Honor Lucia Alfano's Service

23, 2018 WHEREAS, Women's History Month, celebrated each year in March, is a time to reflect upon and pay tribute to the women of our State and Nation for their contributions to their communities and their professions; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that women of every economic, ethnic, and religious background have made significant contributions to their community and to the State of New York, and it is appropriate to recognize them and to publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Lucia Alfano upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition at the 2nd Annual Women's History Month Celebration to be feted on Friday, March 23, 2018, at the Grinton I. Will Library in Yonkers, New York; and WHEREAS, Lucia Alfano has truly devoted herself to the welfare of her community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Lucia Alfano earned her associate's degree in nursing from Queensborough Community College, and her bachelor's degree in nursing from Mercy College; she furthered her education by obtaining her master's degree in nursing education from Pace University; currently, she is pursuing her doctorate at Columbia University; and WHEREAS, A former Assistant Professor of Nursing at Concordia College, Lucia Alfano is a well-known, nationally recognized public health nurse and advocate who focuses her time and energy on diversity, nursing leadership, mentoring, and building innovative cross-sector partnerships to cultivate a culture of health throughout New York State and the United States; and WHEREAS, In this role, Lucia Alfano has founded senior citizen programs, student programs, and professional nursing programs which have led to supporting rising leaders, influencing health policy, and improving health outcomes of hundreds of individuals; and WHEREAS, Lucia Alfano serves as a Culture of Health Ambassador, and a Culture of Health Coach for the Future of Nursing: New York State Action Coalition (NYSAC), Campaign for Action, supported by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), and AARP; she is also a vital member of the diversity and steering committees of NYSAC; in these capacities, she has taught over 60,000 individuals how to build safer, healthier and more equitable communities; and WHEREAS, As founding President of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Westchester County, Lucia Alfano has partnered with organizations such as the American Heart Association and others to raise funds and reach thousands of vulnerable minorities and clinicians to advance her diversity agenda throughout New York City and Westchester County; and WHEREAS, Lucia Alfano is a contributing author of the book entitled The Power of Ten: Nurse Leaders Address the Profession's Ten Most Pressing Issues; she diligently works to form partnerships with community stakeholders to transform and improve health care delivery systems through the utilization of nursing leadership; and WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her profession and community, Lucia Alfano has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the 2015 Culture of Health Breakthrough Nurse Leader Award by RWJF National Campaign for Action, the 2017 Nurse of the Year Award by the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, and the 40 Under 40 Award; she was also named a National Ambassador of Health and a Nursing Game Changer by Nurse.com; and WHEREAS, In addition to her work in the nursing field, Lucia Alfano serves on the Board of Directors of R.A.I.N. Inc., Total Care, in Bronx, New York; this multi-social service agency offers a myriad of community services to undeserved and vulnerable communities; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Lucia Alfano upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition at the 2nd Annual Women's History Month Celebration on March