The West Virginia Nurses Association Announces Historic Election of First Male and First African-American President
Posted 6 months ago
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The West Virginia Nurses Association Announces Historic Election of First Male and First African-American President.
Charleston, WV, November 3, 2023 — Established in 1933, the West Virginia Nurses Association (WVNA) is the only full-service professional association that represents the state’s entire nursing population. WVNA, committed to promoting diversity and equality, is thrilled to announce Donte Newsom, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, as the first male and the first African American President of the organization. This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant milestone in WVNA’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Dr. Newsom brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role. With an extensive background in nursing and in human rights, Newsom has demonstrated exceptional skills, unwavering determination, and a passion for driving positive change. His election to this board position reflects WVNA’s dedication to recognizing talent, promoting diversity, and embracing opportunities.
Speaking on this momentous occasion, Joyce Wilson, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, WVNA’s outgoing President, expressed her excitement and pride in welcoming Dr. Newsom as the organization’s new President. Wilson highlighted Newsom’s exceptional qualifications, visionary mindset, and commitment to advancing the organization’s mission of “Leading quality healthcare in West Virginia with a vision of empowering all nurses in West Virginia to leverage the transformation of healthcare by advocacy, quality, and collaboration.”
In accepting the position, Dr. Newsom expressed his gratitude and acknowledged the significance of this milestone in breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations. Newsom emphasized his commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment within the organization and beyond, while championing the voices and aspirations of nurses from all walks of life. Dr. Newsom is a family nurse practitioner working in interventional radiology at Allegany Imaging, PC, and UPMC Western Maryland. A leader in human and civil rights in West Virginia, Dr. Newsom pursued his Doctor of Nursing Practice with the goal of opening pathways to improve nursing and health care practice. Newsom aspires to influence practice change and shape how care is delivered in the future.
Donte currently serves as a board member with Fairness West Virginia, the statewide human/civil rights organization devoted to equal rights for all LGBTQ+ West Virginians. He also serves as a medical officer for Mountaineer Boys State, as a board member for The Connecting Link, and serves on the WVNA Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEI).
WVNA CEO Julie Huron shared “we are confident that Dr. Newsom’s leadership will propel the organization to new heights, furthering his impact in West Virginia and the beyond”. “We are confident that his leadership as the first male and first African American President of the West Virginia Nurses Association will inspire and empower nurses of all backgrounds to pursue an active role in nursing board leadership and contribute to WVNA, the only nursing organization that represents all nurses in the state of West Virginia.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Newsom on his presidency and in supporting WVNA’s continued commitment to diversity, equality, and progress.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Julie Huron, BSH, LNHA
CEO
866 986-8773 or 866 WVNurse