2025 MFP Institute champions advocacy and equity

The Power of Nurses™ to affect change served as the driving force behind the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) at the American Nurses Association (ANA) 2025 Intensive Training Institute, August 14–16.

This dynamic gathering of MFP fellows and alumni, nurse leaders, and scholars met in Baltimore for an immersive experience focused on promoting mental health equity. The 2025 Institute’s theme was Innovating Psychiatric Nursing: Advancing Mental Health and Substance Use Care for Children and Families Through Leadership.

“The work of the MFP matters especially now when norms have been shattered, when long-standing policies, programs, and priorities are being dismantled, and when recipients of care are being harmed,” said ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, in her remarks. “Amid this disruption, ANA’s priorities in advancing equity and engagement in nursing and in supporting the well-being of all nurses haven’t changed.”

Participants took part in programming that focused on contemporary issues, including meeting the behavioral health needs of unaccompanied migrant youth and enhancing care for youth with substance use disorders.

Maryland State Senator Malcolm Augustine and Maryland State Delegate Terri Hill participated in an interactive Health Advocacy Forum, which highlighted the importance of mental health experts in the policy creation process.

In “Harnessing the Power of Nurses: Effective Strategies for Legislative Engagement,” Simit Pandya, ANA’s director of congressional and grassroots advocacy, gave a legislative update and provided advocacy training. Eugenia Millender, PhD, MS, BSN, associate professor at the Florida State University College of Nursing, joined him.

The Institute also held graduation celebrations for the MFP class of 2024–2025. Learn more at emfp.org.

ANA membership empowers Atrium Health nurses

A record number of RNs from one of the nation’s leading integrated healthcare systems took advantage of complimentary, 1-year memberships offered by their employer, Atrium Health, to the American Nurses Association (ANA), which included state-level membership in the North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA) and Georgia Nurses Association.

This partnership enables Atrium Health, part of the Advocate Health system, to ensure that its nurses have access to valuable career resources, mentoring opportunities, exclusive member discounts, and advocacy efforts. Atrium Health also anticipates that these memberships will have a positive impact on recruitment, retention, and employee engagement.

“Advocate Health’s partnership with the North Carolina Nurses Association reflects our deep commitment to advancing the nursing profession, supporting nurses at every stage of their careers, and building a connected nursing community,” said Patricia Mook, Advocate Health senior vice president of enterprise nursing operations, education and professional development, and NCNA member.

More than 3,500 nurses from Atrium Health hospitals in North Carolina and Georgia became members, representing a more than 50% increase compared to the previous year. This latest group of membership enrollments helped NCNA surpass 10,000 total nurse members.

“Reaching 10,000 members is about more than just numbers. It reflects the power of our collective voice, the momentum behind our mission, and the belief in what is possible when we lead together,” said NCNA President Trish Richardson, MSN, BSBA, RN, NE-BC, CMSRN. “We could not have crossed this threshold without the strong engagement from Atrium Health, where nurses continue to show up as passionate advocates and leaders, committed to advancing our profession through group membership.”

2025 marks the third consecutive year Atrium Health has offered membership to its nurses. To learn more and how your organization can participate, please contact kristen.ward@ana.org.