INCOMING PRESIDENT MICHELLE WEBB, DNP, BRINGS DIVERSITY AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
In 2021, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) inducted Michelle Webb, DNP, RN, BC-CHPCA, as president-elect of HPNA and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF). "Although I may be the first person of color serving as president for the HPNA and HPNF Board of Directors, I am confident that I will not be the last. The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association has a clear path to ensuring that its membership reflects the growing diversity in the specialty, the nursing profession, and the patients and families we serve," she said.
Webb is a clinical assistant professor at the Duke University School of Nursing and a certified hospice and palliative care administrator. Her education includes degrees from Indiana University (bachelor of science in nursing), George Washington University (master of science in nursing), and the University of Minnesota (doctor of nursing practice). Before her role at Duke, she served as chief nursing officer and chief learning officer at Teleios Collaborative Network in North Carolina. Prior to Teleios, Webb held leadership positions at Four Seasons Compassion for Life, a hospice and palliative care provider serving counties in rural western North Carolina.
Webb remarked, "HPNA has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our strategic plan includes initiatives to equip professionals with the resources they need to better serve the diverse population of individuals who need excellent care for serious illness. I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to be a part of providing the leadership needed to ensure HPNA achieves its diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging goals."
Webb is an experienced nurse educator and clinical and executive leader with experience in behavioral health, home health, and acute care. She is committed to advancing excellence in professional nursing practice and interprofessional collaborative practice. When her term as president begins in January 2023, Webb will be the first person of color serving both organizations as president.
Holli Martinez, MSN, FNP-BC, ACHPN, FPCN, immediate past president in the role that Webb will assume, stated, "HPNA is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Webb's impressive accomplishments and leadership acumen will serve our membership with the highest level of professionalism and advocacy."
NEW CREDENTIAL FOR SOCIAL WORK AT HPCC
The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) and the Advanced Palliative and Hospice Social Work Certification (APHSW-C) Board of Directors are excited to announce the transition of the APHSW-C credential to HPCC's suite of interdisciplinary hospice and palliative care certification programs. Current and future APHSW-C certificants will benefit from HPCC's 30 years of experience managing certification programs, as well as its expansive technologies and services, which ensure a user-friendly certification experience.
"Because hospice and palliative care are interprofessional and team-based, it only makes sense that the professions should join in their efforts to develop and maintain certification of the involved specialties," said Barbara Head, PhD, CHPN, ACSW, FPCN, APHSW-C, a member of the APHSW-C Board of Directors. "I am excited about the synergy that will result when we join forces in this important endeavor."
The APHSW-C certification recognizes bachelor's- and master's-level social workers with hospice and palliative care experience, specialized skills, and competency who practice in clinical and academic settings in the United States or Canada. The first APHSW-C examination was administered in 2019. Since then, 775 individuals have earned the certification. HPCC Director of Credentialing Annette M. Parry Bush, MBA, BSN, RN, OCN, ICE-CCP, promises HPCC's support for both APHSW-C current certificants and incoming candidates in the years to come.
MAKE THE HPNF MISSION A REALITY-GIVE BACK TO THE PROFESSION
HPNF has been a catalyst of education, innovation, and professional development for nurses since 1998. Donations at every level enable the nonprofit organization to provide grants and scholarships, support initiatives and research that strengthen our communities, and advance our profession.
In the past year, HPNF recognized 30 new Emerging Leaders, awarded more than 50 scholarships and grants, provided free "Dealing with Grief" resources, supported the "HPNA Year of Leadership" initiatives, and solidified funding for the new APRN POLARIS educational modules.
Donations from our individual members help our mission become a reality. Although grants from our philanthropic partners in the foundation community are important to the success of HPNF, gifts from individual nurses make up approximately 25% of all donations. These funds are essential for general operations and are the most productive way to support HPNF where it is needed most.
Consider giving when you renew your HPNA membership or purchase a new resource from the HPNA Store. Remember a loved one with a memorial donation, or celebrate the anniversary of your HPNA chapter with an annual contribution. Learn more about ways to donate to HPNF by visiting our website at http://www.hpnf.org or emailing mailto:[email protected].