who we are

The New England Minority Nurse Leadership Conference was launched in 2015 with seed grant funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellows Alumni Association. This grant was the outcome of a joint proposal submitted by three RWJ Executive Nurse Fellows Alumni, Lisa Davis (2007 cohort), Deborah Washington (2007 cohort), and Gaurdia Banister (2001 cohort). This annual conference reflects the collective power of networking, collaboration, innovation and leadership.

The goal of the New England Minority Nurse Leadership Conference was to bring the nursing and health care community together to discuss nursing diversity as it relates to leadership, education and the workforce. It provided a forum to understand the unique challenges and opportunities that are presented, especially as it relates to minority nurses. Diversity within the leadership of healthcare provides for various perspectives and capability for quality decision-making. When Board members, senior leaders, and the healthcare workforce overall, reflect the communities they serve, an understanding of the needs of the community, trust, and the ability to ensure health equity are cultivated. Healthcare leadership that is diverse and involved with its community promotes cultural competence results in improved health outcomes and fewer care disparities.