We are proud to be distinguished as a nonprofit dedicated to improving patient outcomes through excellence in education. As we approach the beginning of our 40th year, we celebrate our uniqueness and the extraordinary efforts of devotees such as Karen Windle, RNC, MS, WHNP-BC. Karen is a long-standing board member and has served as Board Chair for many years. In a couple of weeks, bolstered with supplies donated by Lions Clubs in Massachusetts, Karen will travel to a tiny village in Gambia, Farato. There she will teach villagers to manage their own basic healthcare, as there are no services locally available. Commonly, Karen treats burns from open cooking fires and foot injuries because no one wears shoes. Malaria is a major problem and children still die from it. But, when given bed nets, families will sell them for food. Karen brings village girls together to learn about menstrual cycles. She distributes handmade “Days for Girls” (DFG), reusable cloth menstrual supplies that will allow them to go to school instead of staying home. She teaches girls about sexuality, the importance of privacy and the power of saying “no.” She teaches villagers to safely deliver babies.

NPACE’s new Disaster Planning and Global Health track in Puerto Rico originated because there is a need for volunteerism in urgent and catastrophic times — in tiny villages like Farato, where time seems to stand still, and in U.S. backyards during fires, hurricanes and terrorism. Nurse practitioners rise to meet abundant needs and we must be educated when that need arises. If you are interested, please visit our website and check out how you can be ready by attending our 2020 conference in Puerto Rico. You can also email us at npace@npace.org. We will let you know how to get involved.

Visit FutureforFarato to learn more about where Karen volunteers.

And, from NPACE to you, have a warm and wonderful holiday season.