Washington State Association of Nurse Attorneys earns national recognition

In November 2016, the Washington State Chapter of the Association of Nurse Attorneys was one of two state chapters to receive the Outstanding Chapter Award at the American Association of Nurse Attorneys annual conference in Dallas, Texas. The award was based on our work developing and presenting our Nursing and the Law continuing education programs.

The American Association of Nurse Attorneys is a national nonprofit organization providing resources, education and leadership to its members and the health care and legal communities. There are chapters in 16 states. TAANA’s annual national conference features speakers addressing a variety of concerns relevant to nurse attorneys and attorneys practicing in the health law arena.

The Washington state chapter is comprised of nurse attorneys in a variety of roles including private law practice, academia, collective bargaining, nonprofit leadership, compliance and nursing regulation. Established in 2012, WSANA has held continuing nursing and legal education programs in 2013, 2014, and 2015 in collaboration with the Seattle University School of Law and with sponsorship from a variety of organizations, including the Washington State Nurses Association, the Washington State Medical Association, the Washington Center for Nursing, the Seattle University College of Nursing, the University of Washington School of Nursing and Gonzaga University Schools of Law and Nursing. The wide range of topics addressed includes medical malpractice, health professions licensure defense, disability law, elder law, legal issues related to the Affordable Care Act, workplace safety regulation, legislation affecting health care practice, environmental law, culture of safety and hospital consolidation.

Officers of the state chapter are Sofia Aragon (President), Sara Frey (Secretary) and Susan Matt (Treasurer). At TAANA’s conference in November, Susan Matt was elected to the TAANA Board, joining Jonathan Stewart and Alice Dupler, both members of our state chapter. Jonathan is the outgoing president of the national organization and Alice has served on the board for three years.

If you are a nurse attorney or a nurse currently in law school, and you are interested in joining the state chapter, please contact Sofia Aragon at sofiaa@wcnursing.org.