Michigan 2019 Annual Report

2019 ANNUAL BOOK OF REPORTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY
Katie Kessler MSN MSA RN – Chair
Members: Kristin Castine, Royal Oak
Nikeyia Davis, Romulus
Mindi Johnson, Lincoln Park
Cheryl LaPlaunt, Sault Ste. Marie
Nadine Wodwaski, Detroit
Amber Irrer, DeWitt
Barbara Medvec, Saline
Joshua Meringa, Grandville
The Nursing and Health Policy Committee is tasked with developing nursing and health policy
initiatives related to ANA-Michigan’s public policy agenda. The committee is comprised of nurses
from education and practice who are located across Michigan. The committee meets on the third
Monday of the month by phone from 7-8 pm. We have had excellent participation at our meetings
which is a testament to the members who often participate from their offices after working hours.
In 2019-20, the committee developed a process for identifying priorities for nursing and health policy.
We then developed a list of important topics and did a rank order process by email to identify the
major priorities. We follow the format of ANA position statements using an evidence base approach.
We identified violence in healthcare settings as a major priority and worked to develop a position
statement entitled Reducing Workplace Violence in Healthcare Settings. The statement was
submitted to the ANA MI Board and approved in October, 2019. This position statement can be found
on page 62. Building on this work, the Chair and members are also on the planning committee for a
conference on the Issue of Violence in Healthcare that is scheduled for August 6, 2020 in Livonia MI.
The committee is currently working on a position statement regarding Reducing Gun Violence from
a Public Health perspective using the same process.
One feature of this collaborative committee that has proven very valuable is the opportunity members
have to share and discuss issues from the perspective of their practice population and their location
around the state. We have representation from urban, suburban and rural areas and a variety of
practice specialties. This diversity has enabled the group to better understand specific issues and
how they impact nurses and patients in different ways. A portion of every meeting is used getting
updates and input on issues at the forefront of each member’s practice which has both informed our
work and enriched the committee experience.
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