Letter from the Region 4 President
Welcome to the NJSNA Region 4 Microsite. Region 4 is comprised of Mercer, Bucks, Hunterdon, Somerset, and Middlesex counties. The Region 4 Board and its members have developed and maintained this site as a way to gather information about nursing and to showcase the great work that nurses in Region 4 are doing.
I am excited to begin my role as President of Region 4 and look forward to working with all the talented nurses in our region. I would also like to extend congratulations to our new board members: Donna Penn as President-Elect, Maureen Clark-Gallagher as Past President, Hilda Aluko as Treasurer, Bernadette Alexander as VP Membership, Nowai Brapoh as VP Education, Nora Krick as Member-at-Large for Hunterdon, and Megan Chan as Member-at-Large for Somerset.
I want to express my gratitude to Maureen Clark-Gallagher and Beth Knox for volunteering their time during 2023. Maureen graciously accepted the responsibilities of Acting President and led the board throughout the year. Beth Knox resumed the position of President-Elect for 2023 and did an excellent job maintaining that role and putting together an amazing annual in-person meeting and educational event. Thank you, Maureen and Beth, for your hard work for Region 4.
In 2024, NJSNA Region 4 will continue to hold monthly meetings and educational events, which are open to nurses throughout our region. Virtual meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7 pm. We will also have in-person meetings starting in the spring – more to come on that. If you are interested in participating, please email njsnaregion444@gmail.com to receive a Zoom link for the meeting.
The Region 4 Board is committed to supporting all nurses in our community. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay updated on our latest news.
Ginnette Watkins-Keller DNP, RN, OCN, NEA-BC
President, Region 4
New Jersey State Nurses Association
A previously recorded session is available on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/dSsCqMfyH-k.
Reclaiming Your Happiness Without Changing Your Job: 5 Steps for Nurses was presented by Megan Filoramo, MSN, APN-C Nurse Coach and Region 4 Member on Thursday, May 12.
Here is the link to the presentation. Please take the time to view this wonderful presentation
https://drive.google.com/file/d/110jPaTvL9y8PebbgZpgI7MTwZMZXeV3e/view
You can access Megan’s site at Nursing Beyond the Job, LLC
Our annual meeting was held virtually on November 10, 2022 from 6:30-9:30 pm. We had 23 attendees from several NJSNA regions, students, and mentors from Thomas Edison State University. In addition to the informational annual meeting, an education program was held.
Speakers were Dawn Alerassool, DNP, RN, CNE Assistant Dean Undergraduate Nursing Programs, Thomas Edison State University School of Nursing & Health Professions and Cornelia Gilpin, DNP, RN, NEA-BC Director, Professional Practice, Englewood Hospital. Dr. Nowai L. Brapoh moderated the program entitled “What’s Next with the NCLEX: Implications for Education and Practice”. One contact hour was awarded to each participant who attended the presentation.
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On April 7, 2022, three Region 4 members were honored as at the Institute for Nursing’s annual Diva and Dons Gala. Our congratulations to Linda Carroll (Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at St. Peter’s Healthcare System), Avril Keldo (Director, Professional Practice Saint Peter’s University Hospital), and Amita Avadhani (Associate Professor, Rutgers University , Newark).
https://njsna.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/invitation-2022-fillable-sold.pdf
Dr. Ana Mar
ia Catanzaro, Region 4 member and Associate Dean of the Thomas Edison State (TESU) W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions, was honored with the TESU Presidential Award for Distinguished Service for her contributions to the University to advance its mission and strategic plan and for her ongoing service to the local community by organizing TESU students and staff to help vaccinate more than 11,000 Trenton residents against COVID-19.
Week one is Self care: This week is dedicated to cultivating and maintaining optimal mental health and physical well being.
Please read Megan Filoramo’s informative and concise article on article on self care
https://njsna.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/week-1-self-care-megan-filoramo-1.pdf
Week 2 Focuses on Recognition. We honor the work of nurses who lead, excel, and innovate, not only in our health care systems but also in our communities which makes them vital to transforming the future of health care.
Please read Kari Mastro’s inspirational essay titled You Make A Difference.
week-2-recognition-kari-mastro
Week 3 Focuses on Professional Development. Per the ANA, “Access resources and insights to guide you in your professional development. Focus on how you can excel and lead in your nursing career or inspire and help others in their professional nursing journey.”
Please read Region 4 VP of Education Nowai L. Keleekai-Brapoh’s inspirational essay titled Professional Development: Education…and then Some!
week-3-of-nurses-month-professional-development
Week 4 focuses on engaging with your community whether virtually or in-person. Per the ANA, “Educate members of your community on what nurses do beyond the bedside — advocacy, shaping public policy, or serving as organizational board members, among other duties. Encourage them to support current and future nurses.”
Please read Region 4’s Member at Large for Middlesex County Marge Drozd’s inspirational essay on this subject week-4-community-engagement-marge-drozd
Check-out the editions of the Region 4 past newsletters.
2023-jan-feb-region-4-newsletter
Ginnette Watkins-Keller, President
Maureen Clark-Gallagher, Past President
Donna Penn, President Elect
Hilda Aluko, Treasurer
Daniel R. Marino, Secretary
Bernadette Alexander, VP Membership
Vacant, VP Communications
Tracy Vitale, VP Policy & Practice
Chantel Hale, VP Nominations & Elections
Nowai Keleekai-Brapoh, VP Education
Nora Krick, Member-at-Large Hunterdon
Florence Hibare , Member-at-Large Mercer and Bucks County PA
Margaret Drozd, Member-at-Large Middlesex
Megan Chan, Member-at-Large Somerset
