The Colorado Public Health Association (CPHA) Nursing Section members are Public Health Nurses (PHNs) employed in urban and rural settings as well as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), fulfilling diverse and complex roles. Our mission is to promote healthy communities by enhancing the practice of public health nursing. Our vision is to provide a voice for public health nursing, assuring healthy people in healthy communities. Our purpose is to promote and support the mission, vision, and goals of Colorado public health nurses and the profession of public health nursing. Our values include health equity, advocacy, a diverse workforce, connection, collaboration, and active participation. New members and early careerists will receive support, mentorship, and the ability to network with other public health nurses frequently. Our membership is currently approximately 85 PHNs.

This fall, during the CPHA annual conference, the following PHNs were recognized with the following awards.

• Lillian Wald: Awarded to Kim Crouch-Newcom, RN, Teller County
  The Lillian Wald Award is given to a public health nurse who demonstrates leadership skills among peers and the community; has practiced a minimum of 5 years; and is creative, resourceful, and innovative in addressing public health concerns in the community.
• Frontier Nurse of the Year: Awarded to Mona Lovato, RN, Deputy Director of Saguache County
  This award recognizes a Public Health Nurse who has demonstrated exemplary service in a local public health agency located in a Colorado rural/frontier community. Mona is an extraordinary person, nurse, and Public Health Director. She is highly skilled, extremely knowledgeable, and a compassionate team player who consistently displays and promotes the highest ethical standards.

  Congratulations to these exemplary nurses.

In addition, new officers were installed. The following nurses will serve as leadership for the years 2024-2025.

President: Roberta Smith, MSPH, RN, CIC, CIH (rsmith@co.routt.co.us)

CPHA Board Representative: Angie Fellers-Lemire (angela.fellersmire@state.co.us)

Secretary: Marcie Clendenen, BSN-RN (mclendenen@jacksoncountyco.gov)

President-Elect: Rebecca (Becca) Miles, BSN, RN, Doctoral student

The PHN Section initiated a new mentoring program this fall to support new and experienced PHNs to further develop their competencies and skills or to advance their career in Public Health. For more information about our activities and programs please feel free to reach out to our representatives listed above or join us for a meeting. We currently meet via a Zoom platform on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. If you would like to join a meeting, please contact Roberta Smith at rsmith@co.routt.co.us.