TAANA Foundation, Inc.
The foundation raises funds through contributions from nurse attorneys and other interested groups and individuals. Contributions are deductible as charitable donations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Message from the Foundation President
The mission of the TAANA Foundation is to educate the public and members of the legal and health professions about the impact of legal decisions and legislation upon the health care delivery system and its participants.
In 1984 the Foundation was created as a charitable organization under 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, charitable donations made to the Foundation, either as cash or items, are deductible for the donor. The Foundation is exempt from taxation as well. Donations made to TAANA, however, are not tax deductible. So the Foundation was created two years after TAANA as another mechanism to carry out some aspects of the mission central to both organizations.
The Foundation was funded with an initial generous grant of $10,000 by Mr. and Mrs. Northrop, Cynthia Northrop's parents. Cynthia was the visionary behind the creation of TAANA and a founding member until 1989 when she sadly passed away from cancer. Her work lives on through both TAANA and the Foundation.
Its goals are to sponsor multi-disciplinary education programs on issues relevant to health care law and nursing; to disseminate information to the public concerning health care rights and responsibilities in order to support individual participation in health care decision making; to develop scholarly publications which analyze developments and trends in health care law; to educate members of the nursing profession; to recognize outstanding nurse attorneys through the Cynthia Northrop Distinguished Service Award; to recognize individuals or groups who make significant contributions to the development of health law, nursing or policy and to seek funding to establish scholarship programs for nurses in law school, lawyers in nursing school and nurse attorneys.
The Foundation carries out it goals by annually assisting in the sponsorship of the TAANA educational program through sponsorship of speaker fees and other expenses associated with the program.
The Foundation provided the funding for the publication costs of the revised Model Curriculum. The Foundation has also funded various students' attendance at the annual meeting and educational conference over the years. Most of the Foundation's activities are carried out in conjunction with TAANA.
The Foundation has developed a three year plan for fundraising aimed at providing financial stability for operations and grants and educational projects. The plan provides for an exciting activity of an annual grant (albeit small) to a needy local community organization where TAANA holds its annual meeting. This outreach effort contributes to the mission of TAANA and the Foundation by developing relationships with other non-profit organizations and healthcare communities.
In order to continue with its educational and outreach activities and goals, the Foundation relies on the generous contributions of its donors like you, the members of TAANA and the public.
Please remember the Foundation's good work when you write your annual membership dues check or register for TAANA's annual conference and consider contributing even a small amount or a silent auction item to help support and continue the Foundation's worthwhile efforts.
Thank you for your continued support and generosity, and I look forward to seeing you at the annual conference!
Jackie Walus-Wigle
President, TAANA Foundation
Donate to the TAANA Foundation
The TAANA Foundation could not exist without donations from generous individuals like you. Please consider donating to the TAANA Foundation using our safe and convenient online donation form. You may also download our printable donation form. All contributions are accepted and greatly appreciated.
The TAANA Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity. Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
TAANA Foundation Board of Directors
- Elizabeth Beall, President
- Jackie Walus-Wigle, Immediate Past President
- Trudy Kiaunis, Treasurer
- Diane Kjervik, Secretary
- Joanne Sheehan, Director
- Kathleen McCormac, Director
- Paula DiMeo Grant, Director
- Tonia Aiken, Director
- Edie Brouse, Director
- Diane Warlick, Director
To access the TAANA Foundation board-only page, CLICK HERE.
Foundation Silent Auction
Each year the TAANA Foundation holds its Silent Auction during the TAANA Annual Meeting & Educational Conference, with the purpose of supporting its mission to educate the public and members of the legal and health professions about the impact of legal decisions and legislation upon the health care delivery system and its participants. We encourage and thank you for your donations and support.
Support the TAANA Foundation by donating an item for the 2010 TAANA Foundation Silent Auction. Donations are tax-deductible. Don't delay – the deadline for donations is September 10, 2010!
Foundation Awards
Mary Eleanor McGarvah Award
The Foundation has established a humanitarian award in honor of Mary Eleanor McGarvah, the first nurse attorney.
The award is granted to an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to the development of health law, nursing and policy. Naming the award in honor of Mary Eleanor McGarvah is recognition of her contribution to the public's health and to society in her role of attorney and public health nurse.
Ms. McGarvah was born in 1886. She graduated from nursing school in 1911and law school in 1929. She devoted her life to public service, working for the Detroit Health Department almost a half century. She focused her energies as a nurse and as an attorney on public health law enforcement, and often stated that her goals were to improve maternal and infant health. She initiated reform and public policy in licensure of midwives, nursing homes and mental health hospitals from 1914 until her death in 1979.
The first McGarvah Award was presented to Tipper Gore in 1998.
Notable Former Recipients
- 1998 - Tipper Gore
- 2003 - U.S. Rep Lois Capps (CA)
- 2006 - Barbara Safriet, JD
Cynthia Ellen Northrop New Advocate Award
The TAANA Foundation established the Cynthia Ellen Northrop New Advocate Award to give TAANA members an opportunity to attend the TAANA and TAANA Foundation Annual Meeting & Educational Conference, where they can increase their knowledge of issues and trends relevant to health care law and nursing, develop new skills, contribute to the education goals of the TAANA Foundation, and network with other nurse attorneys.
Community Grant Award Recipient
The TAANA Foundation donation is presented to a worthy organization in the community where TAANA holds its annual conference.
Award Recipients
- 2004 - Quest, Orlando (Apopka), FL
- 2005 - Tri-Cities Well-Child Clinic, Chicago, IL
- 2006 - La Casa de las Madres , San Francisco, CA
- 2007 - Women's Resource Center of Newport & Bristel Counties
- 2008 - Florida Kinship Center, Tampa, FL
- 2009 - Cancer Services of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
