Jun 11, 2018
My guest today is Berthilde Dufrene, nurse, administrator,
published author and inspiring leader. I first learned of
Berthilde, through her relief work in Haiti after the 2010
earthquake. Her mission trip experiences provide a window into this
dedicated, courageous woman. Berthilde founded the Haitian American
Nurses Association (also known as HANA) of Rockland County which
orchestrated much needed humanitarian and medical relief trips.
Under Berthilde’s leadership, HANA shifted focus from recovery to
sustainability. They adopted a National Nursing School in Haiti and
passionately work on raising funds for their Nursing Student
Scholarship Program. Please check the show notes to links for HANA
of Rockland to see how you can support this important endeavor.
Initially Berthilde had 10 years of business experience with IBM
before changing careers into nursing - a career that felt so right
for that she continued her studies, earning her associates,
bachelors, and masters in nursing, and impressively has found time
to complete her coursework for her doctorate in nursing at
Fairleigh Dickinson, as she is currently working on completing her
dissertation.
Berthilde is now the Chief Officer for New York State Office of
Mental Health Corrections Based Operations. She bravely addresses
the foundational conflicts of values between the prison system and
the mental health system. I am grateful that such a thoughtful
woman of integrity is willing to face these challenges as she does
her share to impact positive transformation in both our healthcare
system and the prison system.
Enjoy the podcast!
Links:
HANA 10th anniversary
scholarship award and fundraising event
Many Hands
- film by Susanna Styron
FaceBook: Berthilde
Dufrene
Twitter:
@hanafounder
International Association of Women
(IAW)
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