The Birmingham Black Nurses Association, Inc. (BBNA) was established in October 1989 under the leadership of Deborah Walker and Geneva Irby, who are currently serving as president emeritus and vice president emeritus respectively. BBNA received its charter as an official chapter of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) in 1990 at the NBNA Annual Institute & Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Consistent with the goals of its national organization, BBNA advocates for high quality, culturally relevant health care for African Americans and other ethnic groups. BBNA’s many collaborative partnerships both nationally and throughout the Birmingham community are vital to the success of this mission. Dedicated to making a positive impact on health care disparities and issues of access to care within the state of Alabama, BBNA is a dynamic organization that maintains a constant presence in the Birmingham community. BBNA sponsors professional nursing workshops, mentors nursing students, conducts community health fairs, supports community healthcare initiatives, and participates in community service projects. Health promotion, disease prevention, and health education services are important strategies as BBNA continues to pursue quality healthcare for all Alabamians.
Founding National President, Dr. Lauranne Sams, served as liaison to BBNA and helped BBNA organize as a local chapter.
BBNA was incorporated in 1992.
CHARTER MEMBERS
|
Deborah C. Walker
|
Brenda Browder | Geneva G. Irby |
| Vanessa Newsome | Theresa Rodgers | Annie Hamilton |
| Pat Taylor | Bernice Spencer | Diana Kimbrough |
| Virginia Thomas | Karen Winters | Gloria Lewis |
| Michelle York | Gwen Pernell | Barbara Stubbs |
First Row Left to Right: Gwen Pernell, Geneva Irby, Deborah Walker, Lauranne Sams, Founder of NBNA, Bernice Spencer, Theresa Rodgers
Second Row, Left to Right: Vanessa Newsome, Brenda Browder, Gloria Lewis, Diana Kimbrough, Karen Winters, Virginia Thomas, Michelle York, Barbara Stubbs. Founding Members not Pictured: Annie Hamilton, Pat Taylor.
Geneva G. Irby
Gloria Lewis
Carol DeRamus
Francine Clark Jones
Marcia Lowe
Carthenia Jefferson
Deborah Andrews
Jennifer Coleman
Mary F. Williamson
Lindsey Harris
Deborah Thedford-Zimmerman
Alean Nash
Patricia Curry beginning 1/1/2023
OBJECTIVES OF BBNA
- Promote ongoing continuing nursing education to support the standard of nursing practice
- Plan activities to support a scholarship fund for nursing students and a research fund for nursing practices
- Provide health education in the African American community
- Define and determine the health care needs for the African American community by acting as their advocates
- Conduct, analyze and publish research to increase the body of knowledge about health need of the African American community
- Recruit, counsel, and assist African American persons interested in nursing to ensure a constant procession of African American nurses into the field of nursing (mentorship program) and encourage nurses to obtain higher levels of education, at least a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree
- Be the vehicle for unification of African American nurses of varied age groups, educational levels and specialty areas to ensure continuity and support of our common interests
[learn_more caption=”BBNA SERVICE COLLABORATIONS”]
AARP
AKA, BIRMINGHAM, AL CHAPTER
ALABAMA STATE NURSES ASSOCIATION
ALABAMA COALTION OF NURSING ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
BRENDA’S BROWN BOSOM BUDDIES
BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCILMAN STEVEN HOYT
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF ALABAMA
DELTA SIGMA THETA, BIRMINGHAM, AL CHAPTER
DR. SANDRA FORD & THE SPIRIT OF LUKE: A PROMISE TO HELP
NAVIGATOR
OBESITY ACTION COALITION
SICKLE CELL FOUNDATION
SUSAN G. KOMEN NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA AFFILIATE CHAPTER
UAB HOSPITAL
UAB SCHOOL OF NURSING
VITAS INNOVATIVE HOSPICE CARE
[/learn_more][learn_more caption=”COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES”]
Blood Pressure Screenings, Health & Lifestyle Awareness Education & Health Fairs
Compassionate Care Donations to Salvation Army
Compassionate Care Donations to Children’s Village
Compassionate Care Donations to Jessie’s Place
Compassionate Care Donations to Hannah Home for Abused Women & Children
Compassionate Care Donations to the Homeless
Compassionate Care Donations to Southern Care Hospice
Compassionate Care Donations to Jasper House for HIV/AIDS Tenants
AKA Health Fair
Delta Sigma Theta Health Fair
Spirit of Luke: A Promise to Help Blackbelt Mission
Colon Cancer Walk
Project Homeless
Women’s Health 5K
Sickle Cell Walk
AME Pentecostal Explosion
Adopt a School-Back to School Supplies Collection Project
American Heart Walk
Walk from Obesity
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk
[/learn_more][learn_more caption=”BBNA LEGENDS AND HEROES IN HEALTHCARE 2006-2013″]
2013 Legends in White
| Doreen C. Harper, PhD, RN, FAAN |
| Beatrice M. Price, RN |
2013 Heroes in Healthcare
| Helen J. Clinton, RN |
| Kermillia Moore-Whitehead, MS, RN, NE-BC |
2010 Legends in White
| Delois Skipwith Guy, PhD, RN |
| Roberta Watts, PhD, RN |
2010 Heroes in Healthcare
| Ernestine French, RN |
| Trudy Lockett, RN |
| Angela Shorter, RN, IBCLC, CCE |
| Wyvern Wallace, MSN, RN, NE-BC |
2008 Legends in White
| Lauranne Sams, PhD, RN |
| Pauline Fletcher, RN |
| Deborah C. Walker, BSN, MA, NE-BC |
| Geneva G. Irby, RN |
| Bettye F. Berry, PhD |
| Eulalia H. Cooper, BSN |
2008 Heroes in Healthcare
| Mardell Davis, PhD, RN |
| Gloria J. Harris, MSN |
| Rochelle Reynolds, RN |
| Shona Thomas, RN |
2006 Legends in White
| Charlie Dickson, BSN, MSN, Ed.D |
| Surpora Thomas, BSN, MBA |
| Cynthia Barginere, BSN |
2006 Heroes in Healthcare
| Stephanie Armstead, RN |
| Sandra Rudolph, RN |
| Vanessa McNeil, RN |
| Patricia Moore, RN |
[/learn_more]
