Each week a quote is shared for your consideration. Some quotes might offer comfort, hope, a challenge, a chuckle, or inspiration. You may or may not agree with the quote, but it is offered simply to help you reflect and ponder.
Love is the only gold.
- Alfred Lord Tennyson
The MFP is an initiative staffed by ANA with funding from SAMHSA, making fellowships available to ethnic and racial psychiatric nursing students who are enrolled full time in an accredited master’s/doctoral nursing program.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
This week’s recommended Health and Wellness Activity
MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, AND NURSING ARTICLES
A Tribute: Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, FAAN, 1948 – 2025 (opens new window)
Longtime, Former Chief Nursing Officer Guided Cedars-Sinai Nursing to National Distinction; Advanced Healthcare and Nursing Profession. For more than half a century, Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, FAAN, elevated the role of nursing at Cedars-Sinai and across the country—inspiring a generation of nurses while shaping healthcare policy and advocating for greater equity among the ranks of medical professionals—all with the goal of improving care for patients. Read more (opens new window)
First Black woman to serve in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps after desegregation dies (opens new window)
Nancy Leftenant-Colon, the first Black woman to serve in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps when it was desegregated after World War II and the sister of one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen pilots, died Jan. 8 in Amityville, N.Y. She was 104. Leftenant-Colon died peacefully at Massapequa Center Rehabilitation and Nursing in Amityville, where she had lived for the past year, a nephew, Chris Leftenant, told NPR. Read more (opens new window)
Stimulant Users Are Caught in Fatal 'Fourth Wave' of Opioid Epidemic (opens new window)
In Pawtucket, Rhode Island, near a storefront advertising "free" cellphones, J.R. sat in an empty back stairwell and showed a reporter how he tries to avoid overdosing when he smokes crack cocaine. KFF Health News is identifying him by his initials because he fears being arrested for using illegal drugs. It had been several hours since his last hit, and the chatty, middle-age man's hands moved quickly. In one hand, he held a glass pipe. In the other, a lentil-size crumb of cocaine. Read more (opens new window)
Poor Mental Health Rising; Eating Disorder Uncertainties; Dementia Life Expectancy (opens new window)
Three U.S. health surveys indicated increasing prevalence of poor mental health from 2011 to 2022. (JAMA Network Open). The FDA is reviewing whether investigational suzetrigine -- billed as a nonaddictive opioid alternative -- should be approved for acute pain. (Washington Post). Ketamine use prevalence increased 82% from 2015 to 2019 and by 40% from 2021 to 2022, according to National Survey on Drug Use and Health data. (Journal of Affective Disorders). Read more (opens new window)
MFP/ANA ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
We acknowledge the passing of Linda Burns-Bolton, former President, National Black Nurses Association, among other accomplishments, including Friend of the MFP.
Read more (opens new window)The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) launched the California Child and Adolescent Mental Health Access Portal (Cal-MAP) to support access to robust youth mental health care. This free phone- and web-based portal, created in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and made possible through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), gives primary care providers, pediatricians, and other outpatient physicians immediate access to consultations, resources, and training to better address mental health needs in their youth and young adult patients ages 0-25, regardless of the patient's insurance status.
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Gear up for the 2025 TTP Symposium™ with our exclusive pre-conference workshops on May 28! Dive into personal and professional growth, DEI integration, accreditation insights, and outcome-based CE. Separate registration required—don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and lead.
Apply Now (opens new window)
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The 18th Health Disparities Conference, hosted by Xavier University of Louisiana's CMHDRE, will take place March 9-11, 2025, at the Sheraton New Orleans. The conference, Collaborative Solutions for Health Equity: Sustaining SDoH Models, will explore integrating community-driven, data-informed solutions to address health disparities and ensure the sustainability of health equity initiatives.
Register Now (opens new window)
WittKieffer is delighted to partner with Cleveland State University in their search for a dynamic leader to serve as their Director, School of Nursing.
The Director reports directly to the Dean of the new College of Health, Dr. Stephanie Brooks, and is responsible for all aspects of administration including strategic planning and vision, oversight and implementation of academic programs and supporting development efforts for the School of Nursing. This is an exciting time for the school to continue building programs and prepare for the future of nursing and healthcare where technology and new teaching methodologies are changing the landscape of higher education.
Apply Now (opens new window)
50 Years: Reflect & Project!
In the season 4 finale of Mental Health Trailblazers, Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up! host Indrias Kassaye sits down with two pivotal figures behind the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) at the American Nurses Association: Janet Jackson, Project Director, and Samuel Suraphel, Digital Program Manager. Often working behind the scenes, Janet and Samuel are the program's driving force, tirelessly steering its mission to support psychiatric mental health nurses from underrepresented backgrounds and advance psychiatric mental health care for diverse communities.
Throughout this engaging and heartfelt conversation, Janet reflects on the personal stories that connected her to MFP’s mission and shares how she helped transform the program from a state of disarray to a thriving support system for behavioral health nurses. Samuel offers his unique insights into the program’s evolution, highlighting the growing interest among young nurses in psychiatric mental health and the shift in perceptions within the field. Together, they celebrate MFP’s achievements and lay out an ambitious vision for the future, including expanding outreach to high schools, building career pathways, and enhancing digital engagement to reach broader audiences.
Join us for this inspiring episode that not only honors the MFP’s remarkable 50-year legacy but also looks ahead with optimism to the next generation of mental health care providers. As Janet, Samuel, and Indrias celebrate this milestone, they leave us with a powerful reminder: mental health care is essential, and the mission continues.
Listen now to the entire podcast episode.
Nurses earn FREE continuing Nursing Education Credits! Visit here (opens new window)
Visit emfp.org to learn more about the Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association.
Introducing the MFP/ANA Mobile App: Connect, Collaborate, Thrive!
We are thrilled to welcome you to the MFP/ANA Mobile App, a platform designed to connect Alumni like yourself in a mobile network of support and collaboration. Whether you are looking to share experiences, seek advice, or simply connect with like-minded individuals, this app is here to facilitate meaningful interactions within our community.
As an Alumni, your unique perspective and expertise are valuable assets that contribute to the richness of our network. We encourage you to explore the various features of the app, participate in discussions, and engage with fellow members to make the most of your experience. Together, we can create a supportive and empowering environment where ideas thrive and connections flourish.
To Connect:
- Use this link (opens new window) to access the community and create an account.
- Complete the 4 brief items to get the most out of the mobile app community including:
- Fill out your profile
- Introduce yourself
- Adjust your notifications so you know when things are happening
- Download the mobile app!
Thank you for joining us on this exciting journey. We look forward to seeing the positive impact you will make within the MFP/ANA Mobile App community.
Download the MFP/ANA Mobile App
Or Scan the QR Code below
Upcoming Events
- Save the Date and Join us for the NCEMNA Policy Summit March 27 -28, 2024 at the California Endowment Center in Los Angeles.
What is Historical Trauma? Listen to the full episode here for more insights into this amazing program, and earn FREE CNEs!
HOTLINE RESOURCES
The National CLAS Standards
The National CLAS Standards are a set of 15 action steps intended to advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health care disparities by providing a blueprint for individuals and health and health care organizations to implement culturally and linguistically appropriate services. View the standards here (opens new window)
About MFP
Funding for the MFP e-Newsletter was made possible (in part) by Grant Number 1H79SM080386-05 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written training materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
