Our Team

A new year, a new beginning. I have been a nurse for 47 years and am still passionate about it. Nursing is one of the most respected professions in the world, although now many nurses don’t seem to have the same compassion I had in my beginning. I have been a member of the Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses Association for 18 years, and I see how this organization promotes leadership and advancements in the nursing field. Thank you, NBNA, for the many conferences that have kept us uplifted. During my presidency, along with the Chicago Chapter, we plan to improve the professional development of the new nurses. We will work toward improving the health quality of Black people and people of color through health awareness and community outreach. There are over 100 chapters of National Black Nurses across the country.

We must still increase the membership of students, working nurses, and retirees. It takes all of us. Another important goal is to increase awareness and decrease health disparities among our people. We must be at the table of decision-makers and advocate to decrease racism in healthcare. I want to thank the previous presidents for the work they did. We still have work to do. We invite you to join us and learn the benefits of being a Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses member.

Respectfully,
Vanessa Crim-Willis, RN
PRESIDENT