DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich., April 22, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The inaugural conference of the American Arab Nurses Association (AANA) will be held Thursday, May 19th, at Burton Manor, Livonia, Mich. "Building Cultural Bridges in Health Care" will explore the value of cultural competency in clinical practice; the variances in cross-cultural communication; healthcare workplace cultural diversity; and healthcare beliefs and practices in Arab-, African-, and Hispanic-American cultures.
For the first time, a physicians' professional organization will join forces with a nursing organization to educate doctors on transcultural nursing. In a major development, the National Arab American Medical Association will encourage attendance by its members by awarding six CMEs.
Nurses will receive 6.5 contact hours through Davenport University's School of Nursing. They may also submit an abstract for their poster presentation on Transcultural Nursing.
Dr. Madeleine Leininger, the pioneer of transcultural nursing theory and practice and the founder of the Transcultural Nursing Society, is the keynote speaker. She will speak on "Transcultural Nursing -- The Only Way to Care."
Dr. Larry Purnell of the University of Delaware will discuss "Patient Communication across the Cultures."
A panel discussion will probe "Problem Solving Relating to Workplace Cultural Diversity" with representatives of the medical and corporate worlds. The healthcare beliefs and practices of Arab-American, African-American and Hispanic-American patients will be discussed to provide better care for these communities.
Cost for the day-long conference is $70 until March 31 and $100 beginning April 1. Students enrolled in a healthcare curriculum can attend for $30, which includes the conference, ethnic foods at lunch and breaks, and conference handouts.
Founded in April 2002 as a 501c3 non-profit organization, AANA is a voice, a network and a resource for men and women pursuing employment and advancement in the nursing profession as well as fostering knowledge of cultural diversity and sensitivity between members and the community in the area of transcultural healthcare.
Allegiance Home Healthcare and Nursing Spectrum magazine are partnering with AANA to present this conference. Additional sponsors include Wayne State University School of Nursing, Oakwood Healthcare System, ACCESS, National Arab-American Medical Association, Davenport University, Garden City Hospital, Henry Ford Health System, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, DTE Energy, Ford Motor Company, St. John Health System, Oakland University and Wayne County Health Department. More than 30 companies and organizations will exhibit their products and services during the May 19th conference.
More information is available by calling 313-982-4070 or 313-996-3090 or by visiting www.americanarabnurses.org.
The American Arab Nurses Association logo is available at: