The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) has named Martin Taylor its new executive director, effective June 1, 2017. Taylor has spent the past nine years working with mission-based non-profit companies to improve health care systems and increase Oregonians’ access to high-quality care. Prior to that, he spent 11 years working for ONA’s 14,000 nurses. Taylor will succeed Susan King, MS, RN, CEN, FAAN, who will retire this summer.
“Martin’s talent for bringing diverse groups together and raising health care standards make him an ideal choice to lead our organization,” said ONA President Katy Cooper, BSN, RN, CCRN. “Oregon’s nurses and patients will benefit from his dedication and insight as we continue our mission to improve health care for all Oregonians.”
Taylor joins ONA from CareOregon, where he is currently the executive director of public affairs. During his tenure, CareOregon significantly increased the size of its membership and scope of its work, in large part due to public policy changes he promoted and helped implement related to Oregon’s coordinated care organization (CCO) model. He also oversaw departments at CareOregon that included member engagement, health equity, communications and community partnership programs.
Taylor previously served as ONA’s director of health policy and government relations and was instrumental in developing and passing the country’s first statewide nurse staffing law based on patient acuity. He also directed successful efforts to expand the scope and practice of nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists and led ONA’s work to increase health care access.
“Martin has been a leading advocate for improving our health care system and for nurses,” said King. “Through his work on groundbreaking nurse staffing legislation, increasing authority for nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, and promoting innovative health care reforms, he has proven to be one of Oregon’s premier health care leaders. We are proud to welcome him back to ONA as we prepare to meet new challenges in an ever-changing health system.”
“I’m excited to continue ONA’s legacy of raising nursing standards and advocating to improve health care for all people,” said Taylor. “Nurses are uniquely positioned to make a lasting impact on Oregonians’ health. I’m honored to work together with them to create healthier communities and ensure everyone has access to high-quality, affordable health care.”
ONA was founded in 1904 as the professional association for nurses in Oregon. It is a nonprofit association and a labor union representing more than 14,000 Oregon nurses. ONA’s mission is to advocate for nursing, quality health care and healthy communities.
