[Pictured Above: From left, Julia Stocker-Schneider, Nadine Wodwaski, Bethany Campbell, Barbara Medvec, Maria Bobo, Helena Hardin, Tiffany Bukoffsky]
Greetings Friends. I hope this summer has afforded each of you a few moments of calm to enjoy our beautiful Michigan summer weather. Sure, there were some +95-degree days, and plenty of smoke from awful wildfires, but we are hearty people.
Earlier this summer I had the honor, privilege, and responsibility to go to Washington D.C. for two events. First, ANA Hill Day. Over 500 nurses from all over the country descended (ascended actually) upon Capitol Hill and had over 380 meetings with congress members and their staff. We discussed workplace violence, access to care, and reinforcing that nursing IS a profession. I heard feedback from multiple offices that nurses always come prepared, know their topics, and communicate clearly. I’m so proud of the work we did that day!
The following two days consisted of long days of discussions around how the national American Nurses Association does business. We launched the national strategic plan for 2026-2030 with three strategic priorities: Advocate, Elevate, and Engage. An amazing example of advocating was earlier this year when the Department of Education released a list of “professions” that would qualify for higher loan caps for graduate students. Nursing was conspicuously not on the list. When ANA called for a national advocacy campaign opposing this exclusion, over 250,000 nurses signed petitions, we got over 140 congress members to support us, and there were over 6 billion social media impressions. That is what happens when nurses activate, and mobilize behind a cause, and it’s impressive.
This year at ANA Membership Assembly there was a landmark change to the national bylaws. After years of discussion, debate, committee work, and collaboration, it was decided that LPNs/LVNs will be welcomed to join the American Nurses Association. This is a reflection of ANA’s commitment to workforce strength, inclusivity, and unified advocacy for our profession. At ANA-MI we’re eager to have conversations about how this will work in our state association.
Every year at Membership Assembly there are dialogue forums which are chosen ahead of time. This year we heard from experts on three different topics: Framework for Prevention, Reporting, and Accountability of Incivility & Bullying (presented by an incredible nursing team from Wayne State!), Nurses Leading Health Care Sustainability, and Integrating Cannabis Nursing Competencies. The conversations were rich and lively, and I’m excited to continue those conversations here in Michigan.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent each of you in DC, and it’s my hope to do you justice. You are hardworking, brilliant professionals and I’m proud to stand along side you as a Michigan Nurse.
