Janice M. Bell, Author at International Family Nursing Association

Dr. Suja Somanadhan Studies Child and Family Health and Wellbeing in Ireland

Suja Somanadhan, PhD, MSc, BA (Hons), HDip (Children’s Nursing), RCN, RGN, RNT is an assistant professor of Children’s Nursing at the University College Dublin (UCD) School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems. Her research focuses on translating care for people with rare genetic diseases into practice using Integrated Family System-based research approaches. Currently, she is leading several research projects related to child and family health and wellbeing. They include measuring the impact of caring for children with rare diseases (IMPACT Study), giving a voice to the children and their families with rare diseases through sand play, arts, music, photovoice, and interviews (SAMPI Project), the Rare Disease Research Partnership (RAinDRoP), and the Co-Designing Head Safety Interventions with Children Project (Co-HSi Project).

In 2020, Dr. Somanadhan received national health research project funding to lead an international collaborative project: How can we help children adjust to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond?

Dr. Somanadhan is an active member of the IFNA UK/Ireland Chapter and is currently serving as the IFNA country liaison for Ireland. For more information contact IFNA member, Suja Somanadhan.

LinkedIn: dr-suja-somanadhan-45321b24

Twitter: Suja Somanadhan@sujas15

IFNA Statement to Promote Family Advocacy

On October 5, 2018, IFNA President Dr. Jane Lassetter (USA), issued a statement outlining Policy Guidelines for IFNA Response to Events that Affect Family Well-being.

Since then, several events throughout the world have once again highlighted the challenges families face as a result of local and national policies, politics, and laws as well as natural disasters and violence. As a result, many families are suffering. Please do not let the ubiquitous nature of these challenges cause your hearts and minds to grow numb to these families’ needs. While we recognize that IFNA members are incredibly busy family nurses and family health scholars, we call upon you to carve out time to advocate for families where you are and in whatever way will be effective in your location. Use IFNA’s Core Values to guide you. Be informed. Vote. Write letters to political leaders. Attend meetings and speak up on behalf of families. Basically, whatever your local or national challenges may be, please use your passion for families to advocate for them.

This statement was drafted by IFNA President, Dr. Jane Lassetter (USA) ; IFNA Vice-President, Dr. Sonja Meiers (USA); and IFNA Past President, Dr. Carole Robinson (Canada).

American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA) Position Statement: AFTA Grieves AFTA Persists

On October 16, 2018, a family organization called the American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA) issued a new Position Statement titled AFTA Grieves AFTA Persists to identify AFTA’s ongoing and grave concerns about the well-being of families in the USA.

IFNA President, Dr. Jane Lassetter, recently outlined a policy to guide IFNA responses to national and international events that impact family health and well-being.

The International Family Nursing Association (IFNA) Board of Directors wishes to share the concerns raised in the AFTA Position Statement with all IFNA members.

IFNA President, Jane Lassetter, Outlines Policy Guidelines for IFNA Response to Events That Affect Family Well-being

On October 5, 2018, IFNA President, Dr. Jane Lassetter, issued a statement which outlined policy guidelines to govern IFNA’s response to national and international issues/events affecting family well-being: https://conta.cc/2OMGSXJ.

The IFNA Core Values Statement will be reiterated:

IFNA’s core values embrace a compassionate family focus on social justice, human dignity, and respect for all.

To better support and communicate the IFNA Core Values, the IFNA President and Board of Directors will evaluate issues/events guided by these five main questions:

1. Does the issue relate or go against IFNA’s core values?
2. Does the issue have international significance?
3. How does the issue relate to family nursing globally?
4. What is the impact of not responding and remaining silent?
5. What is the impact of responding and formally taking a stand?

In some instances, the IFNA Board of Directors will evoke a Call to Action, such as providing information to IFNA members to take action on a personal level that would advocate for change or wider response to the issue/event.

IFNA members are invited to offer your comments or questions about these guidelines: contact IFNA President, Dr. Jane Lassetter.

Dr. Roxanne Wilson Advocates for Family Assessment and Intervention in Health Care Settings

Roxanne Wilson, PhD, RN, led the initiative to achieve the 4^th Magnet Recognition at St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA in May 2018. She returned to St. Cloud State University, Department of Nursing this fall as a nurse educator in the undergraduate nursing research, mental health nursing, nursing leadership, and capstone courses. Dr. Wilson incorporates the family experience in her teaching and has interest and expertise in translating research into practice. Recognizing the need for more family assessment and intervention in health care settings, she received grant funding to incorporate a marriage and family therapist into the interdisciplinary team in the Survivorship Program at the St. Cloud Hospital Coborn Cancer Center.

Dr. Wilson is currently serving as a new member of the IFNA Education Committee. For more information contact IFNA member, Roxanne Wilson.