Retired Nurses Association elects new Board

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Retired Nurses Association (SVGRNA), at its 11th annual general meeting on Monday, January 27, 2025, elected a new executive board to lead the organization from 2025 to 2027. Presided over by Alanda Ballantyne as electoral officer, the event saw a number of executive members re-elected.

Returning to their positions are:

President, Ann DeRoche; Vice President, Ganis DaSilva; Secretary, Joan Mayers; Treasurer, Clari Gilbert; and Public Relations Officer, Anita Willi.

Newly elected members are Assistant Secretary, Helen Richards; Assistant Treasurer, Marius Duncan; and Committee Members in Elizabeth Collins and Millicent DaSilva.

Advira Providence serves as the Immediate Past President.

In her address, President DeRoche encouraged members to continue their dedication to the profession, nurses, patients, and the association itself and strive to build a more vibrant and impactful organization. She outlined three key pillars for the association to focus on in the coming year, these being: professional growth; prioritizing opportunities for professional development by mentoring younger nurses, participating in educational programmes, and engaging in community service to give back to society; and advocacy- becoming strong advocates for patients and the nursing profession, using their collective voice to influence policies that improve healthcare and working conditions.

The president emphasized that advocacy is a crucial responsibility as healthcare systems evolve to meet current and future needs, ensuring that the needs of nurses and patients remain at the forefront of national conversations.

With respect to innovation, she highlighted embracing innovation in healthcare, adapting to new technologies and practices to enhance patient care. The association, she said,will take a leading role in advocating for the integration of evidence-based practices and technology into nursing, finding creative solutions to every day challenges.

In 2024, the SVGRNA said it successfully partnered with the Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT) to conduct health screenings for students and faculty at the Community College main campus at Villa, and the Division of Technical Education at Arnos Vale under the theme “Know Your Numbers.”

The screenings identified and addressed abnormal findings among the student population. An article written by Clari Gilbert was published in the Online Journal of Nursing.

The association said it also hosted a successful symposium on Men’s Health on May 5, 2024, at the Girl Guides Headquarters, with the slogan “Promoting Health and Wellness beyond Age 50.”

As well, the SVGRNA said it conducted a leadership/management workshop for ward sisters and senior staff nurses of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, with the assistance of a steering committee.

President DeRoche has called for 2025 to be a year of progress, excellence, and unity for the nursing profession in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). She believes that by working together, nurses can make a profound impact and leave an invaluable legacy, recognizing their indispensable role in the health and wellness of the nation.