The Wyoming Nurses Association (WNA) membership will elect the following leadership positions to serve on the WNA Board of Directors beginning October 2016 to serve until September 2018. Election results will be announced during the WNA Annual meeting on Friday, September 23, 2016 in Casper, Wyoming.
Ballots will be sent to all current members, as of August 15, 2016. Voting will close on Friday, September 16, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.
President-Elect Candidates
Christina Brewer, CMSRN, RN, MSN
Powell, Northwest Region
RN Coordinator, Nursing Instructor, Northwest College
WNA Involvement:Current President of Northwest Region
Other Organizations: Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses and the National League for Nursing.
Two main issues that should be a priority for the WNA are care access and nursing involvement/engagement. Care access remains an issue for our very unique Wyoming population. Nurses are in a great position to advocate for residents and can work with residents and lawmakers alike to determine what access in Wyoming should look like. Without nursing engagement, this demanding task may not be achieved at a State level, not to mention national effects.
Personal interest in the position of President-elect comes after serving as Northwest Region President and having the opportunity to attend the 2016 ANA Membership Assembly. As Regional President, for a newly developed region, it has been stimulating work to engage nurses over such a large geographical area. I look forward to assisting the Board in escalating the grassroots in our regions. At the ANA Membership Assembly, I observed the amazing power of the voice of the nurse, and was able to witness, first hand, how each States’ perspectives are heard and considered. Although we are “small”, Wyoming nurses play an essential role in the government of the ANA.
My goal is to contribute to the WNA in ways that share the voice of Wyoming residents regarding access to care needs, and to engage Wyoming nurses on a state and national level.
Kathryn M. Luzmoor, MS, RN, CNE
Green River, Southwest Region
Nursing Program Director, Western Wyoming Community College
WNA Involvement: Member since 1985; WNA Vice President 2003-2005 and 2008- 2013; President District #6 2003- 2004; Vice President District #6 2001-2003 and 2004-2013.
Other Organizations: NLNAC 2006-present; Wyoming Center for Nursing and Health Care Partnerships-RENEW Prof. Deb. Co-chair 2011-present; Hospice of Sweetwater County, numerous positions since 1983, currently on Quality committee; Wyoming Hospice Organization 1983-1988 (several years as president); Vice President of Sweetwater County Board of District Health; Chair Southwest Counselling Board of Directors
The Wyoming Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association are invaluable to nurses and the health and safety of the nation. From the days when the ANA fought for needle stick safety, back safety and now to addressing bullying in the workplace and nurse fatigue, the ANA gives nurses the evidence to improve their practice and advocate for themselves with their employers. I would like to serve as the President-Elect to increase the visibility of both the WNA and the ANA.
I am supportive of the WNA’s Strategic Plan with the goal of creating opportunities for Wyoming nurses to participate in professional growth through the provision of essential resources that energize, enable and strengthen the nursing experience and insight. Too often nurses feel like players in their positions vs. leaders. It is my goal to do what I can to give nurses their voice to improve their work environments for themselves and their patients. I want to see how nurses are reaching out to improve the health of WY and to do what I can to encourage and assist them.
I have a long history of service to the WNA and am eager to continue that service.
Treasurer Candidate
Barbara Jean James
Rawlins, Southeast Region
Educator, Carbon County Higher Education Center/Memorial Hospital Carbon County
WNA Involvement: Member since 2004; District #50 President
Other Organizations: National League of Nursing; President of Rawlins Soroptimist Club; Board member of Xi Kappa Sorority; Board member for American Diabetic Association; I served as District; Past Board member for Boys and Girls Club of Rawlins; Past Board member for Rawlins Downtown Development Authority
I believe the major issues for the Association is getting more nurse’s involved, communication and leadership. WNA mission “To promote the profession of nursing, provide unified voice for nurses and advocate for a healthier Wyoming.” I believe this statement starts with all of us and we need to increase the number of nurses involved with WNA, increase direct relationships with consumer’s, promote positive healthy behaviors, and listen to what the new generation is telling us.
I am running for the position of WNA Treasurer because I believe with my strong leadership skills, communication, and organizational skills gained through extra-curricular involvement. Balancing course work, clinical, and work requires commitment, time management and, at times, my well regarded sense of humor.
My goals are to help promote WNA, provide leadership, recruit and communicate our vision “Nurses united and caring for our profession.”