About IPHNA

The purpose of IPHNA is to promote quality public health nursing services in the State of Illinois through:

● communication and information exchange on local, state, and federal levels,
● participation in state planning and decision making for public health services,
including promotion of public health nursing roles at the state level
● educational activities directed to the needs of Public Health Nurse Leaders
● advocating for Public Health Nursing in Illinois

History

The original title of the organization was Illinois Association of Local Health Department Nursing Administrators. 1972 was the organizational year. The initial issue that brought nursing administrators together was that of minimum standards for nursing positions in the LHD. IDPH used a committee to determine the standards. There was no nurse on the committee.

This process fueled the determination of the nursing administrators to organize to have a voice in the standards and practices of public health nursing in Illinois. On September 18, 1972, an organizational meeting was held at the Ramada Inn in Champaign. Marcia Cruthis from Tazwell County was elected president. A By-Laws Committee was appointed with the purpose of reporting proposed by-laws for the organization at the next meeting. The Constitution and By-Laws were presented, discussed and adopted at the November 28, 1972 meeting. And so began the journey.