About Us

President : Bernard Virgena

2025

It is with great pleasure as President of the Caribbean American Nurses’ Association- Bronx, Manhattan and WestchesIter Chapter , [CANA-BMW] that I welcome all of our distinguished guests, colleagues, scholarship recipients, honorees,family and friends to our 15th Annual Vernese Weekes Scholarship Luncheon. On behalf of CANA-BMW , I thank you for your presence and overwhelming support , which enables us
to make a difference in the lives of others. Your involvement gives us strength and assurance that we can accomplish great things, and with God’s help can overcome all challenges. In 1994 the CANA-BMW Chapter was formed to include the concentration of professional nurses of Caribbean descent in
the Bronx, Manhattan and Westchester counties. As we enter our sixteenth year, we must remember to reflect on the goals and objectives of our founding members in order to move forward to build a stronger organiza¬
tion. We need to become more aware of the health care legislations, health risks and needs of our community, as well as the serious shortage of professional nurses in the United States and the Caribbean and think of ways to spark renewed interest in this rewarding profession. With your continued support CANA-BMW is able to award three scholarships to students who are pursuing degrees in the nursing profession. These awards bring the total number of recipients who have benefited from our scholarships to 30. As the gatekeepers of the healthcare system, we are called upon to assume varied leadership roles, implement innovative initiatives, and educate as needed. I invite you to network and create a partnership with CANA-BMW, become proactive in local legislation and be responsive to the needs of the community. Our activism is exhibited by volunteerism from our members in mentoring and hosting educa¬ tional programs, health fairs, humanitarian trips every other year to various Caribbean islands/ countries. This year’s humanitarian trip to Guyana is scheduled for July 6-13, 2011 ; further details will be announced later. I take this opportunity to extend an invitation to all supporters and friends to accompany and/or lend their support to this worthy cause. Congratulations to the 2010 scholarship recipients and honorees. We are very proud to help make a difference in your lives. Special Thanks to the Weekes family for their continued support as we ensure that Vernese’s legacy lives on . Thanks to the members of CANA-BMW, the Luncheon, Scholarship and Journal Committees, for your hard work in making this event a success. Special thanks to our keynote speaker, Dr. Christine Greenidge, RN , who is also the treasurer of CANA-BMW. Members, colleagues and friends, let us keep our hearts, minds, and hands together to lift CANA-BMW. Standing together our association will become stronger and more productive.
Remember, if we do not find innovative ways to meet our goals, we will become stagnant and
lose our effectiveness. I am very optimistic that this organization is moving in the right direction , as we continue to exemplify a strong commitment to excellence and to live the vision by making a difference one
life at a time.