History
The Jamaica Nurses Group Of New York, Inc. (J.N.G. of N.Y., Inc.) formerly The Jamaica Overseas Professional Nurses Club was founded in October 1962, the year Jamaica gained its independence. The idea of forming this organization for nurses residing in New York was conceived by Ivy Theresa Albarus, a registered nurse and its first President. The initial membership of this group consisted of seven colleagues.
The organization materialized as a response to new-comers who required a conduit to obtain guidance and support during their period of adjustment to a new residence and professional role. During the fifty years of its existence, the goals of the organization have expanded to include offering annual scholarship awards to students of Jamaican heritage pursuing their nursing education in an accredited program in any of the five boroughs of New York.
The organization has made significant contributions in the form of financial donations and material and human resources in the USA, Jamaica and other countries in response to expressed needs. A recent human resource involvement is the participation in “Jamaica 2030 Health Care Vision”, a planto improve health care delivery in Jamaica.
Opportunities are routinely provided to facilitate professional, social and cultural advancement of members. Many of whom have continued their educational pursuit and achieved advanced degrees and certificates in nursing specialties that qualify them to hold significant positions in nursing education and service.
In addition, the development of the Caribbean American Nurses Association, Inc. (CANA)was initiated by the J.N.G. of N.Y in the late 1970’s. C.A.N.A. is the umbrella nursing organization for all countries of the Caribbean represented in the USA. The organization maintains affiliation with voting rights in the Caribbean Nurses Organization (CNOI). The primary focus of CANA is to facilitate a combined approach by members of the island organizations to be actively involved in issues related to health, education/research and legislation; particularly in the New York Caribbean communities.
Due to relocation and retirement, the membership of JNG of NY. Inc; has fluctuated over the past years. Several of our members have returned to Jamaica, while others have moved to the sunny South. As we continue in pursuit of our mission, our greatest strength remainsin the dedication and talent of members who comprise the organization.
In the past, we have regarded our anniversaries simply as mile-stones marking the passing of years. This anniversary however, is of particular significance since it indicates that the Jamaica Nurses Group of New York, Inc. has been in existence for fifty years- HALF A CENTURY.
LENA O. WYNTER is a founding member of the Jamaica Nurses Group of New York Inc. In fact, the Group held its inaugural meeting and the majority of its early meetings at Ms. Wynter’s home. Through October 2011 when the Group purchased a mailbox, her home was the official mailing address for the organization.
Ms. Wynter served the organization in many capacities, including as committee chair-person, secretary, treasurer, and vice-president, and four times as president. Ms. Wynter’s presidencies saw very important milestones for the Group, including:
- Conversion from the Jamaica Overseas Professional Nurses Club to the Jamaica Nurses Group of New York.
- Incorporation of the Group (Jamaica Nurses Group of New York Inc.) as a not-for-profit at both the New York State level and the federal level (501(c)(3)).
- Birth of the Caribbean American Nurses Association as an active organization of itself and as an umbrella organization for the Group and similar associations from other Caribbean islands.
Ms. Wynter is also a member of the American Nurses Association and the International Council of Nurses.
Dr Marilyn Parker, founding member of the Jamaica Nurses Group of New York and the Caribbean American Nurses Association received the Nurse of the Year Award at the Caribbean Nurses Organization biennial conference in Aruba, October 2010. She was nominated by the Caribbean American Nurses Association to receive the chapter award for her service and dedication to nursing.Dr Parker retired from Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing where she held the position of Associate Dean. Currently, she is assistant treasurer of the Jamaica Nurses Group of New York and chairperson of the Education Committee.
