NYONEL Election Results

Congratulations to newly elected NYONEL Officers!

Kate Valcin, DNP, RN, CCRN-K, NEA-BC, CNL President-Elect, Finger Lakes Region

Wafa Yousef, RN, BSN, CLC, Greater New York, Nassau Suffolk Region

President-Elect Kate Valcin, DNP, RN, CCRN-K, NEA-BC, CNL is the Director of Adult Critical Care Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center: Strong Memorial Hospital and has just concluded a two-year term as FLONEL President. A NYONEL member since 2013, Kate is currently a member of the NYONEL 2021 Program Committee and Co-Chair of the Education Committee. 

In her professional statement on the election ballot, Kate noted the importance of unifying the voices of nurse leaders to advocate for improving the healthcare of our communities:  “As president-elect of NYONEL, I would work with nursing leaders around the state to elevate their voices to promote thoughtful conversations and actions to increase the utilization of nurses to the full scope of their license, define and deliver safe and adequate staffing plans, improve quality of care delivery, promote healthy work environments, and increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the nursing workforce.”

Kate serves as a member (and past Chair) of the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network Community Advisory Board, and is a member of AACN, ANA SCCM, Sigma Theta Tau, AONL, CNLA and GVNA.

Secretary Wafa Yousef, RN, BSN, CLC is the Nurse Manager of Labor and Delivery at NYU Langone Hospital- Brooklyn. Wafa has been a frequent contributor to NYONEL annual conferences and was awarded a 2020 Best Practices Award for her work associated with transformation of equitable care, implementation of Baby Friendly practices and Mother and baby outcomes improvement at her organization.

In her professional statement, Wafa speaks to bringing her experience to bear in the NYONEL Secretary role: “As a new Nurse leader, I have felt the challenges we face on the local, regional, and national levels:  staffing, health care disparities, laws and regulations, and the toll this pandemic has left us with. I find us strong in uniting our voices, and sharing our concerns; being a member of NYONEL has given me this opportunity to connect with other leaders to share and learn.”

Wafa has been a NYONEL member since January, 2019. She is also a member of AWHONN and NAHQ.

Kate and Wafa will transition to their new roles at the September 14th Transition Board Meeting.

Congratulations!