Dear OCN Supporters and Friends:
In light of financial constraints, the Board of Directors of the Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN) has unanimously voted to restructure the organization and begin the work of planning for its future impact on nurses throughout the state. Effective June 6, OCN will temporarily suspend its leadership and diversity programs. OCN will continue its work on Nursing Workforce Research, and continue to provide resources for nurses on its website.
Because of this restructure, Mary Rita Hurley, RN, MPA, has chosen to pursue other opportunities. We are so grateful to Mary Rita for her three years of dedicated service to OCN. Her contributions to increasing OCN’s reach across the state and raising more awareness of OCN’s work will help propel us in the future. Mary Rita has been an asset to this organization, and we thank her for her work and her accomplishments.
Jana Bitton, MPA, has agreed to serve as interim executive director. Also, to assist this transition, the OCN Board has asked former OCN Executive Director Kris Campbell, RN, PhD, to serve as a consultant. We are very fortunate to have Kris Campbell’s expertise during this time. I know Kris will help give context to OCN’s past to help best shape OCN’s future.
While this change was a difficult decision, we know this reinvigoration of our organization will benefit all nurses in Oregon. To learn more about the changes at OCN, please visit our website at www.oregoncenterfornursing.org.
Thank you so much for your continued support of OCN over the years. On behalf of the entire board, I want to assure you of our enthusiasm for our future and our committment to nurses at all levels throughout the state.
Sincerely,
Barbara Van Slyke, RN
Board President
Oregon Center for Nursing
June 5, 2014
