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Professional Nursing and Health Care Council

The Profes­sional Nursing and Health Care Council (PNHCC) is respon­sible for addressing nursing practice issues. Primary focus is given to the adher­ence to ethical, profes­sional and legal standards of nursing practice. The PNHCC meets at least three times a year and reports to the Board of Directors.

Functions of the Council

  • Monitor workforce and work environment trends, funding and political activity and assess how they will impact nursing and health care.
  • Follow the American Nurses Association's "Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice" and "Code of Ethics for Nurses" as bases for the practice of nursing.
  • Promote and help develop continuing education programs for nurses.
  • Address issues of nursing practice that have been identified by members of the nursing profession and the public.
  • Collaborate with other nursing and specialty organizations on nursing issues and other health care concerns.
  • Develop resources on issues related to nursing practice, education, human rights and access to health care.
  • Promote equity in nursing practice by developing strategies to confront and address inequities in nursing that negatively impact persons of color and historically marginalized groups.
  • Advocate for culturally competent nursing environments, including nursing practice, education, research, ethics and human rights.
  • Appoint task forces to complete specific projects.

Members of the Council (2021-2023)

Chuck Cumiskey, MBA, BSN, RN
Chair
Chuck Cumiskey, MBA, BSN, RN
Olympia
Administration
Rachel Wang Martinez, MHA, BSN, RN
Seattle
Antwinett Lee, EdD, MSN-CNS, BSN, RN
Education
Antwinett Lee, EdD, MSN-CNS, BSN, RN
Lynnwood
Rosa Young, MSN, MPA, BSN, RN
Ethics and Human Rights
Rosa Young, MSN, MPA, BSN, RN
Seattle
Anne Hirsch, PhD, ARNP, FAANP, FAAN
Research
Anne Hirsch, PhD, ARNP, FAANP, FAAN
Seattle
Pamela Pasquale, MN, RN
At-Large
Pamela Pasquale, MN, RN
Wenatchee
Mikey Anne O'Sullivan, MSN, BSN, RN
Member, Appointed
Mikey Anne O'Sullivan, MSN, BSN, RN
Spokane
Suzanne Scott, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Member, Appointed
Suzanne Scott, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Lacey
Member, Appointed
Joan Owens, PhD, RN
Spokane
Lynnette Vehrs, MN, RN
WSNA President
Lynnette Vehrs, MN, RN
Spokane
David Keepnews, PhD, JD, RN, FAAN
WSNA Executive Director
David Keepnews, PhD, JD, RN, FAAN
Seattle
Affiliate organization representative
Jamilia Sherls-Jones, MSN, DNP, MPH, RN, CDP, CPN
Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization
Yuting Lin, PhD, MSN, RN
Affiliate organization representative
Yuting Lin, PhD, MSN, RN
Pacific-Northwest Chinese Nurses Association
Gloria Brigham, EdD, MN, RN
WSNA Advisor, Director of Nursing Practice
Gloria Brigham, EdD, MN, RN