Hello NTNC Members,

Thank you all for joining today’s all-member call! If you didn’t have a chance to attend, a brief re-cap includes meeting the 2023-2024 board (see attached board member contacts), hearing updates from committees, and briefly hearing from members about how NTNC can support their work.

We do hope to meet like this again early next year to talk about TB issues in member areas; while we just touched the surface today, there is a need to re-group and hear what is happening across the US, and what matters to TB nurses and NTNC coalition members. So, stay tuned for the next all-member call.

Congratulations to Cherie Helfrich from Columbia, MD!! She won our raffle prize: The Black Angels by Maria Smilios: 9780593544921 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books.

Here are the current involvement opportunities for NTNC members that we discussed today:

1. Corrections Committee:
1. A joint NTCA/NTCA group that collaborates with correctional partners to meet mutual needs
2. Opportunity: this group is open to new members. Krystle Mallory (NH) chairs this committee.
3. Email krystle.l.mallory@dhhs.nh.gov for meeting invitations.

2. Webinar Committee and the Education Committee:
1. This committee identifies areas of interest to coalition members which includes hosting periodic webinars and identifying educational opportunities. Patty Woods (NJ) is retiring after many years of dedicated TB and NTNC service (thank you Patty!) and Lana Dov (WA) will chair the education committee.
2. Opportunity: this group is open and looking for members.
3. Contact: lana.dov@doh.wa.gov

3. NTNC Nurse Professional Development Day a the NTCA conference:
1. The planning committee has posed topics for discussion at the NTCA nursing session, April 2024 in Baltimore, MD. Cherie Stafford (AZ) is leading the planning committee.
2. Opportunity: While the planning committee is now closed, they are looking for speaks for the NTCA conference.
3. Contact: cherie.stafford@azdhs.gov

4. Retired Nurse Network:
1. This is a new ad-hoc workgroup to engage newly retired TB nurses.
2. Contact: elizabeth.foy@dshs.texas.gov

5. Running for the 2024-2025 NTNC Board:
1. Elections will be held after the April 2024 conference
2. Open positions include: Incoming President, High Burden Representative

Finally, we asked how NTNC can support you. What was shared will be a conversation during NTNC board meetings as we continue to engage members and see what matters to coalition members. These included:  

Thank you all,

Elizabeth Foy, MSN, RN

Tuberculosis and Hansen’s Disease Nurse Administrator

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

TB and Hansen’s Disease Unit

Mailing Address: MC 1939 / P.O. 149347, Austin, TX  78756-9347

Physical Address: 201 W. Howard Lane, Austin, TX 78753

Work Cell: 512-806-4334

Fax: 512-989-4010

texastb.org

dshs.texas.gov/idcu/disease/hansens