August 2012 The Hispanic Nurses TM Volume 6, No. 3 In this Issue 2012 Annual Conference...12 2012 Scholarship Winners...3 President Alejandro Appointed...2 Corporate Members News...15 Health Policy & Legislative Affairs... 9 Let s Get Social...15 Meet NAHN s New Board...2 Members in the News...4 NAHN Ambassadors...6 NAHN Angels...6 NAHN Chapter Tidbits...6 NAHN Job Board...12 NAHN Update...11 New Committee Chairs...4 Other News...16 Opportunities...18 Special Members...2 Valdez Receives Award...3 President s Message: Jose Alejandro, PhD(c), RN-BC, MBA, CCM, FACHE Time flies quickly as the 2012-2014 NAHN Board of Directors has begun to establish their committees as they tackle their portion of the five-year strategic plan. The officers have already met to make sure that NAHN is positioned for growth and sustainability for years to come. Please e-mail the respective committee chair if you are interested in serving on a particular committee. (For a list of committees, see http://www.nahnnet.org/ NAHNCommittees.html or page 3.) Improving the visibility of NAHN is one of Board s priorities as we attempt to have a NAHN representative at the policy table of local, state, and national organizations that influence policy and/or care of the Hispanic community. As such, I am honored for the appointment to the American Red Cross s National Nursing Committee. My hope is to appoint individuals from our organization so that NAHN is well represented throughout the country. Tony Ornelas (AZ) and his Public Policy Committee have begun to review position statements, NAHN endorsements and seeking representation where Hispanics are lacking. I continue to be humbled that our membership has entrusted me to continue the journey started by Angie Millan the past two years. I can t thank Angie enough for the mentorship and guidance she has provided, but also what she will contribute for the next two years. August means the start of a new school year and National Immunizations Awareness Month. It is extremely important to be immunized so that we can prevent disease. Immunizations are important for children, as well as adults. College students, today, are facing risks from diseases such as Influenza, Varicella, Meningococcal and Hepatitis A. Immunizations are a great way to prevent outbreaks which could further put family and friends at risk for contracting the disease. Patients who are immunosuppressed should consult with their primary physician for an immunization schedule. One of the projects that were not mentioned during the conference was the Oral History Project for which NAHN is currently seeking a sponsor. Jennifer Figueroa (NY) has accepted the role of Historian and will lead the project to interview NAHN s most influential members at the local, state, and national level. This project will provide a PRESIDENT S MESSAGE continues on page 19 1
NAHN at a Glance... the official publication of NAHN National Association of Hispanic Nurses OFFICERS President Jose Alejandro, PhD(c), MBA, RN-BC, CCM, FACHE Vice-President Margaret Avila, PhD(c), MSN, RN/NP, PHN Secretary Sonia Valdez, BSN, RN, PHN, CVRN Treasurer Paloma Garza, MPH, RN, FNP-C President Elect Dan Suarez, MA, RN Immediate Past President Angie Millan, MSN, RNP, CNS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Founder Emeritus (1920-2010) Ildaura Murillo-Rohde, PhD, RN, FAAN Awards & Scholarships Mario Alfredo Martinez Chavez, BSN, RN Bylaws Rose Marie Caballero, MSN, RN, CCM Membership Corina Ibarra Chick, BSN, RN Policy E. Tony Ornelas, BSN, RN Development Anabell Castro-Thompson, MSN, RN, ANP-C Public Relations Armando Riera, MSN, RN, ARNP-BC Nominating Norma Graciela Cuellar, DSN, RN, FAAN STAFF Executive Director & CEO Celia Trigo Besore, MBA, CAE 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004 202-387-2477 Fax 202-483-7183 info@thehispanicnurses.org http://www.thehispanicnurses.org http://www.nahnnet.org 2012 NAHN National Association of Hispanic Nurses - All rights reserved Meet NAHN s New Board NAHN announced the newly elected officers of the NAHN Board of Directors. The new Board was installed during the 2012 NAHN Annual Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico this past July. Executive Committee: President: Jose Alejandro, PhD(c), RN-BC, MBA, CCM, FACHE Vice President: Margaret Avila, PhD(c), MSN, MS, RN/NP, PHN Secretary: Sonia Valdez, BSN, RN, PHN, CVRN Treasurer: Paloma Garza, MPH, RN, FNP-C Past President: Angie Millan, MSN, RNP, CNS President-Elect: Dan Suarez, MA, RN Elected Board Members: Armando Riera, MSN, RN, ARNP-BC Mario Alfredo Martinez Chavez, BSN, RN Edward (Tony) Ornelas, BSN, RN Rose Caballero, MSN, RN, CCM Corina Ibarra Chick, BSN, RN Appointed Board Members: Anabell Castro-Thompson, MSN, RN, ANP-C Norma Cuellar, DSN, RN, FAAN NAHN President Alejandro Appointed to American Red Cross Committee NAHN President Jose Alejandro, PhD(c), RN-BC, MBA, CCM, FACHE was appointed to the American Red Cross National Nursing Committee. Alejandro is the first Latino nurse appointed to the committee in this new partnership. The National Nursing Committee supports and promotes the involvement of nurses throughout the American Red Cross. The purpose of the committee is to assist the organization in achieving its strategic goals through facilitation of effective nurse involvement. The committee has specific program and product development and liaison responsibilities pertaining to the recruitment, retention, training and recognition of Red Cross nurses. For more details, visit http://www.nahnnet.org/2012arcalejandroappointment.html. Some Special Members Cantu, Shirey, and Torres-Suarez Receive NAHN s Special Awards Congratulations to Adelita Cantu, PhD, RN (San Antonio Chapter) in being honored with the 2012 Henrietta Villaescusa Community Service Award, in recognition of Adelita s outstanding contributions and commitment to improving the health of the Hispanic community. Maria Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, FAAN (National Chapter) was another outstanding member who received the Adelita Cantu 2012 Ildaura Murillo-Rohde Award for Education Excellence. Maria s outstanding contributions in nursing education made her stand out from other applicants. Maria Shirey 2
Vivian Torres- Suarez The recipient of NAHN s 2012 Janie Menchaca Wilson Leadership Award was Vivian Torres-Suarez, MBA, BSN, RN (New York Chapter). An example of her leadership contributions in the areas of planning, practice, or implementation of a program that has positively impacted the Hispanic community is the NAHN Mentorship Academy, which Vivian developed for NAHN as part of her Robert Woods Johnson Foundation Fellowship project. The Awards were given during the 2012 Annual Conference Gala on Friday, July 20, 2012. Many thanks to the members of the 2012 Awards and Scholarship Committee for their dedicated work: Miriam Mimi Gonzalez, BS,RN - Chair Loraine Moreno, RN - Committee Member Jane de Leon, PhD, RN - Committee Member Congratulations to such outstanding members! Valdez Receives NAHN s Honorary Presidential Award On July 20, Sonia Valdez, BSN, RN, PHN, CVRN received a very well-deserved award from the hands of then- President Angie Millan, MSN, RNP, CNS in recognition of Sonia selfless dedication, commitment, and passion in contributing and supporting the President to accomplish the goals and mission of NAHN. Sonia was one of the most dedicated and active Board members during my presidency. She consistently volunteered for many projects and always got the job done, said Angie. I was thrilled when I heard Sonia s name called, said Celia Trigo Besore, Executive Director & CEO. My first contact with Sonia was when I had been on the job one week. One of our funders asked us to put together a health-fair in Los Angeles three weeks out. Angie asked me to contact Sonia and she did not hesitate to step-in and organize it. She got volunteers from the San Diego and Los Angeles Chapters as well. I knew than I could always ask for her help and she would say yes. 2012 Scholarship Recipients 2012 NAHN $2,500 Scholarship Recipients Congratulations to the recipients of the 2012 NAHN $2,500 scholarships, who were recognized during the NAHN Gala at the 2012 NAHN Annual Conference. These scholarships are funded in part by a contribution from Lilly USA, LLC, which had no control over its content. No personally identifiable information regarding applicants is provided to any grant supporters. Crystal Loucel, MPH, RN - San Francisco, California Jesus Vega - Glendale, California Priscilla Hernandez - Margate, Florida Wendy Reyes - New York, New York Rafael Robert, National Advocacy & Professional Relations-Diversity, Eli Lilly & Co., presented the winners with certificates during the Gala. Many thanks to ELi Lilly for their generous support. 2012 United Health Foundation National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarship Awards The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) wants to congratulate the recipients of the 2012 United Health Foundation National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarship Awards: Anna Janet Trejo, RN - Laveen, Arizona Beverly Sanchez - Alexandria, Virginia Juan Angel Davila, BSN, RN - Brownsville, Texas Lorenza Murphy, MSN, RN - Litenfield, Arizona Maria Teresa Perez, MA, BSN, RN - San Antonio, Texas Rosario Jaime-Lara, - New York, New York Sophia Marie Jiminez, RN- Imperial Valley, California Sylvia Salgado Estrada, MSN, WHCNP, CBCN - Hacienda Heights, California 3
Each received a scholarship certificate at the 2012 NAHN Annual Conference from United Health Foundation s representatives Andrea Eselunas and Ouraphone Siri-Outhay. NAHN wants to say Thank You to the UnitedHealth Foundation for their generosity in funding these scholarships. This is the third year in a row that NAHN has been so blessed. New Committee Chairs Appointed NAHN is pleased to introduce its new Committee Chairs. If you are interested in joining one of these committees, please contact the chair at the contact information provided below. Awards & Scholarship Committee - Mario Alfredo Martinez Chavez, BSN, RN marioucla@yahoo.com By-laws Committee - Rose Marie Caballero, MSN, RN, CCM rosecab@yahoo.com Conference Program Committee - Dan Suarez, MA, RN dsuarez@thehispanicnurses.org Development Committee - Anabell Castro-Thompson, MSN, RN, ANP-C castroanab@msn.com Membership Committee - Corina Ibarra Chick, BSN, RN nahnphx@yahoo.com Nominating Committee - Norma Cuellar, DSN, RN ncuellar@ua.edu Policy Committee - Edward Tony Ornelas, BSN, RN eornelas_2000@yahoo.com Public Relations Committee - Armando Riera, MSN, RN, ARNP-BC ariera@jhsmiami.org NAHN Members in the News Arlette Stevens Tony Ornelas Arlette Stevens, MSN, RN, NP-C and Tony Ornelas, BSN, RN (both in Valle del Sol, AZ) were selected to be among the 40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40 award recipients, presented by Wells Fargo, which recognizes and promotes excellence in leadership and community service in Arizona. They were chosen based on a comprehensive evaluation of their impact on community and excellence in leadership. Already having made numerous contributions to their communities, both are expected to continue doing so by virtue of their strong commitment to nursing, their hardworking nature, and their excellent leadership skills. Dan Suarez, MA, RN (New York, NY) was recently featured in a news article on Nurse. com. Suarez, NAHN s newly-elected president-elect, currently serves as Nurse.com s associate director of sales for the New York region. Suarez previously was president of Dan Suarez Maria Krol, Maria Elena Piña Fonti, and Miriam Zavala with the AHHE Awards. Missing from the photo is Yolanda Delgado. NAHN s New York chapter. Suarez also has a full-page article he wrote in the Nurse.com Diversity in Nursing issue titled The Perks of Diversity. To see the complete article, please visit http://news.nurse. com/article/20120806/ny02/308060032. Maria Krol, MSN, RN (Connecticut), Yolanda Delgado, MS, RN, (New Jersey), Maria Elena Piña Fonti, MA, RN, (New York), and Miriam Zavala, DNP, MSN, RN (New York), received awards at the Association of Hispanic Healthcare Executives (AHHE) 12 th Annual Leaders in Health Diversity: Leaders Advancing Health Equity Gala held at the Academy of Medicine in June 2012. Maria Krol picked up the AHHE Hospital Health Executive Award Yolanda Delgado received the Roundtable Member Appreciation Award Maria Elena Piña Fonti was given the Roundtable Membership Appreciation Award Mirian Zavala brought home the Roundtable Membership Appreciation Award. Congratulations to all! Maria Elena Piña Fonti, RN, MA (New York) won yet another award the Civico Cubano Presidents Award given in June during the Annual Club Civico Cubano Gala. Olga Jarrín, PhD, RN (Philadelphia) was selected as a 2012-2014 John A. Hartford Foundation Claire M. Fagin Fellow. This postdoctoral fellowship is from the Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity (BAGNC) program that Dr. Taylor Harden presented at the conference with Drs. Adriana Perez and Jimmy Reyes. Olga Jarrín For additional information please visit http://www.geriatricnursing.org/scholars-fellows/2012/2012_ scholars.asp MEMBER NEWS continues on page 6 4
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MEMBER NEWS from page 4 Christina Wei, PhD, MSN, NP (San Antonio) was featured on the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Facebook page. The NHSC provides loan repayment and scholarships to clinicians in exchange for working in communities with limited access to health care. This year marks 40 years since NHSC made its first award, and to honor this milestone, they will showcase a new member of the Corps for 40 weeks. Dr. Wei s story represents the fifteenth installment in this series, and her story was selected for her dedication to providing care to a community with limited access to care. See http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/corpsexperience/40clinicians/christinawei/index.html. Dina Miranda-Diaz, MSN, MPH, DNP, RN (New Jersey) became the first Latina to be licensed as a Health Officer in the State of New Jersey in June. Earlier this summer, she graduated from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice and became director of maternity and pediatrics at Meadowlands Hospital and Medical Center in Secaucus, NJ, a 163-bed community hospital in New Jersey. I am thrilled with all the new changes in my life, but most especially for being the CEO of the local board of health, with the ability to help all those members of my community with access to health care. This position will enable me to improve outcomes of a largely populated Latino community in Union City, New Jersey, the most densely populated city in the U.S., said Miranda-Diaz. 6 Bertha Sepulveda- Pena Bertha Sepulveda-Pena, BSN, RN (Valle Del Sol, AZ) will receive the Rosa Carrillo Torres Humanitarian Award at the Valle del Sol s 22 nd Annual Profiles of Success Hispanic Leadership Awards Celebration on September 7 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Sepulveda-Pena is the founder and president of NAHN s Valle del Sol Chapter and co-founded the Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens (MAHC). Currently, she works to set an example for younger nurses and students by volunteering her time to promote blood pressure screening and health education among Hispanic-owned businesses. The awards recognize special individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievements in the Arizona community. For more information please visit http://www.valledelsol.com/ wp-content/uploads/2010/09/profiles-of-success-2012-honorees-selected-press-release.pdf NOTE: We would love to hear from you next! Share your successes with info@thehispanicnurses.org. NAHN Ambassadors Become a NAHN Ambassador by recruiting new members! Below are the number of new members recruited by NAHN members from May 23, 2012 through August 23, 2012. Angelica Flores (Los Angeles): 4 members Monica Garcia (San Diego): 3 members Corina Chick (Valle del Sol): 3 members Ana Nogueira (New Jersey): 2 members The following members sponsored one member: Ana Mena, Aurelia Laird, Cabiria Lizarraga, Carmen Ferrell, Christina Rodriguez, Daniel Dillon, Denorah Pacheco Irby, Diana Kaeding, Elizabeth Nava, Grace Grau, Iris Rosario-Atkins, Jodi Austin, Judith cullinane, Katherine Deterage, Linda Cardenas-Ochoa, Lisa Diaz, Margaret Avila, Maria Krol, Maria Tere Villot, Norma Cuellar, Pamela Flores, Ruby Martinez, Teresa Aldana, and Yamina Alvarez. See page 12 to find out who won the NAHN Ambassador of the Year Award! Please keep in mind your name needs to be on the Member Referral line on a NEW member s application to get credit. NAHN Angels In this section, we recognize the members who have donated funds to NAHN. Please thank the following members for their donations and support of NAHN. Beatriz Gomez, RN, MSN Laura M. Breitel, BSN, PHN, RN Carol R. Torres, MSN, MSed, MPH Becoming a NAHN Angel is very simple! You can donate money when you renew or donate any time by going to http://www.nahnnet.org and clicking on the Donate button. You can designate how you want your donation used (e. g. Student Scholarships, Member Education, General Association Needs, or Unspecified) by indicating your intention in the Add your message link on the second donation screen. You can also send us a check! NAHN Chapter Tidbits Hartford, CT Chapter By MaryAnn Brescia The mission of the chapter is to promote a healthier Hartford. We do this through community outreach/education and mentoring students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. We offer our fellow members the opportunity for leadership experiences. CHAPTER TIDBITS continues on page 8
WE SUPPORT YOUR COMMITMENT Advancing the level of education for practicing nurses, nurse leaders and educators is a responsibility we take very seriously. We are committed to graduating extraordinary nurses who transform healthcare. Susan Groenwald President, Chamberlain College of Nursing Chamberlain College of Nursing is proud to bring our history and tradition to support the National Association of Hispanic Nurses mission within the Hispanic Community. As you pursue excellence in nursing education and the nursing profession we encourage you to learn more about Chamberlain College of Nursing and see how our partnership with NAHN can help you achieve your goal in raising the level of care within your community. Be Extraordinary. Be a Chamberlain Nurse. Go to chamberlain.edu/nahn to see education opportunities or call 855.411.6573. National Management Offices 3005 Highland Parkway Downers Grove, IL 60515 888.566.8CCN(8226) Comprehensive program-specific consumer information: chamberlain.edu/studentconsumerinfo. 2012 Chamberlain College of Nursing, LLC. All rights reserved. Chamberlain College of Nursing 2450 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202 is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, 101 N. 14th Street, 10th Floor, James Monroe Building, Richmond, VA 23219, 804.225.2600. Chamberlain College of Nursing has provisional approval from the Virginia Board of Nursing, Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233-1463, 804.367.4515. AC0107 7
CHAPTER TIDBITS from page 6 Our immediate goals are to increase memberships and gain recognition through media and social networking. Our future goals are to raise money for scholarships and continue to host community events that will educate the Hartford community. We also want to increase our relationships with the Hartford school system in order to mentor prospective nursing students. Our contact information is as follows President: MaryAnn Brescia, RN, BSN, MSN nmsnbrescia@hotmail.com Vice President: Elizabeth Perez, MSN, BSN, RN Isabel729@cox.net Secretary: Carmen Santos Santos.e.carmen@gmail.com Treasurer: Diane Wilson, MSN, RN dwilsonmsn@gmail.com NAHN El Paso Chapter Mano y Corazón ( Hand & Heart ) Binational Conference of Multicultural Health Care Solutions The NAHN El Paso Chapter will take part in the Mano y Corazón ( Hand & Heart ) Binational Conference of Multicultural Health Care Solutions at the Wyndham El Paso Airport Hotel on October 1-2. The conference s mission is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices between healthcare professionals along the U.S./Mexico border with the end goal of creating a Center of Excellence on Border Health Care Solutions. Donald M. Berwick, MD, former administrator of the Center for Medicine & Medicare Services, will serve as the keynote speaker. The conference will also feature a presentation by Gizane Indart, PsyD, a fellow at The Child Trauma Academy, and a special session on the Institute of Medicine s The Future of Nursing Report - Texas Team: Advancing Health Through Nursing. The conference is open to all healthcare professionals, students, consumers and policymakers who want to learn about cuttingedge collaborative care delivery to multicultural communities. For more information, send an e-mail to: multiculturalhealthsolutions@gmail.com or visit their website at http://www. manoycorazonhealthcareconference.com. NAHN-Michigan Chapter 2012 Nursing Scholarship Deadline Fast Approaching The NAHN-Michigan Chapter is pleased to announce their 2012 Nursing Scholarship application is now available. This year, the chapter will be awarding four $1,000 scholarships and this year marks the first year Hispanic graduate students are able to apply. The timeline is short as the due date is October 1. The scholarships will be awarded at the chapter s scholarship fundraiser on October 26 in Detroit. The Michigan Chapter also recently announced its new Board of Directors: Chapter President: Josie Foley, RN, MS, CCM Vice President: Deborah (Debbie) Moreno Lopez, RN Treasurer: Cinthia (Cindy) L. Davis, NP Secretary: Maria del Carmen Solis-Crowley, BSN, RN, CDE Board Members: Anna Maria Jaso, MSN, RN Claudia Valdez Lowe, MS, ACNP-BC, CCRN, Immediate Past President New Jersey Chapter Report By Yolanda Delgado, MSN, RNC The New Jersey Chapter Report was inadvertedly left out of the 2012 NAHN Annual Conference Chapter Reports document. Some highlights include: New Jersey Chapter s Immediate Past-president Ana Nogueira delivered the Rutgers University EOF Graduation Commencement speech at Rutgers Newark campus. The Chapter partnered with Puerto Rican Family Institute at the Jose Marti Freshman Academy, Union City, NJ to provide blood pressure screenings at a Feria de Salud. Chapter recruitment was also a priority as nursing students participated as well. Several chapter members received advanced degrees: Gina Miranda-Diaz obtained her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ. Daisy Perez obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from University of Phoenix. Carmen Torres obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from William Patterson University. For the full report, see http//:www.nahnnet.org/ 2012NewJerseyChapterAnnualReport.pdf. New York Chapter by Angela Plasencia Make A Little Bottom Happy Initiative in support of Momma House Diaper Drive In support of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses NY Chapter s Make A Little Bottom Happy initiative, student members from the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing and the Columbia University School of Nursing kick-started diaper fundraising programs in their schools. Rosario Jaime-Lara of Columbia came up with the idea of a Spanish medical terminology class that would help students in the health professions better communicate with the growing Hispanic population. The Spanish medical terminology class was taught by Jaime-Lara and Hunter nursing student Angela Plasencia. The class was taught at Columbia University and was open to both Hunter and Columbia students. 8
Rosario Jaime-Lara and Angela Plascencia with their collected items. The class served two purposes first to teach the students valuable basic Spanish skills necessary to complete a full physical assessment of the patient, and acquire a medical history; and, while at the class, the students could donate unopened diaper packs and/or bring a monetary donation. The funds raised and diapers collected were part of NAHN NY Chapter s MOMMAS House diaper drive. MOMMAS House is a home for young mothers aged 17 to 23 years and their babies. For approximately two year, the mothers at MOMMAS are supported to continue their education or vocational experience. With guidance and direction, the young mothers learn to support themselves and their children independently. Hunter students raised $200 and donated over 10 packs of diapers. On a separate note, Plasencia, who serves as vice president of the Hunter Student Nurses Association, started a Penny Wars fundraiser at Hunter. This event was open to Hunter nursing students, as well as Hunter College Brookdale dorm residents. The seniors and freshman paired up to fundraise against the juniors and sophomores. Decorated coin containers were passed around in class and kept at the front of security at the Broodale Campus dorms. The juniors and sophomores raised more than $140 in change and the total amount fundraised was $162 in about a month s time. 14th Annual NAHN San Diego Fundraising Gala The San Diego Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) encourages those in the area to take part in their 14th Annual Scholarship Fundraising Gala. The event will be held October 6 at the Hilton San Diego Airport/ Harbor Island. The highlight of the gala will be the presentation of $10,000 in scholarships to local nursing students, and will also feature a gift basket extravaganza, dinner and dancing. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the San Diego National Association of Hispanic Nurses website at http://www.sdnahn.org Washington, DC Chapter Report By Arilma St. Clair, MSN, RN The Summer 2012 has come and is almost gone, and we hosted the last activity for this season at Rosa Mexicano. We had a blast and we were able to have direct access to experts in the area of HIV treatment and care. We thank all the colleagues who attended this wonderful lecture dinner and we encourage 9 you to continue to attend these lectures from SimplySpeakingHIV.com and Power Point Communications. Also, the Muevete USA Project reached its conclusion on August 2. I would like to extend gratitude for the following members who volunteered for the project: Soledad Sheppley, RN Flor Mckinley, RN Maria Teresa Rodriguez Julissa Reyes Oswaldo Martinez Carmen Ramirez, PhD, RN Ethel Arjona, LPN Health Policy & Legislative Affairs The Judicial Review Process of the Affordable Care Act by Mirian Zavala DNS, RN History of National Health Insurance National insurance is not a new concept in this great country of ours. This debate started in 1912 with former President Theodore Roosevelt. He advocated for passage of a national health insurance that eluded his tenure in the White House. Former President F. D. Roosevelt also championed this cause without success. Congress did address the current social issue of the time, the Great Depression, by passing the Social Security Act in 1935. This act, signed into law by FDR is an example of the government providing assistance to its citizens. Former President Lyndon B. Johnson s two landmark government health programs: Medicare for the elderly and Medicaid for the poor were passed in 1965. This dialogue between the subsequent Presidents and Congress continued. In 1993, former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, under the tenure of former President Clinton developed a plan for universal coverage. It was disrupted by a Republican resistance, lobbying from businesses, and the health care in-
dustry. The Senate did not pass the plan. President Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress spent an intense year in 2009 developing an acceptable legislation to provide healthcare coverage for uninsured Americans. The Affordable Care Act was signed into law in March 2010. Affordable Care Act The Affordable Care Act was challenged in the state of Florida almost immediately after it was passed into law on March 23, 2010. This challenge obtained traction in January 31, 2011, when Judge Vinson of the federal district court in Tallahassee invalidated ACA. Judge Vinson s argument was that the lack of proof that there would be a limit of federal power if the compulsory health insurance purchase remains intact. The political tsunami that occurred in the Congress of 2011 resulted in the Republican Party control of the House and they voted to repeal ACA 245 to 189 votes. The Republican Party s contention is that the mandate would be an unconstitutional expansion of federal power. They stated that the government could regulate commerce but could not force individuals to purchase health insurance. The House s repeal did not advance to the Senate which the Democratic Party controls and the White House. Twenty-six states, individuals, and the National Federation of Independent Business brought suit in Federal District Court, challenging the law. The Department of Justice responded by filing a cert petition on September 28, 2011, asking the Supreme Court to review the 2-1 decision of the Court of Appeals for the 11 th Circuit striking down a portion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), specifically for the mandate of requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance under the Commerce Law, it does not empower the Federal Government to order individuals to engage in commerce. In March, 2012, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) started a three-day judicial review of ACA. Some members of the public were concerned whether SCOTUS decisions would be influenced by the justices ideologies. Democratic Presidents appointed four of the liberal justices and Republican Presidents appointed five of the conservative justices to SCOTUS. The first day of the judicial review on March 26, 2012, the Supreme Court initially considered if a decision should be postponed until 2015 when individuals will be fined for not buying health insurance. The question presented: Whether the suit brought by the respondents to challenge the minimum coverage provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is barred by the Anti-Injunction Act? The argument was based on a 19 th century law, the Anti-Injunction Act, which states, No suit for the purpose of restraining the assessment or collection of any tax shall be maintained in any court by any person. The Anti-Injunction Act was enacted to ascertain that the tax collection was not disrupted by lawsuits. This means that the challenges were premature due to the statute barring any court from hearing the case until someone actually had to pay a penalty on his or her 2015 income tax returns for not purchasing health insurance. Apparently, some of the proponents and opponents of ACA did not want to wait. Supreme Court Justice Breyer countered, that even though the penalty is being collected in the same manner of a tax doesn t automatically mean it s a tax, particularly since the purpose of the Anti-Injunction Act is to prevent interference with the revenue stream. This legal challenge does not interfere with revenue collection. Chief Supreme Court Justice Roberts stated the Anti-Injunction Act does not bar the SCOTUS from hearing the case because The Affordable Care Act describes the payment as a penalty not a tax to be paid to the Internal Revenue Service with the individuals taxes. On the second day of review, March 27, 2012, the question presented: Whether Congress had the power under Article 1 of the Constitution to enact the minimum coverage provision? The issue is whether Congress can mandate individuals to purchase health insurance under the Commerce Clause? The conservative Justices questioned if Congress can mandate individuals not engaged in commerce to buy a product, health insurance from private companies? Chief Justice Roberts concluded that Upholding the Affordable Care Act under the Commerce Clause would give Congress the same license to regulate what people do not do. The Framers knew the difference between doing something and doing nothing. They gave Congress the power to regulate commerce, not to compel it. To example, the penalty will be 2.5 percent of an individual s household income in 2016, but no less than $695 and no more than the average yearly premium for insurance that covers 60 percent of the cost of 10 specified services (e.g., prescription drugs and hospitalization). On the third day of judicial review on March 28, 2012, SCO- TUS stated currently, the Act requires state programs to provide Medicaid coverage by 2014 to adults with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, whereas many States now cover adults with children only if their income is considerably lower, and do not cover childless adults at all. But if a State does not comply with the Act s new coverage requirements, it may lose not only the federal funding for those requirements, but all of its federal Medicaid funds. The question presented: Whether the Affordable Care Act must be invalidated in its entirety because it is non-severable from the individual mandate that exceeds Congress s limited and enumerated powers under the Constitution? SCOTUS considered if they struck down the mandate, would the other provisions in ACA survive, because the mandate maybe intertwined to other the provisions such as the insurance companies accepting individuals with pre-existing health conditions; then, ACA may fall apart. The second question considered on the third day was: Does Congress exceed its enumerated powers and violate basic principles of federalism when it coerces states into accepting onerous conditions that it could not impose directly by threatening to withhold all federal funding under the single largest grant-in-aid program, Medicaid? Thus, is the provision of expanding Medicaid coverage coercive? The 10
Supreme Court majority opinion is that this provision is coercive, the states risk losing billions in funding if the states do not comply. The dissenting joint opinion of Supreme Court Justices Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas and Alito stated It amounts instead to a vast judiciary overreaching. They found ACA invalid. NAHN Update NAHN Issues Essential Benefits Policy Statement This summer, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses sent a letter to the Honorable Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) remitting NAHN s policy statement on our recommendations for Essential Health Benefits for the Hispanic / Latino community to ensure access to quality health care for Hispanics that will meet their health care needs. These recommendations are of benefit to everyone, regardless of ethnic background. The NAHN Essential Benefit Policy Statement was developed over several months by NAHN s Policy Committee; its Chair Maria Elena Ruiz, PhD, RN, FNP-BC; Immediate Past President Angie Millan, MSN, RNP, CNS; as well as the presidents and members of several NAHN Chapters the Illinois Chapter (Adrianna Nava, BSN RN - president); New York Chapter (Maria Elena Pina Fonti, MA, RN - president); two chapters in Florida (Miami Chapter, Yamina Alvarez, DNP, RN - president and Broward, Fla. Chapter, Tuni Borrego, MSN, RN - president); and three chapters in California, Los Angeles (Diane Sanchez, PHN, MSN/MPH, RN, CNS - president), Orange County (Carmen Farrell, MSN, RN, CCRN) - president and San Diego Chapter (Cabiria Lizarraga, RN - president). NAHN also was assisted by Pfizer Inc, who conducted briefings with these Chapters on essential benefits, as well as a webinar last November, which kicked-off the work of NAHN on the Essential Benefits project. The rest of NAHN members were invited to contribute by entering their suggestions on a Wiki that was developed by NAHN to facilitate the collaboration. To access the complete policy paper, visit http://www.nahnnet. org/ 2012_NAHN_EHB_Policy_Statement.pdf. To learn more about Essential Benefits by listening the Nov. 10, 2011 NAHN webinar, visit http://www.nahnnet.org/nahnwebinars.html. NAHN Journal Celebrates Anniversary Happy Anniversary to NAHN s peer-reviewed journal, Hispanic Health Care International (HHCI) which was launched at the 27 th Annual Conference held on July 2002 in Miami, Florida. The Journal is still providing members and others in the healthcare industry with high-quality articles on Latino/Hispanic healthcare issues. The Journal has launched a section on clinical-related articles (see more details in the next article). Happy 10 th Anniversary, HHCI! Recruitment to Facilitate Clinical Submissions for the NAHN Journal As requested by membership, the NAHN HHCI journal has a clinical focus in addition to the current research focus. To enhance the promotion of submissions related to clinical practice, the following participants are needed: Volunteer reviewers for submissions, i.e., preferably members with a doctorate or minimally a masters in a clinical area or education. Volunteer Mentors to advise, mentor, and support new authors through the submission process, i.e., revisions, format, etc. Submissions and/or inquiries from members who have potential scholarly documents, ideas regarding practice experience to share, etc. To facilitate the process, NAHN is scheduling some webinars to discuss such topics as: How to transfer a clinical experience into an article to share with colleagues Writing strategies Preparation and submission strategies How to address rejection/revisions Please contact NAHN Vice President and Clinical Editor Margaret Avila, PhD(c), MSN, RN/NP, PHN at mavila04@ gmail.com or by calling her at 323-319-6375 (message) if you are interested in any of these positions. New NAHN Corporate Member NAHN welcomes Shionogi Inc as its newest Corporate Member. Shionogi Inc. is the U.S.-based group company of Shionogi & Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company. Shionogi Inc. develops and commercializes pharmaceutical products that address unmet medical needs. Together with their Japanese corporate parent, Shionogi has been providing innovative medicines essential to people s health for over 130 years. Shionogi Inc. s products in development seek to help patients with a variety of diseases and conditions, including male sexual health, pediatric conditions, women s health, HIV, pain, and diabetes. For more information about Shionogi Inc, visit http://www.nahnnet. org/nahnshionogimember.html. NAHN Advertisers Please remember to support the NAHN web advertisers (through August 29, 2012). These companies have chosen to financially support NAHN. Drexel University Online Nursing @ Georgetown University Novo Nordisk UnitedHealth Group 11
Many thanks also to the following advertisers of this newsletter: UnitedHealth Group Chamberlain College of Nursing NAHN Job Board Did you know that NAHN s Career Headquarters has some wonderful job openings in many different positions around the U.S.? If you or someone you know is looking for a new opportunity, don t forget to check out http://www.thehispanicnurses. org/jobpress/. Below are some of the jobs as of August 29 th, 2012. Nurse Openings at Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, Ohio) Hospice Nurse Manager at Legacy Hopewell House at Legacy Health (Portland, Oregon) Physician Substitutes/Medical Supervisors at Grifols, Inc (USA, Anywhere) Coordinator Outreach Nursing Development at ST. JUDE CHILDREN S RESEARCH HOSPITAL (Memphis, Tennessee) Nurse Manager at La Clinica del Pueblo (Washington, DC) Tenure Track Nursing Faculty at California State University Channel Islands (USA) Nurse Case Manager at St. Elizabeth s Health Center (Tucson, AZ) Spanish Bilingual RN / LPNs - Nashville, TN at Vanderbilt University and Medical Center (Nashville, TN) Also, don t forget to encourage your employer to post job openings on the NAHN Career Headquarter page!! Our fees are very reasonable and the money collected benefits YOU, our members! Contact NAHN s Executive Director/CEO Celia Besore, MBA, CAE at director@thehispanicnurses.org for more information. 2012 NAHN Annual Conference How Sweet It Was! If you did not attend the 37 th NAHN Annual Conference, you missed a great opportunity to listen to excellent presentations, network with old and newly-made friends, visit some wonderful exhibitors, and have a great time. There was even salsa music in the Exhibit Hall on the first day! Below is a sample of some of the comments received in the evaluations: This conference was the best one NAHN has had! The membership meeting was exceptional; everyone was professional; & well organized. My questions were always answered. I was a speaker and felt that I was taken care of from start to finish. NAHN definitely hit a homerun with me! I thought this was the most organized conference I have attended in the past 3 years. I loved the student s participation, and didn t get lost once this time. I have been to a few other conferences this year from other organizations but this has been the best one! Truly, I have not enjoyed a conference so much in years. I am a first generation Southern Italian and when I worked at Betances on Lower East Side, I felt an immediate connection with Latinos. Our culture is very similar and I was shaped by the scarpetta- slipper in Italian - I felt simpaticosomething that I have not had anywhere else! See http://www.fotografiadistinta.com/nahn to access the Conference photos from the meeting. As they say A picture is worth a thousand words! Imagine what 1,200 pictures can say! Some of the photos appear on the last page of this newsletter. Let s Applaud These Hard-working Members Jose Alejandro, with Maria Krol, Corina Chick, and Angie Millan Congratulations to Corina Ibarra Chick, BSN, RN (Valle del Sol Chapter), who won for the 4th time in a row, the NAHN Ambassador of the Year Award. Corina recruited 39 new members since the 2011 Annual Conference. She will be able to attend the 2013 Annual Conference for free! Maria Krol, MSN, RNC-NIC (Connecticut Chapter) won second place. She recruited 19 new members and won t have to worry about renewing her membership for the next two years--nahn took care of that. Angie Millan, MSN, RNP, CNS (Los Angeles Chapter) did not rest in her laurels and won a second year in a row third place. Angie received a free one-year NAHN membership. Ladies and gentlemen, the competition has started again. Who will be the 2013 Ambassadors of the Year winners? Let s do it! Some Lucky Ladies! Congratulations to Beatrice Ruiz, MS, BSN, CSN, RN (New Jersey Chapter) who amazingly won the $500 gift certificate BOTH days of the Exhibits! What a lucky lady! Congratulations also to Sally Mata, RN, for winning a beautiful set of scrubs, that were donated by Koi (https://www. koihappiness.com/). NAHN CONFERENCE continues on page 14 12
HISPANIC HEALTH CARE INTERNATIONAL Call for Evidenced-Based Manuscripts Hispanic Health Care International is the official journal of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. This peer-reviewed journal serves as an interdisciplinary forum for the dissemination of information for clinical practice, education, research, and policy on issues concerning Hispanic/Latino populations in the United States. Hispanic Health Care International invites practitioners, faculty teaching in clinical doctoral program, and clinical doctoral students to contribute the following types of articles evidenced-based practice and research: Nilda (Nena) Peragallo Elias Provencio-Vásquez Editors-in-Chief Katherine Maidenberg Managing Editor Margaret Avila Clinical Editor Case Studies. Case studies are major articles that demonstrate clinical excellence and application of evidence-based practice. Articles may address any aspect of clinical care from prevention through acute illness to rehabilitation and palliative care. Submissions should present the step by step process of clinical decision making and address available evidence on epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, evaluation and management, and therapy or interventions. An abstract of 200 words or less required. Desired length is 8-24 manuscript pages. Literature Reviews. Reviews provide insightful summaries of the most important research on the selected topic and draw clear conclusions with implication for practice. Articles should be 4-8 manuscript pages. Brief Reports. Brief reports are concise articles that are 4-8 manuscript pages. To submit a manuscript, please send an e-mail with a cover letter and the manuscript to Clinical Editor Margaret Avila at mavila04@gmail.com. 13
NAHN CONFERENCE from page 12 NAHN Socialcasters! Ada Doris Gonzalez, MSN, RN was the lucky recipient of a luxurious Coach bag (see photo on left with two VITAS representatives) raffled by NAHN s Preconference sponsor, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care. Congratulations, ladies! Thanks to the following NAHN members and supporters who promoted the Annual Conference, before, during, and after through social media sites--facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Andrea Eselunas Angel Garcia, BSN, RN Antonia Brown, RN, MA Christian Clock Glason Dottie Rodriguez, MSN, RN, CS Fortuna Alvarez Borrego, MSN,RN Magda Angel, RN Rose Caballero, MSN,RN, CCM Sheny Angel Teofila Ramirez, BSN, RN A big shout-out to Teofila, who posted photos and comments throughout the conference. 2012 Poster of the Year Award Winners Students Shined! Many thanks to the following students and volunteers for an outstanding job as guides, speaker presenters and monitors. They truly made a difference! Abraham Vandiver, ADSN Alejandro Gallo Alexis Andino Angela Plascencia Anne Marie Heffennan Brenda Landaverde Daysa Bencosme Jessica Hernandez Jovana Portillo Kenneth Narvaez Maribel Jimenez Massiel Avendano Nicole Thomas, BSN, RN Priscilla Hernandez Rosario Jaime-Lara Thanks to our Conference Sponsors NAHN would like to extend a big THANK YOU to the following Annual Conference sponsors. Eli Lilly - Platinum Sponsorship (Friday Gala); Conference Bag Sponsorship; and Neck Wallet/Badge Holder Sponsorship Coca-Cola Company - Opening Reception UnitedHealth Group - Career Fair VITAS - Pre-conference Pfizer Inc - Bronze Sponsorship Excelsior College - Emerald Sponsorship Mount Sinai Hospital - Emerald Sponsorship University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing - Emerald Sponsorship Boston s Children Hospital - Conference Bag Sponsorship Johns Hopkins University - Conference Bag Sponsorship Columbia University School of Nursing - Conference Bag Sponsorship Thanks to our Exhibitors Another highlight of the conference were the many posters displayed in the Exhibit Hall. All the submissions were outstanding and the judges had hard time choosing only one to win the Poster of the Year Award. Congratulations to Samuel Gomez, RN, MSN, CENP; Karem Herrera-Blair RN, BSN, CCRN; and Berto Muniz RN, BSN, CCRN for their winning poster, The Summer Camp for Kids 2011 - Traveling to Your Future Project. Another big THANK YOU to our Conference Exhibitors: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality All Childrens Hospital Arizona State University College of Nursing and Health Innovation Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis Case Western Reserve University, School of Nursing Children s Hospital Boston Children s Hospital Los Angeles Children s Medical Center Dallas Children s Mercy Hospital and Clinics Cigna 14
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Columbia University School of Nursing Department of Veteran Affairs (HRRO) Diversitynursing.com Eli Lilly Emory University School of Nursing Excelsior College FDA Office of Women s Health Fortis College Frontier Nursing University Froedtert Health Gannet HealthCare Group Goldfarb School of Nursing Barnes - Jewish College HRSA s Bureau of Clinician Recruitment Services Humana International SOS Assistance, Inc. Johns Hopkins Hospital Johns Hopkins University Lee Memorial Health System Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing Mayo Clinic MinorityNurse.com National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) National Institute of Arthritis National Library of Medicine Northern Kentucky University College of Health Professions Oakland University, School of Nursing OHSU School of Nursing Parkland Health and Hospital System Shionogi Inc. Sparrow Health System St. Jude Children s Research Hospital The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Tourette Syndrome Association UnitedHealth Group Universidad del Sagrado Corazon University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing University of California Schools of Nursing University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing University of Nevada, Reno - Orvis School of Nursing University of Washington, School of Nursing U.S. Navy Recruiting Command U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision Vanderbilt University School of Nursing VITAS Innovative Hospice Care Thanks to Our Conference Program Advertisers Atlantic Health System Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis Brookline College Genex Services Inc. Kent State University College of Nursing Maimonides Medical Center MJHS (Metropolitan Jewish Health System) - Premium Advertisement Nathan Adelson Hospice New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Healthcare System St. Rose Dominican Hospitals (SRDH) The University of Arizona College of Nursing UW-Milwaukee College of Nursing Yale-New Haven Hospital Let s Get Social We want to invite our members to get social and join the NAHN Social Media sites. Become a fan of the NAHN Facebook page and follow our tweets on our Twitter page. Click on the links below and join us now! NAHN Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/national-association-of-hispanic-nurses/357006211890 NAHN Twitter Page: @nahnnursing or http://www.twitter.com/ nahnnursing. NAHN LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/ groups?mostpopular=&gid=2358996 News from Our Corporate Members Excelsior College Offers Reduced Tuition and Fees NAHN and Excelsior College have joined forces to allow NAHN members and their spouse/domestic partner to pursue advanced nursing degrees through the nonprofit, regionally accredited college, home to the largest nursing school in the nation and a recognized Center of Excellence in Nursing Education. Under the new agreement, NAHN members and their spouses or domestic partners are eligible for reduced tuition and fees for bachelor degree programs in the School of Nursing, as well as undergraduate degree programs in Liberal Arts, Health Sciences, and Business and Technology. Excelsior College, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011, is an accredited, nonprofit college that specializes in serving the needs of working adults. It provides flexible means for its students to earn their degrees through the use of a combination of prior earned credit, Excelsior s online courses and credit-by-exam program, and evaluated industry and military training programs. Clorox Features NAHN Members When Clorox joined NAHN last October, NAHN collaborated with Clorox to identify members for Clorox s Hispanic Nurse Network / Red de Enfermeras Hispanas. NAHN is delighted to applaud Wendy Reyes (New York Chapter) who was the special guest at a Network Live Chat on August 29. The topic of the chat was on tips for mothers to keep the family healthy as the children go back to school. The chat was 15
carried out in conjunction with Latinamombloggers. Clorox provided two $200 gift cards and two baskets with Clorox products to raffle among the chat participants. More NAHN members will be featured in future events. Follow NAHN on Facebook and/or Twitter to find out about the next chat see addresses of NAHN s social media sites on the left column of this page. MedImmune Advocacy Educational Materials on Influenza and Prematurity Free to NAHN Members Just in time for back to school and flu season coming up, the MedImmune Advocacy has generously provided a new suite of free educational materials through its website portal. These patient education materials deliver easy to read information for patients or parents on influenza and prematurity. The Flu Education Program highlights key facts about the flu and promote awareness of the importance of vaccination to prevent the spread of flu, while the Special Delivery Handle With Care program helps parents of babies born early navigate the premature journey, help partners meet their goals of education, and support families with premature infants. Preview and order materials by logging on to www.medimmuneadvocacy.com, and choosing Influenza/Fight the Flu or Premature Infants/Special Delivery. First time users should enter the key code NAHN11 (FOR NAHN MEMBERS ONLY). NAHN Corporate Member Grand Canyon University Features NAHN Member Julia Rivera, BSN earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University in Dec. 2011. As a university with over a 60-year history, Grand Canyon University offers a variety of online and campus-based degree programs for both traditional students as well as working professionals. When asked to describe her experience at GCU, Rivera comments, The support from classmates and the clinical experience in the hospitals was wonderful. Without the support from classmates and faculty at GCU, it would have been difficult to succeed. GCU s College of Nursing has been providing an outstanding education for over 25 years. Set in an environment that provides extensive hands-on training, the College of Nursing provides quality nursing simulations and an outstanding human dissection and anatomy program. GCU nursing students are continually asked to make a connection between what is learned, its relevance and its application. The clinical experience allowed me to apply what we were learning in class, Rivera explained. As a RN who works nights on the hematology/oncology floor of Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, Rivera feels that earning her degree at GCU helped her obtain her current position at Mayo and will also open future doors and potential nursing paths. Rivera has also been a member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses since 2010. She joined this organization because she wanted to be a part of a nursing association that focuses its support and service in the Latino community. My involvement with NAHN has helped me in my education at GCU. I participated in two grants for NAHN, a mentorship program for Latino high school students interested in nursing, and Muevete USA, which focuses on childhood obesity in the Latino population. I learned a great deal by participating in these grants. NAHN allows its members to be actively involved in helping the community from a healthcare standpoint. According to Rivera, NAHN supports us with education, information and knowledge in regards to the future of nursing. Other News Pfizer s Get Old Campaign Pfizer Inc has announced a new initiative called Get Old. As part of Pfizer s mission to improve the health and wellbeing for people at every stage of life, the Get Old campaign is designed to amplify the conversation about aging and help all of us learn more about how American adults are tackling aging for themselves, their families and society. The initiative will provide information from leading health experts, partner groups and everyday people on how to live longer and better. For more information please visit www.getold.com Upbeat about Aging Study A new survey from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), UnitedHealthcare and USA TODAY found that most older Americans feel their best years are still to come, but not all are prepared for the health and financial challenges of aging. Close to 70 percent of respondents say the past year of their lives has been normal or better than normal, and more than 75 percent of seniors ages 60-69 expect their quality of life to stay the same or get better over the next five to 10 years. Seniors positive outlook confirms the many improvements that have resulted in greater longevity and quality of life for older Americans, who are enjoying a level of health and security unknown to their parents and grandparents. Many aging experts, however, contend that today s seniors face challenges unlike those experienced by previous generations, particularly in living with long-term chronic health conditions and the need for longer-term financial security. Additional information can be found on the UnitedHealth Group website at: http://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/newsroom/news.aspx?id=0249a127-bfed-440e-b0d3-92960771f96d. Breastfeeding Awareness Month August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month and the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) is inviting NAHN mem- 16
bers to engage in a social media discussion about how everyone can help make breastfeeding easier. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women s Health and GSA s Federal Citizen Information Center have created a free Breastfeeding Resources Action Kit that includes a variety of publications to read and download. Visit http://promotions.usa.gov/breastfeeding.html for more information. Bilingual AHRQ publications for Patients U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), is offering bilingual publication materials geared toward improving patient provider communications. The publications includes a seven-minute English language video featuring a patient/ clinician discussion regarding the importance of asking questions and sharing information as well as pamphlets in Spanish offering patient tips. This material can be found online at http://pm3.stantonstreetgroup.com/newsletter.sstg?newsletter=7714 Institute for Health Promotion Research Provides Health Tips for Latinos The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio s Institute for Health Promotion Research is working on a number of stud- ies pertaining to Latino health. These studies include linking diabetes and obesity to liver cancer in Latinos, as well as innovative ways to improve life for Latino cancer survivors. For more information please visit http://ihpr.uthscsa.edu/ sites/ihpr-drupal/files/ihprsummer012.pdf MMWR: Recommendations for the Identification of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Persons Born During 1945 1965 Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. CDC estimates that persons born during 1945-1965 account for three fourths of all HCV infections in the country. This report presents CDC recommendations that augment previous recommendations for HCV testing and recommends one-time testing without prior ascertainment of HCV risk for persons born during 1945-1965. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/ rr6104.pdf CMS Provides Updates on Health Insurance Marketplace / Affordable Care Act The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has invited NAHN members to a regional teleconference with CMS The NAHN Mentorship Academy wants to recognize the 2011-2012 Mentors and Protégés Coordinator: Vivian Torres-Suarez, RN, MBA, BSN Mentors: Miriam Gonzalez, NY Aida Eques-NY Dan Suarez-NY Dilcia Ortega-NY Helen Ballestas-NY Miriam Carasa-NY Jessica Gordon-FL Jose Alejandro-TX Patricia Solis-OR Mirian Zavala-NY Jennifer Figueroa-NY Protégés: Angel Garcia- NY Wendy Reyes- NY Guillermina Solis- TX Ericka McNeal- NY Darleny Henriquez- MA Roberto Monserate- NY Adrianna Nava- IL Tatiana Merlero- NY Alicia Barton- NY And those of the El Paso Chapter, who has implemented the NAHN Mentorship Academy Coordinators: Manuel Manny Santa Cruz, MSN, MBA, RN, NE-BC and Maria E. Hinojosa Smith, MSN, RN, CCRN Mentors: Homero Guaderama Elias Provencio-Vasquez Paul Ocon Irma Estrada Josie Olivar Protégés Oscar Moreno Krista Terrazas Ruth Ferrero-Candelaria Alicia Sosa Laura Jimenez Are you interested in implementing the NAHN Mentorship Academy in your chapter, contact Vivian Torres-Suarez, RN, MBA, BSN at viviantorressuarez@yahoo.com 17
staff to update you on the latest information regarding implementation of the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchanges), part of the Affordable Care Act, and start discussing strategies to educate the uninsured, under-insured, and small businesses about expanded insurance coverage options. The teleconferences begin September 6 and goes through September 14 in various times and locations throughout the country. For more information and to register, please visit http://www. cms.gov/outreach-and-education/outreach/himarketplace/ ROStakeholderCalls.pdf CMS Announces Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Partnership to Improve Dementia Care, an initiative to ensure appropriate care and use of antipsychotic medications for nursing home patients. This partnership among federal and state partners, nursing homes and other providers, advocacy groups and caregivers has set a national goal of reducing use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing home residents by 15 percent by the end of 2012. The government agency is partnering with providers, caregivers, patients to ensure appropriate use of antipsychotic medications. Unnecessary antipsychotic drug use is a significant challenge in ensuring appropriate dementia care. CMS data show that in 2010 more than 17 percent of nursing home patients had daily doses exceeding recommended levels. More information please visit http://www.cms.gov/outreach- and-education/outreach/ffsprovpartprog/downloads/2012-05-30message.pdf The Affordable Care Act and Latinos The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation has released research brief Affordable Care Act to Latinos detailing how the estimated 5.4 million Latinos who would otherwise be uninsured will gain coverage by 2016 through the expansion of Medicaid eligibility and the creation of Affordable Insurance Exchanges. Many other valuable benefits, including coverage for young adults and preventive services without cost-sharing, are already in effect and benefiting Latinos across the country. More information can be found at http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/ reports/2012/aca&latinos/rb.pdf Give a Nurse a Break Sweepstakes for Free Vacation to Hershey Chocolate Spa Nurses across America are telling their friends about the Give a Nurse a Break sweepstakes, because the winner gets to take up to three of their best friends or co-workers on the vacation with them. California Casualty is giving away a free three-day/two- night getaway for four nurses to The Hotel Hershey s famous Chocolate Spa. The prize includes transportation, hotel accommodations, 18 meals for three days and two nights, and a full day of pampering at the spa. Nurses can enter at http://go.calcas.com/relax. OSHI & Health Professional Liaison Program s 2nd Annual Health Professional Organizations Conference The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Special Health Issues (OSHI), Health Professional Liaison Program will be hosting its Second Annual Health Professional Organizations Conference in collaboration with the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). OSHI is responsible for creating and maintaining relationships with health professional organizations to improve communications between their members and the FDA. The conference will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at FDA s White Oak Campus in Silver Spring, Maryland. The topics on the agenda include an update on the FDA Safety and Innovation Act and an overview of FDA s CDRH Network of Experts (public/private partnerships). The afternoon will consist of interactive breakout sessions facilitated by FDA staff from various centers and offices. Additional conference information including the agenda and registration (deadline October 1) is available at http://www. fda.gov/forhealthprofessionals/ucm309071.htm Electronic Health Records Programs Used by 100,000 Health Care Providers More than 100,000 health care providers are using electronic health records that meet federal standards and have benefitted from the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. The programs provide incentive payments for using EHR technology in meaningful ways that lead to higher quality care, improved patient safety, and shared decision making by patients and physicians. Through the programs eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals can receive support and financial incentives or implementing and meaningfully using certified EHR technology. For more information please visit http://www.cms.gov/ehrincentiveprograms Educational/Research Opportunities Aesculapius Award Competition for Health Care PSAs Now in their 20th year, the Aesculapius Award honors excellence in health communication through web, television and radio public service announcements (PSA). Any website or PSA that promotes public awareness, understanding or involvement in health, health care or health policy is eligible. Entries are judged by panels of communications and health professionals. The deadline for receipt of entries is September 7. For more information,visit www.hii.org/411.htm.
Travel, Study, Learn Travel, Study, Learn is a one-week study tour and cultural immersion experience in the City of Eternal Spring, Cuernavaca, Mexico. Since 1996, the program has taken health professionals from over 20 states and England to Cuernavaca to study at Universidad Internacional where participants have the opportunity to study Spanish, Mexican culture, and live with a Mexican family to become culture learners. Guided field trips to health care facilities and local cultural sites provide a first-hand view of day-to-day life in a Mexican city. Special conferences provide information on the Mexican health care system, traditional medicine and selected values and beliefs about health and illness. Formal class take place on Monday-Friday, from 8:00am to 2:00pm, with Spanish class from 8:00am-11:00am (no more than 5 students/teacher); a seminar from 11:00am- 12:00pm, and conversación, grammar or medical Spanish from 12:00pm-2:00pm; lunch with the host family at 2:00pm. Universidad Internacional offers 12 levels of Spanish from beginner to very advanced; placement is done according to language abilities. The weekend and evenings include social functions or excursions. The cost is $1,350 plus air from the departure city. 36 CEUs are provided. Flights depart from Dallas/Fort Worth and fly to Mexico City, where students then take a van or bus to Cuernavaca. Participants flying from other cities should meet the group in the Mexico City airport by 12:30 PM on the Friday of arrival. For 2013 dates and additional information, please visit website at http://www.uta.edu/nursing/hispanic/travel-studylearn/. Or e-mail barr@uta.edu. PRESIDENT S MESSAGE from page 1 historical framework of those individuals who have been at the forefront of improving care delivery of the Hispanic community and/or the visibility of NAHN. The initial group of individuals who will be interviewed is our founding members who blazed a path when Hispanic health organizations were scarce. I want to thank the following individuals who contributed so much to the conference last month: Sonia Valdez (CA), Dan Suarez (NY), Monica Garcia (CA), Armando Riera (FL), Celia Besore (DC), and Angie Millan (CA). Their countless volunteer hours were evident by the kudos from the attendees. The support from our major sponsors throughout our preconference (VITAS), conference (Coca-Cola Foundation, UnitedHealth Group, and Pfizer Inc) and the gala (Eli Lilly) provided a high-caliber program. Many thanks also to all our other sponsors and exhibitors. For a complete list, see http:// www.nahnnet.org. Dan and his Annual Conference Committee will definitely have their work cut out to top this year s selection of events. I am sure Dan is up for the challenge since I have attended the New York Chapter Gala a couple of times. We hope to see everyone in August 2013 at the Crown Plaza Astor in New Orleans!! Sincerely, President, NAHN 2012 NAHN Conference See http://www.fotografiadistinta.com/nahn to access the Conference photos. Past Presidents Reception 19
2012 NAHN Conference See http://www.fotografiadistinta.com/nahn to access the Conference photos. The Preconference Many thanks to Vitas for such wonderful training! Education The Exhibit Hall 20