PresidentPresident: Jimmie Kilpatrick Johns Hopkins University
In the wake of 9/11, on December 7th 2001, I enlisted in the United Sates Navy. Upon arriving at my ship’s homeport in Pearl Harbor, HI, I became involved with the local chapter of the American Heart Association, leading a group of volunteers from my ship to participate in such events as their annual Heartwalk and Black and Blue Ball. I was also very fortunate to be involved with the Make-A-Wish foundation, where on two separate occasions a terminally ill child was given a tour of our ship as part of their wish for a visit to Pearl Harbor. It was truly an amazing and humbling experience to see the strength and courage of these children and their families.
In 2004, I was honored to be selected as a Junior Sailor of the Quarter for the USS Chafee and also received a Sea Service Award from the Honolulu council of the Navy League of the United States for outstanding performance and dedication to duty. Later that year I decided to submit my application for an enlisted to officer program named the Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECP), where if selected, I would have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing and be commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy Nurse Corps. In February of 2005, I was informed that I had been selected to be a participant in the program and my quest for a quality education began. My search led me to the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, where I applied and was fortunately admitted for matriculation in their traditional BSN program.
After completing the required prerequisites at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MD, I entered Johns Hopkins as a junior in the Fall of 2006. Having joined the NSNA while still attending AACC, I could not wait to hit the ground running. At the very first JHSNA chapter meeting; I submitted my name as a candidate for the office of vice-president, where I would be able to continue my love of organizing and participating in volunteer events. I was elected and over the next six months became acquainted with a number of outstanding students and faculty that shared my love for volunteer work. I cannot thank them enough for the support they have given me. The commitment of these individuals to make a difference in their community, country, and world constantly amazes me.
Two of the dedicated individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing are Rachel Walker, the president of MANS whom I will be succeeding, and Rosemary Mortimer, former faculty adviser to MANS and president-elect of the Maryland Nurse’s Association. The passion of both of these individuals has inspired me tremendously and left me with a desire to do more for the future of our chosen profession. As I heard student leaders speak from other Maryland NSNA school chapters during the 2006 MANS convention, I could see this same desire. As your MANS President I want to help combine the energies of each member of every chapter and seek out our bigger purpose. Such issues as patient advocacy, cultural diversity, health promotion/prevention, disaster preparedness, and the increasing nursing shortage demand our attention. If there is one thing I have learned from the Navy, it is not the individual, but the team that makes the difference. Together, we can start meeting the challenges these issues pose now and only together will we succeed. The future of nursing is in OUR hands.
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