WVNA Leadership Change
Posted almost 6 years ago by Julie Huron
Dear WVNA Members,
On September 18, Laure Marino resigned the Presidency of the West Virginia Nurses Association, citing personal reasons and needing time to pursue other personal and professional goals. I know you all join me in thanking her for her service to the WVNA and wishing her success in her future endeavors.
My name is Joyce Wilson. I am a family nurse practitioner, and I live and work in Barbour County. I was previously the President-Elect of the WVNA, and I was recently installed to the Presidency by the Executive Board, upon receipt of President Marino’s resignation. I am humbled and honored to accept the Presidency of the WVNA and pray that I am worthy. I have heard it said that “attitude reflects leadership.” I believe in leading with a kind, caring, and healing heart.
The WVNA has a rich history of being a strong advocate for nurses and most of all for patients in the Mountain State. Mountain folks are unique. We can at the same time be fierce opponents, and we can also be neighbors that can be relied on. West Virginia nurses understands the unique diversity of the good people of WV. We also know how to win their trust, so that we can help lead them towards a healthier lifestyle.
WV nurses stand on the frontline of the battle with opioids. We know the people we are fighting for; they are family members, co-workers, faith community family, and neighbors. As with any organization, we are only as strong as our weakest link. As we work with the West Virginia legislature, bills will continue to come up attempting to address the drug crisis. We know that nurses need to have a seat at the table, to be a voice for the people of West Virginia as well as for ourselves. This is not about the President or the Board; it is about all of us working together to ensure that nurses’ voices are heard.
Thank you for all that you already do to make the West Virginia Nurses Association strong. I truly believe that every voice counts. I believe that open and honest debates will bring us knowledge, and I truly look forward to hearing from you and working with WVNA members. I am very open to your feedback, and my email is joycewilsonfnp@gmail.com.
Warm Regards,
President, West Virginia Nurses Association
Dear Fellow Members,
I want to advise you that, effective September 18, I resigned as President of the West Virginia Nurses Association. It has been an honor and pleasure to serve you, our valued members.
My decision to resign is deeply personal and is rooted in my core values. Each one of us is busy. We all wear multiple hats. Who knows this better than a nurse?! But stepping up to lead an association – or volunteering to run a project or serve on a committee – also comes with the expectation that one will carve out the time needed to get the work done. I found that, increasingly, I just couldn’t find that “sweet spot” – finding that delicate balance of time, to be the best leader you deserve and expect, while not neglecting other important obligations, to self, family, and work.
I’m very proud of the work accomplished over the past nine months. It’s been a gratifying and busy time. I’ve been lucky to travel the state, meeting the amazing nurses of West Virginia, and have thoroughly enjoyed being an ambassador for WVNA. I’ve been blessed to work with a passionate Board who are committed to serving members with integrity. We have worked well together to meet the mission of WVNA, that of being the voice for all nurses.
Several of my goals have been achieved. Our leadership team has been diversified in multiple ways, adding important perspectives, and giving expanded representation to our members. All of our committee chair positions are filled, and so are the 17 legislative leader positions. We will soon add an “early career” nurse to our Board, giving voice to the next generation of nurse clinicians. We are making great strides in modernizing policies and procedures to guide association work. Our bills are paid, we are diversifying income streams, and we have strengthened member services. It’s really been quite exciting and rewarding to be a part of such a highly productive team.
Looking forward, please join me in extending a warm welcome to Joyce Wilson. As President-Elect, and per Association bylaws, Joyce has assumed the office of President upon my resignation. Joyce has served WVNA in a variety of ways over many years. She has a deep appreciation for our history and a vision for our future that will make for a seamless transition in leadership. The future of WVNA is bright indeed!
And while I am exiting elected office in WVNA, I’m not leaving the association. My passion for our profession and the work of WVNA remains strong. I thank you for the opportunity to serve you and our professional association.
Best regards,
Laure Marino, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, GNP-BC