Nurses on Boards Coalition and Chamberlain College of Nursing Join Forces to Empower Nurse Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Download PDF Version
April 26, 2017

Media Contacts:
Patricia Epstein, Nurses on Boards Coalition
301-628-5203
patricia.epstein@ana.org

Natalie Sobolewski
Senior Communications Manager
Chamberlain College of Nursing
630-353-8716
nsobolewski@chamberlain.edu

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – Today, the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) and Chamberlain College of Nursing announced the culmination of their year-long work developing a long-term strategic partnership with two goals: 1) Increase awareness of the significant impact nurses can have on healthcare through service on boards at every level; and 2) co-create programs to help nurses develop the competencies and readiness to serve on boards. Chamberlain has committed to supporting the work of the Coalition for a minimum of five years and will collaborate with the Coalition to accomplish the Coalition’s goals, positively impacting a culture of heath through the transformation of healthcare.

“We are excited about our Founding Strategic Partnership with the NOBC as it exemplifies our alignment around the vision, mission and purpose of empowering extraordinary nurses to step into leadership roles and have a significant impact on healthcare from bedside to boardroom,” said Susan Groenwald, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, national president for Chamberlain College of Nursing. “Through the development of programs that improve nurses’ leadership skills and competencies, nurses, including Chamberlain colleagues and alumni, will be more likely to participate on boards where they can make significant contributions to healthcare.”

According to recent statistics reported by Trustee magazine, an American Hospital Association publication, the vast majority of the nation’s hospitals and health systems do not have a nurse on their board. While America has 3.6 million nurses, only 5 percent of the nation’s hospitals have a nurse as a trustee or that serves on a board.1 Chamberlain aims to assist the Coalition’s goal of ensuring at least 10,000 nurses are on boards by 2020, and
raise awareness that boards can benefit from the unique perspective of nurses.

“A nurse perspective helps boards achieve their goal of improved health, as well as more efficient and effective healthcare systems at the local, state and national levels,” said Rita Wray, MBA, RN, BC, FAAN, Chamberlain Board of Trustees member. “Nurses represent one of the largest segments of our healthcare workforce and it simply makes good business sense to have the nursing perspective represented in all places where decisions affecting health are made.”

Chamberlain intends to expand upon its current board member roster of nurse leaders including:

  • Dawn Gubanc-Anderson, DNP, MSN, RN, NE-A, BC, FACHE, Chamberlain associate professor. Gubanc-Anderson was recently appointed as trustee for the Lake Health System Board of Trustees and is responsible for oversight of the organization’s quality and strategic initiatives, as well as contributing to the strategic planning committee of the board. She also serves on the advisory committee for the American Organization of Nurse Executives Education Board, which aims to review priorities and develop educational offerings.
  • Julie McAfooes, MS, RN-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, Chamberlain web development manager. McAfooes serves as a steering-committee member for the Ohio Action Coalition (OAC) on behalf of the Ohio League for Nursing, one of the leaders of the OAC. The OAC fulfills the mission of the national Future of
    Nursing: Campaign for Action through workgroups that mobilize nurses and consumers at the state level to promote academic progression, workforce data analysis, and leadership and inter-professional education.
  • Adele Webb, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, Chamberlain Cleveland campus president. Webb serves as a partner with the World Health Organization (WHO), focusing on its Non-Communicable Disease Initiative, and is committed to providing access to advanced education to Seychelles nurse educators. Additionally,
    Webb was recently elected as president-elect of the Greater Cleveland Nurses Association, part of the Ohio Nurses Association.

“The NOBC is pleased to partner with Chamberlain College of Nursing to extend our reach and provide support to nurses as they offer their expertise to relevant boards,” said Kimberly J. Harper, RN, MS, CEO, Indiana Center for Nursing, Nursing Lead, Indiana Action Coalition-National Future of Nursing Campaign for Action, NOBC National Co-Chair.

“Placing nurses on boards is essential to transform and improve care for all people, particularly with the healthcare system in transition,” said Marla Weston, PhD, RN, FAAN, CEO, American Nurses Association Enterprise and NOBC National Co-Chair.

Nurses on Boards Coalition