The Indian Nurses Association of New York (INANY) celebrated this year’s Nurse Practitioner Week with a series of educational programs. Held at the Kerala Center in Elmont, NY, the event featured presentations by Nurse Practitioners on crucial topics such as social health, serious health conditions, treatment options, and strategies for leading a healthy life.
The event welcomed Kimberly Velez, the Secretary of the New York Chapter of the American Nurses Association (ANA), as the chief guest. Anto Paul, INANY’s Chair of the Education and Professional Development Committee, opened the session by welcoming the audience. President Dr. Anna George emphasized the invaluable contributions of Nurse Practitioners to the healthcare field and highlighted INANY’s endeavors over the years to support underserved communities, nursing students and social health initiatives.
In light of the surge in anti-Asian hate crimes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coalition of Asian American Children and Families (CACF) has partnered with INANY to address this social health crisis. The grant INANY received is being utilized to provide education and training for potential victims and bystanders. During the event, Dr. Anna George, Dr. Soleymol Kuruvilla, and Dr. Ani Jacob presented a training program known as “5D Bystander Intervention” for nurses to help combat these issues.
Heart attacks remain a leading cause of death in the United States, with someone experiencing one every forty seconds. Shiny Xavier and Laicy Mecheril, two experienced Nurse Practitioners, conducted an interactive session titled “Myocardial Infarction: Timely Intervention”. They brought up the latest knowledge and evidence-based interventions in treating heart attacks. Bessy Thankavelu, another expert in the field, presented “A Perspective on Women and Heart Disease” and discussed how heart attack symptoms can differ for women, often leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.
Dr. Shabnam Multani discussed the benefits of Tai Chi in preventing falls among older adults, explaining how slow controlled movements by Tai Chi can enhance balance, stability, and overall body awareness. This can effectively reduce the risk of fall. Additionally, Bejit Joseph, a physical therapist, provided practical tips for improving body posture at home and work to alleviate back, neck, and shoulder pain.
All attendees received continuing education credits approved by APRN World. Nurse Practitioner Week, celebrated in November, is a time to acknowledge the essential role of Nurse Practitioners in healthcare. With a growing shortage of physicians, especially in rural areas, Nurse Practitioners are stepping in to fill the gap. Currently, there are 385,000 Nurses Practitioners in the U.S., many practicing in hospitals and healthcare settings, managing less complex cases. While some studies suggest patients prefer medical doctors with more education, those who have experienced care from both Nurse Practitioners and doctors often report no significant difference in care quality. In fact, many appreciate that Nurse Practitioners can dedicate more time to patient education on prevention and healthy living.
Kimberly Velez, the chief guest, expressed gratitude for the extensive services provided by Indian Nurses in healthcare and the community. She thanked INANY for supporting higher nursing education and for the invaluable contributions to society. Sini Bobby, Chair of the APRN committee of INANY gave the vote of thanks.
