President's Message
Welcome to the Haitian American Nurses Association of Illinois (HANA-IL)! We are a vibrant and growing organization dedicated to supporting our members and advancing the nursing profession. As President of the Midwest Regional Chapter, I am delighted you’ve decided to learn more about us.
Our vibrant and diverse community of Haitian nurses represents a wide range of expertise, including clinicians, practitioners, educators, researchers, scientists, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs, all united by a shared passion for service. We are committed to supporting Haitian-American nurses, advocating for the Haitian community, and addressing the health concerns of at-risk, underserved, and underrepresented populations.
At HANA-IL, inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome nurses from all backgrounds who are seeking a supportive, collaborative space to connect with like-minded professionals who share a commitment to improving community health.
While proudly carrying the Haitian American Nurses Association name, our mission extends beyond our heritage. We strive to make a meaningful impact on all communities in need, creating lasting change through unity and purpose. We invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we embody the spirit of "L'union fait la force" – strength in unity.
Salitasyon zanmi Haitian American Nurses Association of Illinois (HANA-IL)! Nou se òganizasyon nan Illinois ki reprezante enfimyè ayisyen-ameriken nan zone nan.
Òganizasyon nou ap grandi e nou pran angajman pou sipòte enfimyè ayisyen-ameriken yo, defann kominote ayisyèn nan, epi abòde pwoblèm sante popilasyon ki an risk ak moun ki pa reprezante yo. Kòm Prezidan Chapit Rejyonal Midwès la, mwen kontan ou te deside aprann plis sou nou. Nou envite w vin jwenn nou nan HANA-IL. Pas bliyé “l'union fait la force".
Warmest regard,
Patricia Nabal
DNP, BS, MSN, FNP, RN-BC
President, HANA of Illinois
DNP, BS, MSN, FNP, RN-BC
President, HANA of Illinois
2nd Vice President's Message
Welcome! On behalf of the Haitian American Nurses Association (HANA) of Illinois, we are delighted to welcome you to our chapter. Your membership brings fresh ideas and energy to our organization, and we are thrilled to have you as part of our community.
HANA of Illinois is dedicated to serving the Haitian community as well as the broader local communities we support. We warmly invite you to share your suggestions and feedback as we work together to strengthen our chapter and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.
Warmest regards,
Valerie M Aurel-Sherman
MSN, ARNP, FNP-C
2nd Vice President, HANA of Illinois
MSN, ARNP, FNP-C
2nd Vice President, HANA of Illinois
What We Do
1
Health Fairs
We organize health fairs to provide access to health screenings, education, and resources.
2
Community Outreach
We conduct community outreach programs to educate the community on health issues.
3
Advocacy
We advocate for policies that improve the health of the Haitian American community.
Upcoming Events
HANA-I Day On The Hill
Join us on Capital Hill as we meet with our local legislators to discuss issues of concern in our communities.
Date: February 5, 2025
Interest Meeting
Join us at Malcolm X College for our first meet an greet of the year. We'll have a short presentation with light refreshments. We can't wait to meet you!
Date: February 14, 2025
2nd Cultural Nurses Consortium
Join this special convening of all of the nursing cultural organizations in the Chicago-land area.
Date: TBD
Past Events
1st Annual Cultural Nurses Consortium - January 2024
Clothing Giveaway in Collaboration With Daughters of Haiti - October 2023
March of Dimes March For Babies - April 2023
Bethlehem SDA Back to School Drive - August 2023
HANA-I Leadership Convention Gala hosted by HANA-IL at Malcolm X College, Chicago, IL
HANA-I Leadership Convention hosted by HANA-IL at Malcolm X College, Chicago, IL
Hope In A Handbag: MLK Day of Service Project - January 2023
❤️ September is National Suicide Prevention Month!
1
Check in:
Take a moment to reach out to a friend, family member, or colleague and ask how they’re really doing.
2
Listen without judgement:
Sometimes the best support is simply being present and offering a safe space to talk.
3
Share resources:
Remind others that help is available—dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline anytime, day or night.
❤️ Septanm: Mwa Nasyonal Prevansyon Swisid
Septanm se Mwa Sansibilizasyon Sou Prevansyon Swisid. Mwen konnen nan kominote ayisyen an nou pa sipoze pale de sa. Men fok nou onèt avec tet nou, lavi a kon difisil pou nou. Gen de lè nou santi nou pa kapab kenbe ankò e nou pa anvi kontinye. Malgre sa rezistans se fondasyon egzistans nou. Souvan nou konsidere montre vilnerabilite nou kòm feblès. Nou pito chita nan silans nou konsènan fatig mantal nou kon santi pafwa.
Mwen la pou’m di’w, pafwa silans sa ka touye’w. Pafwa bri nou kache nan silans lan pale avèk nou yon lòt jan.
Nan mwa Septanm sa, mwen vle nou, antanke fanm Ayisyèn, fè yon poz epi reflechi. Swisid se pa sèlman yon kriz sante piblik mondyal; se yon reyalite ki touche fanmi nou yo, legliz nou yo, e menm espas travay nou yo. Li pa fè diskriminasyon selon laj, sèks, oswa sitiyasyon sosyal. Men, nan kilti nou an, yo twò souvan kache’l nan wont ak silans.
Antanke madanm, manman, sè, konfidan, ak lidè kominotè, nou dwe kreye espas kote moun yo santi yo an sekirite pou yo di: "Mwen pa byen." Sa ka vle di tyeke yon zanmi, koute san jije, oswa tou senpleman raple yon moun ke yo pa poukont yo. Menm jan nou defann sante fizik nou yo, nou dwe defann byennèt mantal lakay nou ak nan kominote nou yo tou.
Si ou menm oswa yon moun ou konnen ap lite, konnen ke gen èd ki disponib. Ozetazini, lè w rele 988, ou konekte dirèkteman ak Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24 sou 24, 7 jou sou 7, gratis, epi konfidansyèl. Pafwa, yon sèl apèl sa ka fè tout diferans lan.
Ann kraze silans la, Medam. Ann raple youn lòt ke vilnerabilite se pa feblès, se kouraj. Epi ann kontinye ak vrè fòs eritaj nou an: pa sèlman pou siviv, men pou ede youn lòt viv.
Kenbè la!
With love and solidarity (Avèk lanmou ak solidarite),
Dr. Patricia Nabal,
President, Haitian American Nurses Association of Illinois