In less than two weeks, we have witnessed two unprecedented Hurricanes of epic proportions impact communities including our nurse colleagues, families, and friends. As we witness communities putting their lives together, we ask you again today to join ANA and keep these communities at the forefront of your thoughts and hearts.

As we witnessed just yesterday, Hurricane Milton made an impact, again in Florida, as well as impacts to the coastal areas in Georgia. As we can all only imagine individually, this second impact has left FL and its residents more vulnerable. Our nurse colleagues, while caring for the communities they love and serve, are honoring their duties to care for patients, under emergency disaster declaration, while also concerned and caring for their own loved ones and families. 

We ask that you consider any assistance you can provide to help our nurses and the communities they serve in Florida. The Florida Nurses Association, a Constituent and State Nurses Association has established a disaster relief fund, the Nurses in Need Fund, which provides grants to help nurses in immediate need and asks for your support. Your donation, in whatever you can give, can be provided as follows:

The Florida Nurses Association, Nurses in Need Fund:  https://www.floridanurse.org/donations/donate.asp?id=17874

We also ask again to keep the communities and nurses in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia close as they continue their recovery efforts from the previous storm, Hurricane Helene.

We also ask to please keep the family of a nurse, Boone McCrary in Tennessee who lost his life, trying to save others in your thoughts.  To our members impacted in each of these states, we are profoundly saddened by your losses and stand with you, in this tough time.

In addition to the support above for Florida Nurses, additional opportunities are:

NCFN Nurse Recovery Fund

NCNA and the North Carolina Foundation for Nursing (NCFN) have revived the NCFN - Nurse Recovery Fund, which will distribute funds directly to nurses in the western part of the state who are suffering loss or damages. People interested in donating can click here

TNF Disaster Relief Fund

Tennessee Nurses Foundation has a Disaster Relief Fund to assist registered nurses:  https://tna.wildapricot.org/TNF-Get-Involved

ASPCA

When disaster strikes-like hurricanes, wildfires, tornados, or other emergencies, animal shelters and family pets are among a vulnerable population. Click to Support

All Hands and Hearts

All Hands and Hearts has already deployed teams to North Carolina and throughout Florida to evaluate and respond to support communities affected by the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Click to Support.

American Red Cross

Help people affected by Hurricane Helene. Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from this disaster. Click here to donate.

Direct Relief

Direct Relief has helped more than 50 safety net healthcare providers who were in the path of Hurricane Helene and is taking donations to support the impacted areas with emergency medical supplies, hygiene kits, and transportation support. Click here 

World Central Kitchen

WCK is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. Click here to donate.

Your generosity is THE difference that can make a difference. When one of us is in need, it is a call for all of us to respond. Let's stand together to support our nurses and the communities impacted.

The Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board (DVFRB), which is based out of the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office has initiated the appointment process. ONA is seeking a member who has experience in the area of domestic violence and is interested in being considered for an appointment. The term of this appointment is from July 2024 to June 2026 and the board meets monthly. ONA will review the candidates and then submit at minimum three names to the AG's office for consideration. If you are interested in serving ONA in this way, please complete the consent to serve form located here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VJ9SLLH by March 25.

Happy New Year from OK ACNM!

The Oklahoma Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) will host a retreat for all Oklahoma Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) and student nurse midwives on March 1 - 2, 2024. This retreat will feature nationally renowned CNM leader, Dr. Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN.  Dr. Breedlove served as the past president of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and is the current owner, CEO and principal consultant of Grow Midwives LLC.  Grow Midwives® works on building relationships and educating physicians, hospitals, and midwives in the design and scaling of best practices in collaborative care experiences. 

The retreat will be held at the Stoney Creek Hotel located at 200 W Albany St, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. Reserve your hotel room today at (918) 416-8100. Use the code 0124BREATHE. The OK ACNM Affiliate will cover the lodging for Friday night. The deadline to reserve your hotel is February 1, 2024.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided on the first day. The second day will end at 2:00 PM and breakfast and lunch are provided. There is a $50.00 registration fee, however, scholarships are available upon request. Please register by February 16, 2024.

Register Here

In preparation for the retreat, we are asking each CNM/SNM to complete the attached survey by January 20, 2024. Responses will assist with understanding the landscape and current barriers to grow midwifery in all settings. The surveys will be anonymous and returned directly to Dr. Breedlove who will be facilitating the retreat.  

Survey Link

We look forward to seeing you at the retreat. For additional information, please contact: 
Regina Kizer, President of OK ACNM Affiliate at regina@breathebirthandwellness.com 
Priscilla McFolling, Tulsa Midwifery Project Consultant at priscillamcf1985@gmail.com

Thank you,
Regina Kizer OK ACNM Chair 

Please join us for our first OINA in-person meeting. Lunch will be provided.

When: Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 11:00am - 2:00pm

Where: OU Health Science Centers; Nicholson Tower - Nursing Professional Development Conference Room located on the 4th floor.

Please RSVP by email OINA2021@gmail.com or contact 405-227-6096

View Parking Map  View Meeting Flyer

Thank you to our Sponsors: OU Nursing Education Department & Kramer University

Thank you to the 400 attendees and 22 exhibitors that participated in Nurses Day at the Capitol!  We kicked the day off at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum with a nurse leader panel focused on Nurses, Engagement, and Advocacy. These nurses shared insight on why they are engaged in advocacy, why all nurses should be, how they encourage nurses to get involved, and why they advocate for the nurses. 

We are grateful to the nurse leaders who served on this panel, including Keith Reed, RN, MPH, CPH, Commissioner, Oklahoma State Dept of Health; Kerri Bayer, MSN, RN, Senior Vice President, CNE, INTEGRIS Health; Karyl James, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Regional CNO, Mercy Hospitals in Oklahoma; Amanda Spencer, MSN, APRN-CNP, Co-Chair Advance Practice Nurses Oklahoma – ONA Chapter; and Stephanie Keesee, MSN, APRN-CNP, Co-Chair Advance Practice Nurses Oklahoma – ONA Chapter. They were inspirational and clearly demonstrated why nurses should be at the table affecting change.

Following the panel, ONA’s Lobbyist, Vickie White Rankin, organized a group to role-play the process legislation takes to become law, including the advocacy by interested groups. She then shared her Rising to the Good presentation. Attendees were then given directions of what to do at the Capitol, and were well received by legislators. A great day and experience for all!

View the photo album

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