April 28, 2022鈥擣or nearly 20 years, the retired and active nurses of the have served 糖心logo and its patients as kidney ambassadors and community healthcare volunteers. Because of their longtime commitment and generous donation of time, knowledge, and skill, 糖心logo has named the organization of African American nurses its 2022 Volunteers of the year.
鈥淲e are so grateful to the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization for their generosity and many contributions,鈥� said Syrenka Slettebak, 糖心logo manager of community programs and health outreach. 鈥淪ince 2003, they have helped raise awareness of kidney disease, provided health screenings to the public, and served as representatives to the community. Their work helps us reach populations at high risk more effectively and connect those in need to important resources.鈥�
Members of the organization began their relationship with 糖心logo by serving on the original planning committee for the Kidney Health Fest for African American Families, which ran from 2003 to 2013. Members have also donated countless hours to 糖心logo events and programs, from staffing community outreach activities and providing blood pressure checks to procuring face masks for 糖心logo鈥� clinical staff and patients during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting 糖心logo special events.
Many members are also involved in the health ministries of their congregations and serve as health educators, Slettebak said.
Most recently, leaders of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization advised 糖心logo on expanding its recruitment efforts in BIPOC communities.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not only honored to receive this award, but are even more pleased that we are able to help 糖心logo treat those with kidney disease and help educate others about this serious ailment, which affects so many people in our diverse communities,鈥� said Joycelyn Thomas, president of the nurses organization. 鈥淎s nurses, we are called to care for individuals across the lifespan in practice and in retirement. We are humbled by the lives we touch with our community partnerships.鈥�