Anabell Castro Thompson Voted President-Elect for the National Hispanic Nurses Group

By: Cindy G Castillo

Anabell Castro Thompson, nurse practitioner with the Hospice of the Valley, has been named president-elect for the National Association of Hispanic Nurses for 2014-2016.

The Chandler resident was elected and installed during the July national conference in Miami, Florida.

“I am extremely excited. This position will allow me the opportunity to do what is in my heart. I always enjoy advocating for the health care needs of the Hispanic community,” she said.

The National Association consists of 39 chapters nationwide, with more than 1,500 members who work in different capacities from professors to researchers.

Thompson is also director for the Hospice of the Valley’s Hispanic program

Her platform included pledges to develop membership through local chapters, raise the association’s visibility and influence, and support the recruitment, retention and professional growth of Hispanic nurses.

She has led Hospice of the Valley’s efforts to enhance culturally sensitive end-of-life care to Hispanic patients and families. She has won numerous awards for her leadership from local, state and national organizations.

“A lot of our members are themselves Hispanic, by culture bilingual, or who are not Hispanic, but truly care about the needs of the Hispanic community,” she said.

As a team, Thompson says the team truly understands that there is plenty that needs to be done as an organization, and becoming stronger will help just that.

“We really need to provide components so that we’re able to decrease healthcare disparities in the community,” Thompson explained.

She said one of the great things about both the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and Hospice of the Valley is that many of the visions and the ideals of both organizations mirror each other and revolve around providing patient care and linguistically appropriate care to the Hispanic community.

Through her new position as President elect, she hopes to be an advocate for Hispanics.

“I want this organization to be more prolific. I want the National Association of Hispanic Nurses to be at the table when it comes to reform of healthcare, when it comes to promoting the safety and the quality of healthcare delivery,” she said.

As an organization, she wishes to disseminate research findings and policy perspective related to the healthcare needs of the Hispanic community.

“I look forward to working with such an esteemed colleague who has never strayed from the mission and vision of NAHN in keeping our goals and values at the top of her list of priorities,” said Dan Suarez, association president in a release.

To learn more about the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, visit  www.nahnnet.org or the 
Hospice of the Valley website at  www.hov.org