President’s Message
“If you want to make enemies, try to change something.” — Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, 1913–1921.
Change can unsettle us, but it also invites us to step forward with purpose. In 2026, change is reshaping nursing, MNA, and ANA; and, it is creating new opportunities for Maryland nurses to lead, influence, and build the future of our profession.
A Unified MNA in a New Era
This year, MNA confronted an important truth. Our local committees, long known as “districts”, are not separate corporations and cannot operate as independent entities. While this required us to dissolve an outdated structure, it also gave us something far more powerful: a unified MNA with a shared mission and a statewide commitment to advancing nursing.
That unity is already fueling member‑driven innovation. In May, the Board approved the Student Scholarship Stands Out Initiative, a program created by a member proposal to mentor nursing students producing publishable work. Another member proposal is in development to establish a committee focused on Environmental Health, reflecting nurses’ growing interest in the environments where our colleagues and patients live, work, and heal.
These initiatives exist because members stepped forward. Committees are where ideas become action and where members shape the direction of MNA.
ANA: National Change That Invites More Voices
At the 2026 ANA Membership Assembly (MA), nurses voted to develop medical cannabis education programs, a decision rooted in evidence and patient advocacy. Maryland nurses know this story well. MNA helped lead the effort to decriminalize medical cannabis in our state in 2013. Today, that leadership continues to improve lives.
In another historic vote, MA Delegates voted by an overwhelming 88.8% to welcome LPN/LVN colleagues into ANA membership. This reflects the evolution of nursing roles, responsibilities, and educational pathways across care settings that depend on diverse nursing perspectives. This change expands our community and strengthens our voice.
Your Voice Matters—Show Up and Shape MNA
I invite you to be part of this momentum at the MNA 2026 Annual Convention, October 8-9 at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum. Connect with colleagues, meet ANA President Dr. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, and see firsthand the work happening across Maryland.
Members will also vote on revised Bylaws, an essential step in defining how we direct resources and support our unified mission. Your participation and involvement matter.
We Are the Change
Life is a moving train. We either move with it or get left behind. ANA is moving. MNA is moving. And Maryland nurses are leading.
We believe in the Power of Nurses. We step forward because the challenges before us demand courage. Together, our voices are strong. Together, we improve the lives of our colleagues, our patients, and our communities. n
Nayna C. Philipsen, BSN, MSN, JD, PhD, RN, FACCE
President MNA
