First, Happy Nurse’s and Health Care Week! Whether you’re a nurse or nurse supporter, we’re all stakeholders in nursing, and it truly takes us ALL. After a quick first week on the job, I feel inspired and energized about nursing’s impact on the future of health care!

What I’ve humbly gathered in my first days serving as your President is the rich legacy, supportive culture, and opportunity to innovate– that’s set the foundation for our Path to Distinction.

Few words can describe the devastation experienced by the violence that spanned all parts of our metro St. Louis area this weekend. Additionally, in Buffalo, New York, this past Saturday, we tragically lost ten human beings.  

I am deeply saddened and troubled by racially motivated acts of violence and recognize the effect this news has on our students—particularly our students of color. No one should have to live in fear that they will be violently targeted when conducting daily activities.