President's Message

After two years of virtual conferences, the 34^th Annual Scientific Sessions Conference in Providence, Rhode Island was welcomed by all! We are thrilled to report that 565 participants joined us for this year’s conference with the theme “Charting the Path of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through Nursing Science.” We extend our sincere appreciation to our annual partners and conference sponsors for their generous financial support and help in sustaining the Eastern Nursing Research Society.

Many thanks to outgoing President Ann Marie Mauro for her strong and visionary leadership. I would like to also thank outgoing Board member Marilyn Hammer for her support and responsiveness in serving ENRS so capably.  As conference chair, I am sincerely thankful to our excellent conference planning committee members: Drs. Ann Marie Mauro, Elizabeth Chin, Angela Gerolamo. Melissa O’Connor, So Hyun Park, Jennifer Mammen, Kristin Magan, Veronica Erasquin and Conference Group partners Carolyn Lagermasini, Kathleen Doran, Amanda Hoar, Crystal Adair and others whose tireless dedication and creativity made our conference possible. Many thanks also to our expert abstract reviewers, abstract slotters, and award committee members for their creativity and tireless commitment to ensure the success of our 34^th Annual ENRS Conference. Their dedication has enabled ENRS to thrive and grow even stronger as an organization.  We are truly grateful for the support of our greater than 1,000 members!  It is exciting to see the ongoing growth of our organization.

Dr. Mauro opened the conference and recognized the 2022 research award winners who were celebrated!  That was followed by Dr. Gina Brown’s inspiring opening session: “Strengthening Nursing's Capacity of Diversity and Inclusion, while Achieving Equitable Outcomes.” There were many excellent papers, posters,  symposiums and workshops. The plenary session led by Dr. Mary Sullivan with panelists Dr. Robert Atkins, Dr. Annette T. Maruca and Dr. Lisa Lewis offered an enriching dialogue about charting our path forward in research that incorporates inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility. At the conference, Dr. Mauro presented the statement prepared by the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Advisory Group, led by Dr. Lisa Lewis and comprised of diverse members from academic and clinical organizations across the region. This statement will be sent to all members for comment before a Board vote is taken to approve it. 

I look forward to working on our strategic initiatives and further strengthening ENRS with our incredible 2022-2023 ENRS Executive Board, President-Elect Dr. Marie Ann Marino, Treasurer Dr. Lisa Lewis, Secretary Dr. Allison Norful, and Members-At-Large, Dr. Melissa O’Connor (Awards), Dr. Marie Boltz (Communications) and Dr. Lisa Kitko (Research Interest Groups [RIGs]), as well as our committees, RIGs, and members.

I invite you to save the date for the 35^th Annual Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia on March 23-24, 2023 as we continue our collaboration to advance our ENRS vision to promote health through nursing science.

Warmest wishes,

Jane Flanagan, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, AHN-BC, FNI, FNAP, FAAN

President, Eastern Nursing Research Society