learn about our history
The San Diego Black Nurses Association, Inc. (SDBNA), one of ninety-five NBNA chapters, was organized in 1976 by six forward thinking nurses: Eula May Banks, Maudesta George, Lottie Harris, Jewel Kelley, Dorothy Palmer Phillips and Betty Reliford. Our target areas are diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer and influenza.
The vision of San Diego Black Nurses Association (SDBNA) Inc. is to be the premier provider of Health Education and Health Promotion to achieve optimum health through a continuum of care for African Americans and other underserved population in the San Diego Community.
Our Mission Statement: To decrease healthcare disparities through advocacy, education and health promotion.
Dr. Lauranne Sams, NBNA Founding President
To provide health education, prevention and advocacy
To sponsor and mentor nursing students
To recruit and maintain nurses into the organization
To encourage and assist nurses in seeking advanced degrees
To work in collaboration with other healthcare and community organizations to improve healthcare.
Our current Healthcare Focus is to decrease healthcare disparities in the following areas: diabetes, hypertension,
cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer and influenza.
At the American Nurses Association Convention in 1971, several delegates met and expressed concerns about the status of health care to Blacks in America. From this meeting grew an organization of national prominence and recognition known as the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA).
The San Diego Black Nurses Association (SDBNA), one of over ninety chapters, was organized in 1976 by six forward thinking nurses: Eula May Banks, Maudesta George, Lottie Harris, Jewel Kelley, Dorothy Palmer Phillips and Betty Reliford. Lottie Harris was the SDBNA’s first president.
For the past 40 years SDBNA has kept its commitment to its primary objectives:
To accomplish its goals, SDBNA has been provided with excellent leadership by the following presidents:
BA, RN (1976-1978), (1990-1992)
Ph.D, RN (1978-1980)
BSN, RN (1980-1982)
MS, NP (1982-1984) (1988-1990)
RN (1984-1986) (2007-2010)
MA, RN (1986-1987)
BSN, RN (1987-1988)
RN (1992-1994) (1994-Jan 1995)
(1995-1996)
LVN (1996-1999)
RN (2000-2002)
RN (2003-2006)
RN, FNP-BC (2011-2014)
2015 – 2018
MSN, NP (2019- Jul 2021)
RN, FNP-BC (2022-2024)
(Immediate Past President)
*Deceased
SDBNA will continue to strive for excellence in personal and professional growth; work diligently to influence change relative to the health care needs of all; remain committed to meeting and improving the health care needs of the community.
General Meeting
2nd Saturday of each month 10:00 am
USCD East Campus
6655 Alvarado Rd, San Diego, CA 92120
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