations.
Discussions included research related to health equity, awareness of workplace policies for LGBTQ employees, sexual violence among LGBTQ identifying persons, trans-inclusive healthcare, and shared experiences of LGBTQ nursing students during their clinical and educational studies. Attendees were encouraged by Keynote Speaker, Dr. TaMara Griffin, Sacred Soul SEXucator and Holistic Healer, to practice self-care and to heal old traumas.
Two students volunteered to represent the university at GLMA with information on FNU’s distance education and specialty tracks, Holly Howell (CNEP) and Bethney Seifert (CDNP). GLMA continues with a mission to increase visibility for LGBTQ nurses within the healthcare profession.
Dr. Diane John’s research on heart disease in Broward County
Diane Y. John PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC
FNU Associate Professor Dr. Diane Y. John, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC is improving the health outcomes of residents of Broward County, Fla. through a new project to reduce the risk of heart disease. Dr. John and a group of nurse practitioners, supported by the Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation (NPFH)/Astellas Promoting Heart Health Across the Age Span Award Program, attend community health events and talk with attendees to help them make positive health changes.
Dr. John’s clinical practice as an FNP includes working with populations across the lifespan, as well as community work with diverse populations. 16% of the people Diane serves are
65 and older; 51% are female; 30% are Black or African American; 29% are Hispanic or Latino, and many are of other minority ethnicities. This population also has a small percentage of persons living without health insurance under the age of 65, with a disability and/or in poverty.
Diane Y. John NP, Vicky Stone-Gale, NP and Diana Arrieta, NP participate in Community Health Fair sponsored by Broward County Public Schools, TRUE Back School Committee, First Baptist Church
Tom Schlepko, NP, Christine Lewis, NP, Jodi Pearson, NP and community advocate Dioxy Herrera participate in The Worshipers House Community Health Event in Hollywood, Fla.
Her project, “Nurse Practitioners’ Influence on Heart Healthy Behaviors,” will integrate motivational interviewing into a community education initiative to help patients change behaviors associated with heart disease.
Thank you to each of our FNU PRIDE ambassadors, students, staff and faculty members for continuing to make FNU’s presence known and respected in these diversity-oriented settings.
