Leadership
From The President's Desk
With joy, I warmly welcome you to our organization.
In 1982, the Central Florida Black Nurses Association (CFBNA) of Orlando was founded by Bernice Edwards, Susie Forehand, and Mercerdese Clark, providing a forum for nurses to network as advocate for quality healthcare for all. As an organization, we have come a long way with a rich and respected history. Our members’ locations span four Central Florida counties (Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake). CFBNA of Orlando is well respected, and you can be proud to be a member.
Being a member of the CFBNA of Orlando has numerous benefits. We provide education promoting health and wellness throughout the Central Florida communities and serve our community by participating in public events offering FREE health checks. Benefits also include FREE Continuing Education Units (CEUs), eligibility for an academic scholarship, and professional growth and development, to name a few. With your help, we can sustain services to our community, enhance engagement of the CFBNA of Orlando members, and pave the way for the next generation of nurses.
Our organization continues to grow, and we look to the future with hope. In order to best serve you and our community, members are encouraged to get involved in the organizational committees. We need and value your knowledge, skills, talents, and input on creative and innovative ways to fulfill our mission and philosophy of being advocates of quality healthcare, promoters of optimal health, and change agents to achieve health equity for all which are rewarding experiences.
The past helps us look with excitement towards the future that we will reach more people needing our assistance and provide sufficient support and relevant resources to meet members’ needs. Many community organizations and residents rely on the CFBNA of Orlando for health services. Several organizations have recognized us and are steadfast partners. Therefore, we remain committed prepared and strive to meet their needs with exceptional service. We will continue to move forward to realize the organization’s goals. While we are grateful for our accomplishments over the 40 years, my continued prayer is that “the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17.
Dr. Jennifer Sankey, Ph.D., MSHA, BSN, RN, CPPS
Central Florida Black Nurses Association of Orlando, Inc. President
2024 Executive Board of Directors
- President - Monica Akins
- 1st Vice President - Aisha Pyatt
- 2nd Vice President - Dr. Monique Farrington
- Secretary - Dr. Monica Debro
- Treasurer - Audrey Rounds
- Immediate Past President - Dr. Jennifer Sankey-Battles
- Parliamentarian - Juanita Green, MPH, BSN, RN
- Board – Leona Turnbull, MSN, MPH, BSN, RN
- Board – Margaret Refour
- Board – Mia Jenkins
- Board – Ivan Sankey, AS, RN, CNOR
- Board SN - Marie Desroches
- National Black Nurses Association Board Member - Constance Brown, BSN, RN-BC, CCM
Committee Chairperson
- Activity/Program - Monique Prince
- Activity/Program co-chair - Leona Turnbull
- Bylaws - Juanita Green
- Courtesy - Bernice Edwards
- Courtesy Co-chair-Margaret Refour
- Finance - Audrey Rounds
- Health Policy chair - Bernedine Fair
- Health Policy Co-chair - (Interim) Monica Akins
- Membership - Susie Forehand
- Mentoring chair - Ebony Platt
- Nominating - Dr. Veronica Fitzgerald
- Public Relations/Publicity chair - Marie Desroches
- Scholarship chair - Eloise Abrahams
- Scholarship Co-chair - Ingrild Philpott
- Under 40 chair- Ebony Platt
- Under 40 advisor - Denise Brown
CFBNA Past Presidents
- Mercerdees Clark
- Mary Jack
- Eliza Kirby
- Juanita Green
- Nicole Hancock
- Elaine Caldwell
- Judith Yvette Clark
- Ingrid Philpott
- Constance Brown
- Lois Wilson
- Eloise Abrahams