Category Archives: All News

SW-VCNP February Meeting Success!

News - Southwest, , , 
We had a fantastic meeting at The Girl and the Raven in Abingdon, VA, on February 1, 2025! Thank you to everyone who joined us for our monthly meeting!  

Pat Meinen, from Medical Reserve Corps came to enlighten everyone on their services and to announce the Annual Conference presented by NETN, SWVA, and Sullivan County MRC Units.  The conference is on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Northeast State Community College, 2425 TN-75, Blountville, TN 37617, from 8 am to 5 pm. They will be covering a Sheltering Exercise, CPR Certification, Communications, Networking, Mental Health and Disasters, and much more! So SAVE THE DATE!!

Southwest Virginia Nurse Honor Guard-Christine Mullins presented an update on progress with the website, social media, membership (n=37), counties covered, ongoing raffle ticket sales for the EKO Stethoscope, and future plans.  The raffle will be drawn at the next SWVCNP regional meeting on March 1, 2025.

County Champions were established to disseminate services regionally.  The County Champions are responsible for arrangements with the funeral home, family members, and the honor guard members. Several members volunteered for this effort.  
The southwest region is creating a basket to raffle off at the VCNP Conference.  The theme is Rustic, Appalachian Adventures.  Each member is going to purchase items up to $25 for the basket and we will work on it together at the next meeting SWVCNP Regional Meeting on March 1, 2025.

There was a robust discussion on calendar events for this year and things our group was interested in hosting/participating in, i.e., REVIVE Training, conferences, museum of trees, parades, trunk or treats, and drug takebacks.  Coetta Neece has started a calendar to add events to for our region. We also discussed hosting meetings outside of Abingdon--alternating sites for more participation.  

Our next meeting: March 1, 2025 at The Girl and the Raven, 380 E. Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia, 9:30 AM. We hope to see all our members at the next meeting!!

We forgot to get a group photo, however, we did get a few pictures to share!  Many thanks to Tauna Gulley, Southwest Region President, for leading our group meeting and for all the members who showed up for networking!
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SW-VCNP February Meeting Venue Change!

News - Southwest, , 
Change of Plans 🫣
Good evening SWVCNP members!  The next meeting will be 🥁
Date: February 1, 2025 at the 
Location: Girl and the Raven!!
Time: 9:30 AM  
Address: 380 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210

Thank you for voting on the venue and date for our next meeting! Due to cost/scheduling, we changed the venue.  Please add this to your calendar! We cannot wait to see you there! 👩‍⚕️

New Year Update

News - Southwest, Uncategorized

The Southwest Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners has conducted a SWVA Nurse Honor Guard tribute at Gilliam’s Funeral Home in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. On 1/1/2025, Drs. Christine Mullins and Rebecca Garrett conducted the heartfelt tribute.

Mullins said. “Conducting the Honor Guard tribute is one of the most honorable and memorable ceremonies I have ever participated in. There are honor guards for the military, masons, police, and firefighters. Now nurses can also be honored in southwest Virginia with recognition of their profound service and impact throughout their careers.”

The SWVA Nurse Honor Guard has established a website, donated by The Health Wagon. The website allows volunteers to share their contact information, and the Guard has recruited 31 volunteers representing nine counties in Virginia. The website provides information on conducting the ceremony, the supplies needed and how to obtain them, the Mission, Values, FAQ, Testimonials, a Media Gallery, and Contact Information.

The Southwest Region–VCNP is also selling raffle tickets for $5 each for an Eko brand electronic stethoscope (valued at $400) to help fund SWVA Honor Guard endeavors. The group has also created a Facebook page and private chat for members to communicate. The council’s next steps are to acquire more honor guard capes, caps, triangles, lanterns, and service announcements for funeral homes to spread the word to families throughout the region.

Drs. Christine Mullins and Rebecca Garrett

Tidewater Congratulates Our Scholarship Winners!

News - Tidewater, ,

Kasaundra Ewing 

TW-VCNP Nurse Practitioner Doctoral Scholarship Award

“This scholarship will assist me in pursuing my DNP degree, which will allow me to focus on the social determinants of health and mental health services for the underserved population. I plan to implement evidence-based practice and advocate for policies that improve access and outcomes for marginalized communities. 

Again, Thank you for selecting me for VCNP Scholarship. “

Kasaundra Ewing, MS, RN, FNP-BC, DNP Student

Mary Adebowale

TW-VCNP Nurse Practitioner Doctoral Scholarship Award

“With an advanced nursing degree, I plan to actively influence and shape healthcare policies that promote diversity and inclusion. I aim to use this education to advocate for policies that address the social determinants of health, ensure that everyone is included regardless of their financial status, background, or race, and have equal access to great healthcare.”  

Mary Adebowale MSN, FNP-C, DNP Student

Tonya Bowers

2024 Student Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Award

“After earning my DNP in 2022, I made the courageous decision to return to school to pursue my FNP. It is my desire to improve health outcomes and continue expanding our clinical footprint. Upon completing my FNP degree in December 2055, I intend to use my nursing knowledge and skills to improve health outcomes for my local community and positively expand patient’s access to care. “

Tonya Bowers, DNP, RN, FNP Student

Lerlyne Lewis

2024 Student Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Award

“As an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse student, I’m passionate about providing quality healthcare to minority communities. I want to help bridge the healthcare gap and make sure everyone has access to the care they need. The VCNP scholarship is a huge help in my journey to becoming a nurse practitioner and making a difference in these underserved populations. I’m so grateful to the VNCP for supporting my studies and helping me achieve my goals.”

Lerlyne Lewis, DNP, RN, Dual Role FNP/AG-ACNP Student

Representing in Southwest Region Style!

News - Southwest

🏥 From November 19-20, we represented Southwest VA at the Rural Health Conference at the SWVA Higher Education Building in Abingdon. We connected with key leaders, including Gini Weisz (Roanoke Region), Denise Daly Konrad (Virginia Health Care Foundation), and Robin Collins (Frontier Health).

🎉 Congratulations to Robin for winning the Blood Pressure Cuff Raffle!

Thank you to everyone who helped us make an impact this month! 💙

💙 Call to Action: Help Us Honor Nurses 💙

News - Southwest

The SW Region-Virginia Council of Practitioners is establishing a regional Nurse Honor Guard in the area and is seeking interested nurses to participate. The SWVA Nurse Honor Guard will offer dignified tributes to deceased nurses by reciting the Nightingale Tribute and presenting condolences to their families. We also plan to engage in community events to promote our service.

We invite LPNs, LVNs, nursing students, RNs, and APRNs to join this meaningful initiative. Interested in collaborating? Please submit your information through the provided website so we can connect with you. Let’s honor the legacy of nursing together! 🌟

https://swvanursehonorguard.powerappsportals.com/Volunteer/