Greetings to All IntNSA Members!

As we move along quickly through the Fall season and into Winter, and the Holidays upon us, I hope this finds you all well!  Here in the Denver area, we had temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s F, and then just over 2 weeks ago, we had the biggest snowstorm in the month of November that we have had in 41 years. Not at all expected and I still see a good bit of snow out my back window with the temperature back up today to low 60s F!

Focusing on our 48th Annual Conference in Orlando, March, 2025

At this time, I want to concentrate on our upcoming conference. The Conference Committee, with Matt Walters as the Chair, has been very busy on all aspects of putting the conference together at the Renaissance Resort in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World. This should be a fantastic venue at ‘the Happiest Place in the World’ as they say!

Currently, all abstracts have been received and the abstract committee has reviewed all of the abstracts. Acceptance notices are expected to be emailed on Tuesday this week. We expect the Conference Program to be complete by mid-December, and available on our website. At that time, we will work to spread the word, with all of your help, please (!), to make sure our 47th Annual Conference is a success and well attended.

AND, did you know that IntNSA will be 50 years old in 2025??? 

You can review the history of IntNSA on our website, and we will certainly be doing some type of celebration in Orlando regarding the fact that we are an organization (that has been through name changes), but, nonetheless, we are 50 YEARS OLD!

IntNSA’s ask of all members is, again, please spread the news to your colleagues about our conference.  We all know that addictions is a global issue, and there are many many co-occurring mental and physical disorders, along with many other issues, that we will focus on at the conference.  As IntNSA says, “EVERY NURSE IS AN ADDICTIONS NURSE”, and IntNSA focuses on many different areas of expertise in education to care for those with addictions.

We also need Exhibitors and Sponsors. These are people who contribute to the conference by sharing their products and services with us, and also contribute to IntNSA generating revenue for IntNSA to continue the mission and work of IntNSA.  If you have friends, colleagues, acquaintances,  or anyone who works with products or own products that our members can use to help people with addictions, encourage them to join us in Orlando. Attached is a copy of our Exhibitors and Sponsors document that you can share with anyone you know.

Exhibit & Sponsor Flyer

Spotlight on IntNSA’s Keynote Speakers in Orlando

We have an exciting line up of Keynote Speakers. You will see more of their bios in the conference program, and on IntNSA’s Social Media: but let me highlight our Keynote Speakers here and give you an idea of how honored we are to have them with us. But, do come and see for yourself!

Keynote Speakers at the IntNSA 2025 Annual Conference

Dr. Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Dr Cipriano is the current President of The International Council of Nurses (ICN), and she has been in that role since 2021. The ICN is the overall umbrella of more than 130 professional nursing organizations around the globe working to influence the role of nurses everywhere. Dr Cipriano is a true friend to Addictions Nurses, and it was Dr Cipriano’s guidance and influence that helped IntNSA to become one of nine Specialist Affiliate Organizations of the ICN back in 2019.

Michelle Acorn, DNP, NP PHC/Adult, MN/ACNP, BScN/PHCNP, FCAN, FAAN, GCNC, FFNMRCSI, FQNI
Dr Acorn is the past Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Advanced Practice Nurses Network/ICN. Dr Acorn has worked tirelessly and vigorously in spreading and growing the recognition of the work of Advanced Practice Nurses globally. Currently, Dr Acorn is the CEO of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario, Canada. Dr Acorn is one of four editors of the recent book, “Advanced Practice Nurses Networking to Enhance Global Health. She is a true leader in raising awareness of the role of advanced practice nurses globally.

Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dr Malone is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National League for Nursing (NLN). The NLN Nursing Commission for Nursing Education (NCNE) accredits the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) and Diploma RN Programs. The NLN promotes excellence and integrity in nursing education globally through their values-driven accreditation process. As IntNSA works to
welcome LPNs to our organization, we are privileged to have Dr Malone speak.

Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, PhD, MPH, LCSW, RN, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAAN
Dr Vincent Guilamo-Ramos is the Executive Director of The Institute for Policy Solutions at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, in Baltimore. Dr Guilamo-Ramos work has promoted nurse-led models of integrated clinical and social care and raises awareness of inequities in some of the most pressing health issues of our time, certainly one being that of substance use disorders/addictions.

Acknowledging Padgett Mozingo!

A huge Shout Out to Padgett Mozingo, our Social Media Expert, who has been sending out our Keynote announcements, calls for abstracts, and Sponsor and Exhibitor information for our conference on our Social Media of Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Padgett will be in Orlando to help us to push out all of the events!

Let’s all work to get a very good attendance record and an excellent number of Exhibitors and Sponsors at our 48th Annual Conference in Orlando. And I thank you in advance for all that you do and for all of your support.

• Achieved the level of Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of São Paulo, in August 2024.
• Completed the training of the Pilot Training on Universal Nursing Addictions Curriculum, which was held from 24 to 28 June 2024 in Thessaloniki, Greece.
• Presented at The Art of Healing Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece in June 2024.   

Divane de Vargas, PhD; School of Nursing of São Paulo University, Brazil

• IntNSA Brazil Chapter Founding Member, Divane de Vargas, is now the Coordinator of the Policy of Substance Abuse in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Gabriela de Andrade Boska, PhD, BSN; Porto Alegre, Brazil

• IntNSA Brazil Chapter Treasurer, Gabriela is now the Management Coordinator of the Psychosocial Care Network in the field of addictions at the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

IntNSA Europe

Adrian Jugdoyal,  FIAAN, FHEA, FRSA, FRSPH
President-Elect: IntNSA

IntNSA Europe members actively participated in the Lisbon 2024 conference, contributing significantly to the event's success. Members presented their cutting-edge research, showcasing the latest advancements and insights in addiction nursing.

Besides the research presentations, IntNSA Europe delivered a dedicated session highlighting nurses' critical role in nursing and widening the participation of nurses working, studying and researching addiction care in Europe. This session underscored the unique skills and perspectives that nursing professionals bring to addressing addiction-related challenges, emphasizing their vital role in holistic patient care and recovery support.

This engagement reflects IntNSA Europe's ongoing commitment to advancing the practice and science of addiction nursing globally.

Happy Holidays!

As we head into the Holidays, on behalf of the Board of Directors from IntNSA Global, we wish you all the Happiest of Holidays with your family and your loved ones in enjoying the traditions that you love!

Dana Murphy-Parker, MS, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FIAAN
President: IntNSA