Dear Members of the Maryland Nurses Association,
Maryland Nurse! I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Jihane Frangieh, our Editor-in-Chief, whose leadership and vision have been instrumental in bringing this publication to life. The dedication and hard work of Dr. Frangieh and the entire editorial board are evident on every page you read, and I trust you will find the new format and insightful articles both informative and engaging.
I am immensely grateful to Greg Osborne and his team at HealthCom Media for their unwavering support and collaboration in making Maryland Nurse a reality. Their dedication to advancing our profession through innovative journal publishing is truly commendable, and I look forward to our continued partnership in keeping MNA members informed with our nursing journal.
Over the past quarter, I have had the privilege of meeting many of you during my visits to districts across our beautiful state of Maryland. May was an especially eventful month as we celebrated Nurses Month with various engaging activities. The highlight was undoubtedly our second annual gala, where 160 attendees joined us in a night of celebration and unity along with being dressed to perfection from feathers to sequins and rhinestones. It was a dazzling affair at the Center Club in downtown Baltimore, complete with exquisite dining and joyous dancing against the backdrop of the city’s skyline.
The celebrations continued with Daiichi Sankyo-sponsored brunches in Ocean City and Frederick, which provided further opportunities for networking and camaraderie among MNA members. Lastly, attending the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s graduation ceremony was a memorable experience. Witnessing the students’ enthusiasm and hearing their aspirations reaffirmed my belief in the bright future of our nursing profession. Their passion and dedication are inspiring, and I eagerly anticipate seeing them contribute to MNA in the near future on committees and boards.
As we move forward through the summer, I encourage each of you to cherish moments spent with family and friends, enjoying the warmth and relaxation that this season brings. I am already looking forward to reconnecting with all of you at the 121st Annual Convention, scheduled to take place in historic downtown Annapolis on September 26-27, 2024. It promises to be a gathering filled with learning, networking, and celebrating our shared commitment to nursing excellence.
In closing, I extend my warmest wishes to each of you for a rejuvenating summer. Thank you for your continued dedication to our profession and the Maryland Nurses Association.
Warm regards,
Lou J. Bartolo, DNP, MSN, RN
President, Maryland Nurses Association
