American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN)

Reflecting the SONHS’ growing national reputation for academic excellence, diversity and inclusivity in nursing education, the school’s chapter of the American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN) was selected to host the organization’s annual conference, which took place at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Miami September 22-24, 2016.
The AAMN is a national advocacy group that seeks to shape practice, education, research, and leadership for men in nursing while advancing men’s health. The SONHS houses the only chapter of the AAMN in Florida.

The title of this year’s meeting was, “Shifting the Tides: Promoting Diversity and Inclusivity in Nursing,” at theme which AAMN faculty advisor Tony Roberson said made the SONHS, a particularly appropriate host for the event. The school has a minority student population of 56%, and also exceeds national averages in terms of male faculty and male student enrollment.

Roberson, who is Associate Professor of Clinical at the school and also serves on the AMMN’s national executive board, explained, “Diversity and inclusivity is interwoven into the academic, research, and service mission of our school. Our parent institution, the University of Miami, is just as strongly committed to creating a welcoming climate for individuals of all genders and cultures, and Miami itself is one of the nation’s most cosmopolitan cities. It all just fits, and we were thrilled to be asked to host the annual meeting.”

A busy three days of scientific poster and podium presentations, along with panels and roundtable discussions, were launched with the opening keynote address delivered by SONHS Dean Nilda (Nena) Peragallo Montano. In her presentation, titled “Striving for diversity and inclusivity in nursing: Beyond our borders,” Dean Peragallo Montano identified the compelling relationship between diversity in the nursing workforce and health equity for all populations. This message connected with the AAMN membership, since increasing the numbers of men in the nursing workforce as a way of supporting men’s health issues is one of the goals of the organization.

“It was an honor for a student organization like ours to have a role in hosting such an exciting three days,” said AAMN President Brandon Hall, an accelerated-track nursing student who will graduate in December. “It gives our school’s AAMN chapter a very visible role in the national nursing community.”