Several Join OPEA at Annual OKDHS ASD Nurses Conference

Several Oklahoma Department of Human Services nurses from across the state recently converged at the Postal Training Center in Norman for the annual OKDHS Aging Services Division Nursing Conference. OPEA was also there to encourage and show support to these hardworking nurses who faithfully serve our public everyday.
Some who attended include Area IIII Registered Nurse Karen Danley, Programs Assistant Administrator Toni Hughes, OPEA Board Members Tom Dunning and Thomas Kalayilparampil, and Aging Services Director Lance Robertson.
OPEA is in the business of getting people involved using all types of resources such as several different information venues, holding luncheon presentations every day of the week, vendor expos, leafleting, chapter meetings and much more. OPEA not only gave support but received it as well. Many nurses are already members, but all nurses need to be members in order to have their voices heard in an organized collective fashion at the Capitol.
“I thought that the conference went really well,” said Area III Nurse Karen Danley. “I want the nurses to get more involved in order to have their voices heard. The nurses have taken the lead role in many job instances and now I want them to take the lead role for ourselves through OPEA. The title of our conference was Bold, Wise, and Strong. And that’s what we need to do for ourselves as well. I believe we can succeed, but it’s going to take all of us being on board with OPEA to be effective,” Danley said.
Special thanks to Toni Hughes, Karen Danley, and Thomas Kalayilparampil for coordinating their efforts and inviting OPEA to attend. OPEA gained many new members from this conference and looks forward to next years conference.
If you are a state employee and want your voice heard at the Capitol, then it’s time to join your co-workers in order to have the biggest and loudest voice possible. Please don’t wait any longer! If you value yourself and see the value in others working for different agencies across the state then join now. For more information about becoming a member or planning an event please visit our website at www.opea.org or contact Brandon Watkins at (405) 524-6764 ext. 208.