American Nurses Association Applauds the Launch of the Pandemic Preparedness OfficeAugust 11, 2023 SILVER SPRING, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA), representing the nation’s more than 5 million registered nurses, applauds the Biden-Harris Administration for launching the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy (OPPR) on July 22, 2023. According to a fact sheet issued by the White House, OPPR will be a permanent office in the Executive office of the President (EOP) that will lead actions to strengthen our nation’s preparedness for, and response to, known and unknown biological threats or pathogens that could lead to a pandemic. “ANA supports this necessary action, which will help our nation course correct and show a recommitment to rebuilding our public health infrastructure and workforce,” said ANA Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hatmaker, PhD, RN, FAAN. “As the OPPR begins to plan and implement actions and policies, we urge them to include public health nurses in key discussions and decisions. Our nation’s public health nursing workforce is adept in quickly assuming diverse roles in direct clinical services, collaborating with community members across sectors, coordinating interdisciplinary care across health departments and community-based clinics, and providing expert leadership in a variety of public health arenas. During COVID-19, this nimble group of nurses established complex contact tracing efforts, provided timely education on prevention measures to slow the spread, and urged all adults and children to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. Undoubtedly, we owe our public health nurses an enormous debt for their unwavering efforts that contributed to the end the COVID-19 pandemic. ANA looks forward to future opportunities to collaborate with the Biden-Harris Administration and Major General (ret) Paul Friedrichs on the efforts of the OPPR.” CONTACT: |