Rhode Island State Nurses Association Welcomes New Board President

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island State Nurses Association (RISNA) announced that Christine Gadbois MSN, PHCNS-BC has been elected RISNA Board President. Gadbois will preside over the board of directors, a dynamic group of nurse leaders from throughout the state, in activities ranging from promoting membership and involvement to advocating for nurses’ concerns and public health.

One of Gadbois’s chief goals as RISNA Board President is to increase membership and involvement in the statewide organization, a constituent member of the American Nursing Association. There are approximately 18,000 RNs in Rhode Island who stand to benefit from RISNA’s advocacy and promotion of nursing. Gadbois intends to continue consolidating statewide efforts aimed at improving services for nurses and the public.

RISNA’s ongoing activities in collaboration with the American Nursing Association and constituent associations in other states have resulted in successes such as this year’s landmark Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) legislation, which if passed in the House next week will make Rhode Island the fifteenth state to enact legislation streamlining policies for APRNs. These adaptations will make it easier for nurses to practice while simultaneously increasing patients’ access to specialized care.

Gadbois herself is an APRN certified in a number of areas including Public Health, Psychiatric Mental Health, and Developmental Disabilities Nursing. As Vice President of Seven Hills Rhode Island, a non-profit provider of services to children and adults with disabilities, her primary professional focus is on improving the long-term health of populations by developing services and strategies to promote community health.

The RISNA leadership change came as Gadbois, who had served as Vice President of the board for 18 months, was elected to the presidency after the former president assumed a major new position. Gadbois will lead the RISNA board through 2013, continuing to work closely with Executive Director Donna Policastro to advance the organization’s goals and improve its strategies. “I’m fortunate that all the members of the board are extremely experienced professional nurse leaders,” Gadbois said.

The Rhode Island State Nurses Association (RISNA), a constituent member of the American Nurses Association (ANA), is dedicated to the promotion, advancement, and protection of nursing thereby improving the quality of and access to health care in Rhode Island. More information is available on the RISNA website, www.risna.org

Leave a comment