NAHN Presents 2013 Nurse of the Year Award in Washington, D.C.
Little Rock, AR (PRWEB) October 29, 2013 -- The National Association of Hispanic Nurses® (NAHN) presented the 2013 Nurse of the Year Award on Wednesday, October 16, to Helen C. Ballestas, at a reception held at NAHN’s office in Washington, D.C.
The NAHN Nurse of the Year Award is given annually to a nurse who is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, and has developed a creative and innovative program, intervention, or strategy. Recipients are selected based on their contribution to the improvement of health care in the Hispanic community in any health care environment, sparking innovation, creativity, leadership and advocacy.
NAHN was pleased to present this special award during National Hispanic Heritage Month. At the award reception, Adriana Perez, PhD, ANP-BC, a Congressional Fellow of the Health & Aging Policy Fellows Program at the office of Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D - Arizona), read a message from Congressman Grijalva, the event’s honorary host. These remarks were followed by a word from Pfizer Helpful Answers, the sponsor of the event, presented by Cecilia Ruberto; and a briefing on NAHN’s Muevete USA™ Project, presented by Angie Millan, MSN, RNP, CNS, FAAN.
Also recognized at the reception were two NAHN members who become Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing: Maithe Enriquez, PhD, RN, ANP-BC (El Corazon de la Tierra, Missouri Chapter) and Nora Montalvo-Lieno, PhD, RN (Brownsville, TX Chapter), as well as other NAHN Fellows at the event.
Helen Ballestas, PhD, ANP-BC, RN is an Assistant Professor at Adelphi University – College of Nursing and Public Health. Understanding that the nursing profession requires vision and leadership, she attained her PhD from Capella University with a focus on leadership of higher education. Having been in the nursing profession since 1996, she has worked in many acute care settings. As a scholar, she has focused her research studies on culture, seeking to strengthen diversity in the nursing work force.
In October 2012, Ballestas played an integral role in developing the NAHN Long Island Chapter at Adelphi University. The chapter is very active in continuing education and community projects, integrating work of nursing students, faculty at near-by nursing schools and community nurse professionals. Under her leadership, the Adelphi University High School Nursing Summer Intensive program has just completed its third very successful year.
Dr. Ballestas looks forward to furthering the mission of cultural diversity and in her own words “cultural responsibility” for all nurses. Her goal is to eliminate the disparities in health care and to encourage all nurses to become the best they can be while being culturally competent.
Learn more about NAHN’s Awards at http://www.nahnnet.org/NAHNAwards.html.
About the National Association of Hispanic Nurses
NAHN National Association of Hispanic Nurses® is a non-profit professional association committed to the promotion of the professionalism and dedication of Hispanic nurses by providing equal access to educational, professional, and economic opportunities for Hispanic nurses. NAHN is also dedicated to the improvement of the quality of health and nursing care of Hispanic consumers. To learn more about NAHN, visit http://www.nahnnet.org and follow NAHN on Twitter @NAHNNursing.
Brianne Baird, National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), http://www.nahnnet.org/, (501) 588-1370, [email protected]
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