Pro Statement by Julie Van-Lare, RN, BSW, BSN, MSN

It’s obvious that “in health care one size does not fit all. We are living in a very complex society and hoping to re-orient individuals towards a healthier lifestyle via grass root promotion is a subject that is empowering NNAUSA. As health care practioner we have come to accept that some people cannot achieve their fullest health potential without some assistance. The biggest part of it is awareness and personal commitment. Our mission therefore is to help individuals to focus on their health, we plan to inspire, support, and enhance community efforts towards health promotion and awareness for our people.

5 years old and we are still standing strong-It is a simple fact that most illnesses and even some death can be prevented or possibly curtailed if we as individual learn to clarify our lifestyle values.  Hey we all have heard a thing or two about exercising regularly, eating a well balance and nutritious meal, etc. NNAUSA has been extremely successful at educating the community about high risk behaviors because of the respect and trust the community has for NNAUSA out-reach programs. Our team of out reach workers has in the past-distributed educational literature, prevention materials, and provided referrals to a host of services to population targeted for intervention.

The responsibility for health promotion is definitely shared by all. We at NNAUSA are active in several activities in the community. Activities are already planned for this year including a family health day. The event will offer us the opportunity to provide clinical and curative information to help the public to learn more about the factors, which determines their health.

We at NNAUSA support our efforts through community partnership and private donation. We are recognized by the Internal Revenue Services as 501c) 3 non-profit organization and donation are tax-deductible. As always we at NNAUSA are willing to offer our resources and services freely in a spirit of goodwill and generosity. We are committed towards working with any organization, agency, or professional individual towards developing partnerships that hopefully will result in quality programming and dissemination of health information.

We at NNAUSA sincerely thank you for caring and for your personal contribution and commitment. We are happy to have you here and look forward to a long and productive relationship. We continue to make progress; the success of this organization is largely due to commitment of members. Thank you for being a part of our 2007 fundraising campaign. Together we are building a stronger and healthier community. NNAUSA is stronger than ever, transforming the dream of our current president Mrs. Grace Ogiehor-Enoma whom’s enthusiasm on April 2002 brought this organization to fruition and since then has been the backbone of our success. Grace we’ve done it! To the other members I thank you all for your continued commitment, for your courage to care and compassion to share. Your investment through NNAUSA has benefited more people than you can possibly imagine, even you. I just love NNAUSA and their commitment to making a difference in someone’s life.

Lastly but definitely not the least, members of NNAUSA wish to extend our sincere thanks to all Sponsors, Board Members and advisors, and ladies and gentlemen gracing this event. God bless you all and may you get to your destination safely.

Best Regards,

Julie Van-Lare, RN, BSW, BSN, MSN

PRO-Nigerian Nurses Association Of USA Inc. 4/2007

First of all, I would like to express my thanks to the members for electing me as your new Vice-President. I look forward to working with Ms.Taiwo Adeniji (new President), new  and returning cabinet members. I also would like to thank the out-going cabinet members for their dedicated service. You can rest assured in the fact that NNAUSA’s new leadership, just like the previous one is deeply committed in promoting and fostering this great organization/profession of ours.  A big thank to Ms Grace Oghiehor-Enoma for six years of leadership service to NNNAUSA. Truly we owed her a sincere debt of gratitude.

You might ask, what are the next steps for the organization, where do we want to be in the future? As with every organization, creating change in the procedures of a business, help promote a new way of looking at things. Taiwo and I had a long discussion and we both feel strongly that the process followed by the last administration overall was sound and not a reflection of a flawed process. This year we will strive for better communication between the members so that we are all in sync. Personally I have a few recommendations that I will like to bring forth for deliberation ( with the cabinet/members),in order to enhance the organization.

We need to promote professional development and social networking resources in order for others to reach us. For me our current website is redundant and is not meeting the needs of the organization. We need to increase communication. We need a significant web site, The current site is using a template system that is rigid and almost phasing out. We need one that has a progressive online application & content management system so that administrative personal will be allow to periodically update content and project scope. We need to blog. While at it, I will also recommended that we modify our current web-address, the name is too long, too long!!!!. Short and simple to promote easier logging. The current one is so hard to find, try it yourself.

NAUSA needs an official organization E-mail address with personalized extension for each  registered members. Each new member will be issued an official E-mail address alias like (JulieV@nnausa.org, Bose @nnausa.org. This will help promote transparency, and at this time authorized person would have network accessibility. We have reached the point of moving away from using our own personal E-mail address/s for organization communications.

NNAUSA’s Medical Mission – I am pleased that both Ms. Godgive Okolie and Ms. Juliet Ibogie are now assigned the responsibility of NNAUSA’s international community projects in Nigeria. Both have knowledge of the “how” and the “what” , in setting up medical mission. I ‘m certain that with both this fine ladies on board we will overcame the difficulties in planning and executing a successful medical mission.

FUND-RAISING: Please lets consider employing the services of a professional fundraising consultants and grant proposal writers to help us raise fund. Fundraising consultant are expert in soliciting for fund. Remember to get ahead we need to promote our organization. The internet has open a new frontier for fundraising opportunity-lets go get our money.

That is all for now, just my two cents. Thank you so much for giving so selflessly of your time as we began a new year .Thank you once more for your servant’s hearts.

“Nurses dedicated to promoting health in their community”
P.O. Box 260008 Bellerose,NY 11426
Tel: 718 862-2545 Website:NNAUSA.org

Julie N. Van-Lare,RN, MSN-2009

I’m hopeful

Chairman Sir, NNAUSA Board of Advisors, Distinguished friends of NNAUSA, ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure I welcome you to this significant milestone in our history. It is five years since we started our journey of promoting health and making a difference in our community. Although, still a very young organization, NNAUSA has reached out to so many organizations in the communities; many Associations, churches and organizations have benefited from our health outreach and health seminar programs (please visit our website for our community activities). We have also received 5 community service awards from the following organizations in the community for promoting health and making a difference in the community – The Nigerian- American Community Association (U.S.A), Eko Club International, New York, Regina Askia Promotion, African Events, and Organization for the advancement of Nigeria (sponsor of the Nigerian Independence Day Parade).

For five years, NNAUSA members have graciously promoted health in the community reaching both the young and the old. None of our accomplishments would have been possible without the unwavering dedication, courage, commitment, selflessness and as always, passion of our members. Community service has become “who we are.”   Because of it, we as nurses now stand taller – individually, collectively and professionally for the cause we believe in.

We are here today to celebrate our achievements and to express our appreciations to our supporters and mentors for their support and believing in our endless services to humanity. To expand our programs, we are sponsoring a free preventive screening health center for the uninsured/underinsured African Immigrant in New York City. The African immigrants are a hard to reach population, and they face enormous barriers to health care due to unfamiliarity with the concept of regular health care, uninsured status, health beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and lack of knowledge in accessing public health systems and for out of fears. Having a free preventive screening health center would help fill this gap in a creative way and add more preventive screening tests to our existing programs.

To raise funds for this initiative, NNAUSA would like your support tonight by donating generously and adopting part of the initiative – the center, equipments, office supplies e.t.c. With your support, NNAUSA can say with pride that we are on the continuous journey of health promotion in the community and saving lives through preventive screening.

As we enter our 6^th year in our health promotion efforts, we move forward with new strength and renewed passion; and continue to be a leader in taking health information to our people where ever they are. I invite you to experience our pride tonight.

Thank You

Great Nurses! Great! Excellent Nurses! Excellent!

Grace Ogiehor-Enoma, RN, MSN, MPH, CNA, BC,

President, NNAUSA-4/2007

President’s Message.

It is my delight and pleasure to welcome you to the website of the Nigerian Nurses Association of USA [NNAUSA]. The Association is a 501 [c] 3 registered non-profit organization formed in 2002, to serve all licensed professional nurses of Nigerian origin and heritage resident in the United States. It is based in New York City and its membership is made up of Registered Nurses, with license to practice in the United States.

NNAUSA is an Association with a unique mission, goals and objectives. Its primary mission is to improve the health of Nigerians and their communities by: (a) promoting proper health conduct, increasing health literacy and providing free health screening to the Nigerian and other communities in the United States; and (b) encouraging and assisting its members to attain the highest professional standard and seek greatest height through education and mentoring.

As enunciated in its Constitution, the goals and objectives of NNAUSA are to: assist the Nigerian community in making healthy lifestyle changes necessary by providing information needed to make informed decisions; promote health maintenance and well being among Nigerians and other communities in the United States and in Nigeria; secure funding through fund raising, donations and grants to support NNAUSA programs; foster educational and professional growth among Nigerian nurses living in the USA and in Nigeria through networking and mentoring;  assist newly migrated Nigerian nurses and Nigerian nursing students to adapt to nursing profession in the United States; unite all Nigerian Nurses in the United States towards promoting the highest standards of professional practice, educational, cultural advancement and socio-economic stability; provide forum or avenue where Nigerian Nurses in United States speak with one voice and uphold the international code of nursing ethics; promote and  support the laws or reforms on matters affecting nursing; and collaborate with other organizations in addressing current issues of health care in Nigeria such as, but not limited to HIV/AIDS, Genital Mutilation, Communicable Diseases, Mental Health, Women’s and Children’s Health, Gerontological Health, and Rural Health.

Therefore, our vision is for the Association to be at the forefront of health promotion by serving the healthcare needs of the Nigerian communities in the United States and Nigeria, and upholding the proper image while fostering the welfare of Nigerian nurses as a professional group.

To date, the Association has assisted underprivileged, poor, uninsured citizens and immigrants with preventive health screenings like mammograms and HIV Test; educated Nigerian communities of the ways to prevent major medical problems associated with Maternal and Child Health, Hypertension, Diabetes, Stroke, various types of cancer, HIV/AIDS and many other disease conditions; provided counseling on ways to prevent and or stop the abuse of children, women and the elderly in our communities; provided much-needed medical equipment and supplies to hospitals and clinics in Nigeria; explained the havocs inherent in the abuse of drugs, including illicit drugs, to the community, especially the youth, and referred the addicted to community resources available to assist in their rehabilitation.

I am proud to inform the reader that our Association has undertaken several preventive health education fairs in the New York Metropolis and surrounding states and provided free First-Aid, Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar screenings at various functions and events organized by organizations in the Nigerian community. Such activities have earned the Association for community service awards in six of its first seven years of existence.

As professional nurses from a country that is rich in traditions that emphasize high moral values, and a display of our cultural heritage, we are united, regardless of our state of origin, age, gender, or language, in a common goal mandated by the ethics and oath of our calling. Towards this end, NNAUSA utilizes all available resources at the local, national and international levels to enhance its professional standing and to achieve acceptance and recognition among other associations like American Nurses Association (ANA), National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurses Associations (NCEMNA), and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives [NANNM], to name a few. NNAUSA is a proud member of the United Nations Global Compact and is deeply committed to its ten principles and the accomplishment of the UN Millennium Development Goals

The success of an association depends on the unity, dedication, and commitment of its members. Equally important is the number of members an association has since member strength can be a vehicle for bringing important issues to the forefront of public opinion. I am proud of the membership of the Association and wish to register my thanks and appreciations for their decision to entrust its leadership into my care. To Nigerian nurses out there who are yet to become members, I extend our Association’s invitation for their membership. Let us, together look forward to the Association’s continued successes in all of its endeavors

Let me conclude this short message by pointing out our organization’s needs for the successful implementation of its mission. A lot of Nigerians in the United States either do not have or cannot afford medical insurance. Also, so many of our people back home do not have access to essential healthcare services. They are, mainly, poor, disabled, women, children, and unemployed. They depend on organizations like ours, the NNAUSA, for their healthcare needs. Consequently, I wish to use this medium to strongly appeal to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, churches, organizations and individuals for assistance in securing the resources we need. Our needs include the following:

.Office Space

◦Warehouse space

◦Financial Support

◦Medical and Dental Equipments and Supplies such as: -

Needles, Syringes

Beds

Blankets

Mammogram Machines

Portable X-ray Machines

Bandages and Gauzes

Wheelchair

Canes and Walkers

Blood pressure and Blood Sugar Screening Tools

Nebulizer equipment

Incentive Spiro meter

Pulse Oximeter Equipment

Medications such as antibiotics, anti-hypertensives, anti-cholesterols, Pain and fever Relievers, anti-malarial, medications against river blindness and HIV-AIDS.

No contribution is too small. Your donation of a dollar will go a long way in supporting our efforts. We cannot do everything, but with your kind support, we can impact the lives of thousands, and we are counting on you.

Inquiries, comments or donations should be made payable to “NNAUSA” and sent to the headquarters at: Nigerian Nurses Association of USA, P. O. Box 260008, Bellerose, NY 11426.  Our telephone number is: [718] 862-2545.  You can send your e-mail to …

Thank you for visiting our site.

Taiwo Adeniji, RN-BC, MSN, ANP

President

It’s obvious that “in health care one size does not fit all. We are living in a very complex society and hoping to re-orient individuals towards a healthier lifestyle via grass root promotion is a subject that is empowering NNAUSA. As health care practioner we have come to accept that some people cannot achieve their fullest health potential without some assistance. The biggest part of it is awareness and personal commitment. Our mission therefore is to help individuals to focus on their health, we plan to inspire, support, and enhance community efforts towards health promotion and awareness for our people.

5 years old and we are still standing strong-It is a simple fact that most illnesses and even some death can be prevented or possibly curtailed if we as individual learn to clarify our lifestyle values.  Hey we all have heard a thing or two about exercising regularly, eating a well balance and nutritious meal, etc. NNAUSA has been extremely successful at educating the community about high risk behaviors because of the respect and trust the community has for NNAUSA out-reach programs. Our team of out reach workers has in the past-distributed educational literature, prevention materials, and provided referrals to a host of services to population targeted for intervention.

The responsibility for health promotion is definitely shared by all. We at NNAUSA are active in several activities in the community. Activities are already planned for this year including a family health day. The event will offer us the opportunity to provide clinical and curative information to help the public to learn more about the factors, which determines their health.

We at NNAUSA support our efforts through community partnership and private donation. We are recognized by the Internal Revenue Services as 501c) 3 non-profit organization and donation are tax-deductible. As always we at NNAUSA are willing to offer our resources and services freely in a spirit of goodwill and generosity. We are committed towards working with any organization, agency, or professional individual towards developing partnerships that hopefully will result in quality programming and dissemination of health information.

We at NNAUSA sincerely thank you for caring and for your personal contribution and commitment. We are happy to have you here and look forward to a long and productive relationship. We continue to make progress; the success of this organization is largely due to commitment of members. Thank you for being a part of our 2007 fundraising campaign. Together we are building a stronger and healthier community. NNAUSA is stronger than ever, transforming the dream of our current president Mrs. Grace Ogiehor-Enoma whom’s enthusiasm on April 2002 brought this organization to fruition and since then has been the backbone of our success. Grace we’ve done it! To the other members I thank you all for your continued commitment, for your courage to care and compassion to share. Your investment through NNAUSA has benefited more people than you can possibly imagine, even you. I just love NNAUSA and their commitment to making a difference in someone’s life.

Lastly but definitely not the least, members of NNAUSA wish to extend our sincere thanks to all Sponsors, Board Members and advisors, and ladies and gentlemen gracing this event. God bless you all and may you get to your destination safely.

Best Regards,

Julie Van-Lare, RN, BSW, BSN, MSN

PRO-Nigerian Nurses Association Of USA Inc. 4/2007

by Ms. Sandra Anyoha, RN, MSN, MPH

No one deserves to be abused. Nigerian Nurses are committed to stopping abuse and violence through identification, education and awareness training. Programs will be developed for members and the community at large. No longer should victims keep secrets.  Secrets can kill.

See below for an official statement from NANNNA.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: A CALL FOR ACTION IN THE NIGERIAN COMMUNITIES IN AMERICA: OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN NURSES OF NORTH AMERICA (NANNNA)

10/01/08

The recent sad cases of domestic violence victims that ended in deaths in the Nigerian Communities in America has prompted the need for effective programs and strategic collaborations to prevent this epidemics that is burning through our community.

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses of North America (NANNNA) (An organization representing all Nigerian Nurses Association in USA and Canada) is strongly against domestic violence and will go to any length to address this situation.

Domestic violence is a serious problem around the world. Domestic Violence is a pattern of physical and psychological abuse, threats, intimidation, isolation or economic coercion used by one person to exert power and control of a dating, family or household relationship. Many people view domestic violence as exclusively part of certain ethnic or racial communities, or as unique to certain classes, within their societies. Research shows domestic violence occurs in all social, economic, religious and cultural groups. Domestic violence encompasses partner violence, family violence, spouse abuse, child abuse, battering, exploitation and wife beating. A culture of silence reinforces the stigma attached to the victim rather than condemning the perpetrator of such crimes. Ending domestic violence requires changing attitudes that permit such abuse. As such, NANNNA is proposing various programs that will help prevent domestic violence and help those that are already in a domestic violence situation.
Domestic violence violates the fundamental human rights of women and men and often results in serious injury or death.

Domestic violence affects women’s well-being and the health, nutrition and education of children who experience it and children who witness it. In the context of gender inequality, women’s response to abuse reflects their relatively fewer options to change or leave the relationship and their assessment of how best to protect themselves and their children. Ending domestic violence requires changing attitudes that permit such abuse.

In Nigeria, men are unquestionably the head of the household. They provide for the financial needs of the family, while women take care of the home and children with help from a nanny and a maid. In the United States of America, the culture is different in that men and women can be equal partners in a marriage regardless of who the financial breadwinner is. Economic stress is a f actor that can lead to marriage strain. It is imperative that partners in a marriage have resources that enable them to deal with stress. Moving to a new country is big stress on its own. Also social alienation can lead to depression if it persists for a long time. Joining a social organization, attending a worship center are ways to integrate into the system.

Strategies for the Future

The NANNNA recognizes that others have voiced concerns about DOMESTIC VIOLENCE in our community and that many organizations have identified gaps, made recommendations and implemented strategies to address domestic violence issues. Many of these recommendations are relevant today.

However, in order to encourage strategies and programs appropriate to the Nigerian community, Nigerian organizations (professional and social), churches, mosques, public, Nigerian Consulates, policy makers must engage in ongoing long-term planning and programs. Without measures to reverse the trends discussed above, the Nigerian community is in danger r of experiencing more deaths from domestic violence. Therefore, the following recommendations are made to address a number of concerns.

Education and awareness

• Educating the Nigerian community about “God first, family second, and career, third…” mind set.
• Educational program for Nigerian men married to nurses and for nurses themselves
• Educational programs for Nigerian youths on building self esteem
• Using as many Nigerian news media to denounce domestic violence, provide statistics, and possible preventive measures
• Provide information on available resources that could help members of the Nigerian community
• Reach out to youth (ages 12 to 18) through youth organizations, schools and other outlets to promote love, respect, and self confidence

Community activities

• Implement specific strategies to reach out to Nigerian community organizations, such as:
  • Introduce collaborative programs among Nigerian organizations
  • Rewarding experienced families for serving as mentors for new married couples
  • Develop and implement Family programs for Nigerian communities
• Create a partnership environment that advances culture of respect, love, togetherness and support:
  • Establish elders council that include all Nigerian Organizations
  • Establish and staff a Nigerian Community Resource Center
  • Provide a forum for Nigerians to meet and discuss issues affecting the Nigerian community
  • Build support system for social and financial empowerment

Legislation and Regulation

• Advocate for better identification or recognition of Nigerian community and other support systems for Nigerian community.
• Provide education on regulations and laws about domestic violence

Technology, Research and Data Collection

• Promote consistent data collection at the national, state and local level to account for variations at each level to enable appropriate planning and implementation of programs.

For more information, contact:

Ms. Sandra Anyoha, RN, MSN, MPH,

General Secretary,

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses of North America (NANNNA)

Tel: 203-521-5434(cell)

E-mail: sanyoha@sbcglobal.net