Yale New Haven Hospital’s Ena Williams honored as a Trailblazer Award Winner by the National Black Nurses

NEW HAVEN, CT (August 9, 2017) – Ena Williams, BSN, RN the interim chief nursing officer at Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH), has been named a recipient of The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) 2017 Trailblazer Award Winner.

Williams joined the staff at Yale New Haven as a staff nurse in 1992 in the operating room and quickly progressed through a number of leadership positions: laser coordinator (1993), perioperative educator (1995), patient services manager (2001) nursing director (2004). Under her leadership as nursing director, the Operating Room expanded to 49 rooms, experienced record low turnover and vacancy and increased volume growth. She has been part of the senior nursing leadership team that led the hospital to two successful ANCC Magnet designations.

“I am very grateful and honored to be recognized with such a prestigious award especially when it comes from your professional colleagues, said Williams. “This recognition is also representative of the leadership of YNHH who believes in professional development, promoting educational opportunities and improving heath.”

Ena served as president of the Southern Connecticut Black Nurses Association, 2008-2010, during which time the chapter collaborated with several nursing organizations in the state to launch the Connecticut Nursing Collaborative now a member of the National Regional Action Coalition to advance the Future of Nursing Institute of Medicine (IOM) initiatives. She also serves as a member of the NBNA ad hoc committee on mentorship.

NBNA President Eric J. Williams, MD, stated “The Trailblazer Awardees were selected for the stellar career path in the profession of nursing and for being an inspiration to other nurses.” The NBNA mission is to serve as the voice for black nurses and diverse populations ensuring equal access to professional development, promoting educational opportunities and improving health.

The Awardees were honored on August 3, 2017 during the Presidential Gala at the 45th Annual Institute and Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH), part of Yale New Haven Health, is a nationally recognized, 1,541-bed, not-for-profit hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Yale School of Medicine (YSM). Founded as the fourth voluntary hospital in the U.S. in 1826, today, YNHH has two New Haven-based campuses, and also includes Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital and Smilow Cancer Hospital. YNHH has received Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence. YNHH has a combined medical staff of about 4,500 university and community physicians practicing in more than 100 specialties. www.ynhh.org