Indian Nurses Association of New York Celebrates 20th year milestone

Indian Nurses Association of New York (INANY) is at the final behind-the-stage preparations to celebrate the 20th years of its impactful work in advancing health, wellness, education, and equity. The event will be held at Cotillion Caterers, in Jericho, Long Island. Dr. Catherine Alicia Georges, chair of the Nursing Department at Lehman College and president of AARP will be the keynote speaker. She is a recipient of ‘Living Legend’, the highest honor from American Academy of Nursing. Jumane Williams, the public advocate of New York City, Nassau County legislator Carrie Solages, Rockland County legislator Dr. Aney Paul, and Town of Hempstead Clerk Ragini Srivastava will be the other guest speakers. Annie Sabu, the convenor of the event said that final preparations are underway. Dr. Anna George, the president of INANY, and Associate Professor at Molloy University said that she is hopeful of Congressman Tom Suozzi’s presence at the event.

INANY, the organization that acts as the voice of Indian nurses in New York state, since its inception in 2004, has been playing a vital role in supporting the Indian nursing community by providing continuing education. While not exclusively focused on nursing, INANY serves as a bridge between cultures, fostering social engagement, education, charity, promoting higher nursing education through collaboration with Grand Canyon University, and supporting nursing education through merit and need based scholarships.

The Association has extended its reach beyond New York state by participating in relief efforts after natural calamities in the southern states, Philippines, India, and Haiti. Its efforts for health promotion included conducting health fairs providing essential health screenings and health education in underserved areas in Long Island, Queens, and Rockland County in New York. Recognizing the critical need for blood donations, INANY has actively participated in facilitating blood drives. These efforts contribute to saving lives and fostering a culture of giving back. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent alarming surge in anti-Asian bias, discrimination, hate incidents, and xenophobia, INANY demonstrated unwavering commitment to mitigating anti-Asian hate incidents by conducting Bystander Intervention education and training in various segment of the society. They did it in collaboration with Coalition of Asian American Families and Children and with a grant from New York state. By addressing both physical health and emotional well-being, INANY exemplifies the spirit of compassion and resilience that defines nursing professionals worldwide.
INANY was founded in 2004 under the initiative of Dr. Aney Paul who is currently the vice chair of Rockland County legislature. Since its inception, the organization has been catalyzing the transformation of the immigrant Indian nursing community’s pivotal role in promoting health and well-being through higher academic education, lifelong learning, leadership development, nursing research and evidence-based practice, and community engagement and outreach. The Association’s membership comprises of bedside nurses, chief nursing officers and healthcare administrators, university professors, nurse scientists, and nurse practitioners.

INANY is currently led by Dr. Anna George, an Associate Professor at Molloy University, Dr. Shyla Roshan, Chief Nursing Officer at South Beach Psychiatric Center, Alphy Sundroop, a Nurse Educator at Nassau University Medical Center and team of nurses from all levels of healthcare arena.