NAHN Illinois Celebrates 40 Years of Impact with Honorary Resolution from Cook County

NAHN Illinois Celebrates 40 Years of Impact with Honorary Resolution from Cook County

On Thursday, the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognized the National Association of Hispanic Nurses – Illinois Chapter (NAHN Illinois) with an honorary resolution commemorating the organization’s 40th anniversary and four decades of service, leadership, and impact within the nursing profession and communities across Illinois.

Representing NAHN Illinois at the presentation were President Diana Ortega, President-Elect Rocio Olvera, and Past President Sussie Gonzalez, who proudly accepted the resolution on behalf of the organization and its members, past and present.

Founded in 1986, NAHN Illinois has spent the past 40 years advancing the nursing profession while creating opportunities for Hispanic nurses to grow as leaders, educators, advocates, and community health professionals. Through education, leadership development, mentorship, professional advancement, scholarship, and community engagement, NAHN Illinois has worked to strengthen Hispanic representation within nursing and support the development of future generations of healthcare leaders.

For four decades, NAHN Illinois members have carried forward a commitment to improving health outcomes and addressing the unique needs of Hispanic and underserved communities. From professional development and mentorship to community health initiatives and advocacy, the organization continues to create meaningful opportunities for nurses to connect their professional expertise with service to their communities.

This anniversary recognition is particularly meaningful because it honors not only the organization itself, but also the countless nurses, students, leaders, volunteers, supporters, and community partners who have contributed to the NAHN Illinois legacy since 1986. Their dedication has helped build an organization grounded in service, leadership, representation, advocacy, and a commitment to health equity.

NAHN Illinois extends its sincere gratitude to Commissioner Jessica Vasquez for presenting this honorary resolution and for recognizing the significance of NAHN Illinois’ four decades of contributions to the nursing profession and the communities we serve. We are deeply honored to have our history and continued work acknowledged by the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

We are also grateful to Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya for joining us in celebrating this important milestone.

As NAHN Illinois reflects on 40 years of impact, we celebrate the legacy that brought us here while looking ahead to the future. The work continues — to empower Hispanic nurses, cultivate the next generation of healthcare leaders, strengthen our communities, and ensure that representation, opportunity, and advocacy remain at the heart of the nursing profession.

40 years of legacy. 40 years of leadership. 40 years of impact.

NAHN Illinois — 1986–2026.