GVNA’s 39th Annual Legislative Reception for Nursing

Genesee Valley Nurses Association’s 39th Legislative Reception was held on Thursday evening, February 23, 2023.  Due to COVID, this event was held via Zoom in 2021 and 2022 and it felt good to be back in-person.  

Those who braved the icy night were nurses, future nurses from FLCC, SUNY Brockport and SJF Wegmans School of Nursing and 17 legislators and/or their representatives.  Our speakers included Marilyn Dollinger and Megan Norris.  Dr. Dollinger, ANA-NY President and a Professor Emeritus at St. John Fisher Wegmans School of Nursing gave an overview about legislative issues affecting health care and the nursing profession.  Megan Norris is the Executive Director of Achieving Community Targets Rochester and gave an overview of this organization.  ACT is a data initiative of the Rochester Area Community Foundation that uses community indicators, research expertise, and narrative to improve the culture of decision-making and establish a more equitable, inclusive, and vital Rochester region.”  More information can be found at: https://www.actrochester.org/

Following the presentations, there was a question-and-answer period with legislators and/or their representatives.  Attendees included:

• Andrew Cook, Deputy Regional Director for the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region on behalf of US Senator Schumer
• US Congressman Joe Morelle (US House #25)
• Carly Bird, Constituent Services Representative for Congressman Morelle
• Elizabeth Morabito, Finger Lakes Regional Representative for Governor Kathy Hochul
• Aaron Baker, Communications Director for NYS Senator Pamela Helming (SD#54)
• Zena Shuber, Chief of Staff for NYS Senator Samra Brouk (SD # 55)
• Joe Morelle on behalf of NYS Senator Robert Ortt (SD # 62)
• Alexis Ogra, Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan (AD# 131)
• Assemblyman Josh Jensen (SD# 134)
• Allan Richards, Legislative Director for Assemblyman Harry Bronson (AD #138)
• Monroe County Legislator Tracy DiFlorio (District #3)
• Monroe County Legislator Mark Johns (District #8)
• Monroe County Legislator Howard Maffucci (District #10)
• Monroe County Legislator Steve Brew (District #12)
• Monroe County Legislator Susan Hughes-Smith (District #14)
• Monroe County Legislator Dave Long (District #16)
• Monroe County Legislator Carolyn Delvecchio Hoffman (District #25)

There is never any charge for this event because of our many sponsors, which included:

• American Nurses Association of New York
• American Association of Critical Care Nurses/Greater Rochester Association Finger Lakes Chapter
• American Association of periOperative Registered Nurses/Upstate NY Chapter # 3305
• Beta Chi Chi Chapter Inc. of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc.
• Emergency Nurses Association/Genesee Valley Chapter
• Genesee Valley Nurses Association
• National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists/Western New York Affiliate
• New York Finger Lakes Organization of Nurse Leaders
• Nurse Practitioner Association of New York/Region 2
• Nursing Friends of the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House
• Rochester Black Nurses Association
• STTI Chapter #444-Tau Xi/Roberts Wesleyan College
• John Fisher University/Wegmans School of Nursing
• Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates /Central New York #109
• Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society/Central-Western New York Affiliate

Thanks to all who helped to make this another successful Legislative Reception.

We hope to see you in February 2024.