06/08/2020
For our members that do that receive emails from the AHNA, we wanted to share the following Statement and action steps being planned by AHNA regarding Racism and Racial Inequality, as well as a link to a virtual zoom townhall meeting this Friday, June 12th.
Dear AHNA Members & AHNCC Certificants:
The Presidents of AHNA and AHNCC have participated in dialogue towards the issuing of a statement about racism and discrimination on behalf of holistic nursing and today the below statement was issued to the press, and shared with other national nursing organizations. This was accomplished after meeting with more than 45 elected and appointed holistic nurses last Thursday by Zoom and listening to their ideas on a course of action to pursue and what needed to be included in a strong statement condemning racism and embracing diversity:
June 8, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
AHNA Releases Position Statement on Racism and Racial Inequality
The members of AHNA wish to show our solidarity with those who are courageously condemning racism and discrimination. The membership grieves with those who have suffered the violence and even murder as a result entrenched in social misunderstanding, hatred and fear.
Our hearts are with the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and countless others.
We hear the voices of those who have lost family and loved ones to this systemic racism, and recognize their emotional, spiritual, physical and mental suffering. We, the members of AHNA, abhor the systemic racism which fosters cycles of fear, violence, abuses of power, discrimination, poverty and health care disparities.
“It is imperative this country and the world eliminates its lack of compassion, transforms its attitudes and behavior and ultimately heals this pervasive injustice. Holistic nurses embrace and celebrate diversity; therefore, we are using our voices to call out racism and recognize that, going forward, we can and must heal by embracing our common humanity and interconnectedness,” said Barry Gallison, DNP, MS, APRN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, AHN-BC, AHNA President.
Nurses practice within a framework of compassion which embraces the inherent dignity, worth and uniqueness of every individual, and we know our profession must do all we can to improve racial disparity in health outcomes. With this purpose, AHNA commits to immediate action and dialogue, reaching out to other nursing specialties to co-create strategies to increase diversity within nursing, create a culture of justice and equality, and deliver compassionate and effective healthcare services to those entrusted to our care.
AHNA and AHNCC are committed to doing more than issuing a statement, and our follow-up action includes:
Making resources available that assist holistic nurses in recognizing prejudicial behaviors, bias and racism so that it is recognized and addressed, especially within healthcare.
Reaching out to other specialty nursing organizations to co-create strategies to address diversity within the nursing profession.
Offering CNE’s that will provide a better understanding of racism, social justice and social determinants that impact society, health and healthcare.
Continuing to receive recommendations and ideas for reducing racism from holistic nurses, please send your thoughts, ideas, stories and recommendations to [email protected] with the SUBJ: Racism. These will be shared with the AHNA and AHNCC Boards.
Wanting to continue the dialogue with you our members and the holistic nursing certificants about racism and discrimination, we have scheduled two Town Hall Zoom meetings:
Virtual Town Hall Zoom Call Friday, June 12 at
1 PM EST, Noon CST, 11 AM MST, 10 AM PST
with the following link or call in number:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93561053588
Meeting ID: 935 6105 3588
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,93561053588 # US (Houston)
+16699006833,,93561053588 # US (San Jose)
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
Meeting ID: 935 6105 3588
Virtual Town Hall Zoom Call Tuesday, June 16th at
6 PM EST, 5 PM CST, 4 PM MST, 3 PM PST
with the following link or call in number:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97670964291
Meeting ID: 976 7096 4291
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,97670964291 # US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,97670964291 # US (Houston)
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 976 7096 4291
Thank you for your commitment to holistic nursing and our core values.
Sincerely,
Barry Gallison DNP, MS, APRN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, AHN-BC
AHNA President
AHNA Position Statement on Racism and Discrimination https://bit.ly/3h8YGI3
