ANA-Illinois is pleased to announce the selections for the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Expert Panel.

The ANA-Illinois Board of Directors has chosen the following people to serve as the steering committee.

Carol Alexander DNP, APRN, ACNS/NP-BC – CAAN Academy of Nursing
Gloria Barrera MSN, RN, PEL-CSN – District 99
Tamera Bland EdD, MSN, RN – Dominican University
Simendea Clark DNP, RN – Chamberlain University – Chicago Campus
Christina Lattner DNP Ed., APRN, AGNP-C, ANP-BC – Chicago Family Health Center, DePaul University School of Nursing
Deena Nardi Ph.D., MA, MS, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN – Cathedral Counseling Center
Monique Reed Ph.D., RN – Rush University Medical Center College of Nursing

Additionally, 15 other individuals have been appointed to serve on the advisory group. The advisory group will help with workgroups, provide feedback on processes, and give input on the recommendations developed by the steering committee. The advisory group members include –

Berenice Arellano BSN, RNC-NIC – Advocate Aurora Illinois Masonic Medical Center
Danielle Babbington MSN, MPH, APRN, FNP-BC – Minute Clinic
Bettianne Casper MSN, RN, CNE – St. John’s College of Nursing
Janet Davis Ph.D., MSN, MBA, RN, CNE – Purdue University Northwest College of Nursing
Holly Farley EdD, RN – Eastern Illinois University
Angela Henderson Ph.D., MSN, MBA, RN – AMH Healthcare & Higher Education Consulting Group, LLC
Venus Howard BSN, RN – Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital
Diann Lee Martin Ph.D., RN – Northwestern College of Nursing
Richard Nwaorgu MSN, APRN, FNP-BC – John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County
Marcella Rosenberg MJ in Health Law & Policy, MSN, APRN, FNP – Total Nurses Network
Teresa Torres DNP, RN – Rush University Medical Center
Karen Walker MSN, RN – HCA
Nicole Williams MSN, RN – Emergency Nurses Association
Laurie Zack APRN, FNP-BC, LPC, CNE – Dominican University

As nurses, we have a professional responsibility to stand up to the racism and racial inequities woven throughout our society. The ANA-Illinois Board acknowledges that nurses must be agents for positive change that promotes a dignified quality of life for everyone. The Board of Directors understands the ongoing issues around diversity, equity, and inclusion require thoughtful well-informed action. The first step in this process will include the ANA-Illinois Listening Session on August 13th at 6 pm. The Board has requested that all members of the expert panel participate in the listening session.

This expert panel will explore issues and make recommendations to the Board on how ANA-Illinois can proactively address diversity, equity, and inclusion issues experienced by our patients and members of the nursing profession.  We received numerous applications which were reviewed based on the criteria in the original call for applications.  The expert panel will do a critical analysis of the topic and will be free to survey or involve other stakeholders to provide additional information, feedback, and advice to ANA-Illinois.

The work of this panel is scheduled to begin in September 2020.  Thank you to everyone who promoted this application opportunity.  The successful outcome and caliber of the applicants is a testament to your efforts.  We will certainly keep the nursing community apprised as this work moves forward.