Representation Matters in Healthcare: New Nonprofit DNPs of Color Focusing on Increasing Diversity in Nursing Practice
ALEXANDRIA, VA — May 4, 2020 — Today marks the official introduction of DNPs of Color and its inaugural Board of Directors to the community.
DNPs of Color (DOCs), is a 501c3 nonprofit nursing organization, whose mission is to increase diversity in doctoral studies, clinical practice, and leadership for nurses. DNP, short for Doctor of Nursing Practice, is the highest level of education a nurse can attain which focuses on clinical practice. DNPs influence healthcare outcomes through healthcare policy, organizational leadership, and translating nursing research into evidenced-based practice.
DOCs will provide online communities for nurses of color who have obtained or are working towards obtaining their DNP. DOCs activities will include organizing celebrations, hosting speaker events, conferences, and establishing collaborative partnerships with nursing schools across the U.S. DOC’s top priority would focus on peer networking and mentoring.
“Statistically, doctorally prepared nurses of color are vastly underrepresented in clinical practice, academia, and leadership,” said Dr. Danielle McCamey, President and CEO of DOCs. “Communities of color are disproportionately affected by many healthcare issues, such as the current COVID-19 crisis. One of the many reasons for these disparities is the lack of diverse healthcare professionals. With DOCs, we intend to create supportive environments that will help inspire, empower, and transform the landscape of nursing to include more diversity in the practice that will ultimately increase positive patient-provider relationships, patient satisfaction and healthcare outcomes,” stated Dr. McCamey.
DOCs leadership is pleased to introduce its board members. The board membership reflects more than 140 years of combined nursing practice and an array of nursing skill sets and specialties. “I am thrilled to welcome these talented individuals to DOCs Board of Directors. Their unique backgrounds and diverse experiences will make them great assets to DNPs of Color’s Board and the organization,” Dr. McCamey added.
DNPs of Color Board of Directors:
Founder, President and CEO
Danielle McCamey, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, FCCP
Chief Advanced Practice Provider of the Preanesthesia Testing Department and Senior Advanced Practice Provider in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
Vice President
Ethlyn McQueen-Gibson, DNP, MSN, RN-BC
Associate professor at Hampton University’s School of Nursing in Hampton, VA.
Treasurer
LaDonna Brown DNP, CRNA, MNA
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for North American Partners in Anesthesia.
Secretary
Toni Murray, DNP, CMSRN
Director of Nursing Professional Development at MedStar Health.
Bimbola Akintade PhD, MBA, MHA, CCRN, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC
Assistant Professor and Associate Dean of the Master’s Specialties at the University of Maryland School of Nursing.
Jenna Benyounes, DNP, CNM, WHNP
Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), Sexuality Counselor and owner of Transcend Healthcare.
Daisy Medina-Kreppein, DNP, FNP-BC
Family Nurse Practitioner at Grace Family Medicine.
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If you’re interested in joining the community as a practitioner or support, please visit our website www.docdnps.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @docdnps.
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