News Release – NHNA Appoints Joan Catherine Widmer as New Executive Director

New Hampshire Nurses' Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Joan Catherine Widmer, MS, MSBA, RN, CEN, to become the Association's Executive Director.

After a successful career in multiple corporate accounting and finance roles, culminating in her appointment as Chief Financial Officer of a publicly traded corporation, Ms. Widmer elected to pursue a second career in nursing. She holds a Bachelor's in History and Literature from the University of California, San Diego and a Master's degree in Business Administration at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She completed her first nursing degree at Rivier College School of Nursing and continued to the University of New Hampshire where she graduated with a Master's degree in evidence based practice from the School of Nursing, where she now teaches as a clinical faculty member.

Ms. Widmer was honored with election to the business honor society Beta Gamma Sigma and to the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau. Most recently she practiced at Catholic Medical Center in the Emergency Department where she conducted a practice improvement project for performing an Influenza screen. She has been published in Nursing News and currently has an article in press. She has spoken nationally and internationally on nursing topics. In addition to her nursing license Ms. Widmer is a Certified Emergency Nurse.

New Hampshire Nurses' Association President Bobbie Bagley commented, "The Board of Directors is looking forward to having Ms. Widmer in the role of Executive Director. She brings a strong background in finance and exemplary performances in nursing practice and education that will enhance the leadership of the organization."

When asked about her appointment Ms. Widmer stated "I am excited to join this dynamic organization and to work with so many of New Hampshire's nursing leaders. I look forward to the opportunity to support the members of NHNA and its three commissions on government advocacy, continuing education and nursing practice, and to facilitate the important work they are doing on behalf of New Hampshire's nurses."