2022 -- H 8260

========

LC005980

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE INVALUABLE SERVICE OF DONNA O'CONNOR,

M.ED., RN, TO THE PATIENTS AT RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL AND STUDENTS IN

PROVIDENCE'S SCHOOL DISTRICT

     Introduced By: Representatives Ranglin-Vassell, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Tanzi, Ajello,
Kislak, Kennedy, Ackerman, Shallcross Smith, and Cortvriend

     Date Introduced: May 18, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Nursing is a vocation for those who possess a caring and sympathetic

nature, as well as tremendous physical and mental legerdemain, and to the good fortune of Rhode

Island Hospital patients and students in Providence's schools, the talents and sensibilities of

Donna O'Connor are totally suited to the task; and

     WHEREAS, In 1975, Mrs. O'Connor began her career in nursing on the medical/surgical

floor at Faulkner Hospital in Boston, and in 1976, she joined the staff at Rhode Island Hospital as

a critical care bedside nurse in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care unit. In 1989, she took a position

at the Attorney General's Office investigating nursing homes throughout Rhode Island but in

1994, returned to intensive care nursing at the Hospital; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to continuing to work as a nurse, and for the past six years as a

nursing supervisor at Rhode Island Hospital, Mrs. O'Connor joined the Providence School

Department as a school nurse teacher and was ultimately made Director of Nursing, PE, and

Health in 2007; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout her many positions in the field of nursing, Mrs. O'Connor has

always been an advocate for those in need, and has been a key component in providing care and

assistance shouldering the enormous COVID-related responsibilities on top of her regular roles;

and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. O'Connor is also a member of numerous professional boards including

the Certified Nursing Assistants Board at the DOH, a member of the Executive Board of the

Village Green Charter School, and a Board member of the Roger Williams Daycare Center since

2018. In addition, she was the President and a founding member of the National Coalition of 100

Black Women/RI Chapter from 2000 through 2007; and

     WHEREAS, Donna O'Connor epitomizes excellence in the nursing field and she has set a

standard of emulation for us all; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

recognizes and honors Donna O'Connor, M.Ed., RN. We moreover thank her and wish her good

health, fulfillment and continued success in all her endeavors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Donna O'Connor, M.Ed., RN.

========

LC005980

========

LC005980 - Page 2 of 2