News – Southwest

Jan 2026 Meeting- SW-VCnP

December 29, 2025

Southwest

📣 SWVCNP & SWVA Nurse Honor Guard Members!

🗓 Mark your calendars:

Our next monthly meeting is Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 9 A.M.

📍 Location:

The Girl and the Raven — Upstairs Room

380 E Main St, Abingdon, VA 24210

🧺 To Bring:

1️⃣ Items for our VCNP Conference Basket — Theme: Health & Wellness

2️⃣ All Nurse Honor Guard raffle tickets for the drawing!

We’ll be diving into upcoming events, education initiatives, financial updates, government relations, awards, raffle activities, and group updates. 🤸‍♀️ We’re ready for fresh, exciting ideas to kick off the new year strong.

🎫🙏 Can’t wait to see everyone there. Let’s make it a great meeting! 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

Thank you,

Christine Mullins, PR Officer SW VCNP Region

SWVA Nurse Honor Guard Coordinator

2763935793

Mvz6qa@uvawise.edu
October Update & November Planning!

October 16, 2025

Southwest
🩺 SW-VCNP Members Update & SWVA Nurse Honor Guard

Hello SW-VCNP Members,

We’re excited to share highlights from our October 4th meeting and announce plans for our next gathering. We hope to see all of you there!

🗓 October 4th Meeting Highlights

Nurse Honor Guard
- Membership: 68 members, including 6 student members
- Website: Recently updated
- Services Provided: 15
- Budget: $663.58
- Fundraising: Quilt Raffle underway to support supply purchases
- Upcoming Event: Fall Fling in Clintwood – October 11, 2025
SW-VCNP
- Membership: 23 members
  (Reminder: Please renew your membership to stay on our mailing list)
- Budget: Reviewed
- Public Relations:
  - NP Week planning
  - Proclamation template
  - Sister Bernie Kenny VCNP Member of the Year Award (nominations by Nov 15, 2025)
- Discussion Topics:
  - Full Practice Authority
  - Member Spotlights
  - NP Week activities
  - VCNP Conference & raffle basket (theme: self-care/resilience)
  - Legislative reception
  - Healing Politics initiative
  - President-elect updates
  - Lobby Day
  - Government relations donations
📅 Upcoming Meeting Details
- Date: November 1, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM
- Location: The Girl and The Raven
- Address: 380 E Main St, Abingdon, VA 24210
- Guest Speaker Topic: Veterans’ Appreciation
🏆 Nominations Open

SW-VCNP Nurse Practitioner Member of the Year Award
Submit your nomination by November 15, 2025:
👉 Click here to nominate

Respectfully submitted,

Christine Mullins, DNP, FNP-c, CNE, FAANP, SW-VCNP PR Officer
October Meeting!

September 22, 2025

Southwest

Hello SWVCNP and SWVA Nurse Honor Guard Members,
🗓Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 10 A.M., we will be having our October monthly meeting!
📍The Venue is Fiddlers: (off exit 73) 120 Malin Dr, Wytheville, VA 24382.
We look forward to discussing our upcoming events, education initiatives, financial updates, government relations, plans for Nurse Practitioner Week, awards, raffles, and group updates. 🤸‍♀️ We need some exciting ideas for all of our upcoming events! 🤩
We have four UVA Wise BSN Students who have signed up for our Honor Guard!!! I will be bringing raffle tickets for you to sell for the nurse honor guard. Dr. Patti Vanhook made us a quilt to raffle, and it is beautiful. 🎫 🙏
I can’t wait to see you all. See you soon!!👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

Chrissy Mullins, DNP, FNP-c, CNE, FAANP
SW-VCNP Public Relations Officer
August Meeting

July 30, 2025

Southwest
Southwest Region-Summer Updates

July 28, 2025

Southwest

Supporting Recovery & Community Wellness in Southwest Virginia

The Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners – Southwest Region (SWVCNP) was proud to sponsor refreshments at the Choose Recovery Event held in Clintwood, VA, hosted by C. Jane Phillips and Dickenson County Behavioral Health Services. This inspiring event brought together professionals, advocates, and community members to support recovery, share resources, and uplift those on the journey to healing. Together, we stand for hope, healing, and community. #SWVCNP #ChooseRecovery #CommunityMatters #NursePractitionersLead #RecoveryIsPossible #DickensonCounty #SouthwestVirginia #PeerSupport

🕊️ Honoring Ms. Teresa Helton, LPN – Our Largest Nurse Honor Guard Service to Date 🕊️

The Southwest Virginia Nurse Honor Guard had the solemn privilege of honoring the life and legacy of Ms. Teresa Helton, LPN, during her funeral service at Hurst Funeral Home in Cedar Bluff. This service, led by Spencer Swinney, was our largest to date—a testament to the deep impact Teresa had on her community, colleagues, and loved ones.

The SWVA Nurse Honor Guard said goodbye to a special nurse in Haysi, VA, Ms. Tracy Geiger. Thank you to Haysi Funeral Home and the family for allowing us to recognize Tracy’s dedication to nursing and service. Prayers for all family and friends and may God bless and comfort each one of you. Thank you to all the members who came out for this special service.

Southwest Virginia Nurse Honor Guard Service

We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved coworker, Colleen Lenz, who passed away at the age of 59. Leigh Ann Begley, member of the Southwest Virginia Nurse Honor Guard, led the service honoring Colleen’s life, service, and dedication to nursing on Wednesday, June 11 at 4:00 PM in the chapel at Holston Valley Medical Center. Pictured left to right: Wren Carr, Sarah Mauk, Sinead Tipper, Leigh Ann Begley, Albert Lenz–Colleen’s husband, Makayla Kennedy, Diane Clark, April Rhoten, Sherry Dykes, and Casey Ward.
📣 VCNP SWVA Region Update – April & May Highlights!

May 12, 2025

Southwest
We’re excited about all the meaningful work happening in our region! 💙

🩺 The Nurse Honor Guard is growing! We’re welcoming new volunteers and planning service events—including honoring veterans on May 17 at the Dickenson Co. Courthouse with the Girl Scouts. 🇺🇸💐

📚 SWVCNP and SWVANHG Student Engagement is strong! Shoutout to Lyndzee Boyd for connecting LPN and RN programs and stepping into a student liaison role as she pursues her DNP! We are adding SWVA Nurse Honor Guard Cords for student participation!!

💰 Our treasurer report shows a healthy balance with support for the Norton Homeless Shelter and Dickenson County Community Events.

📆 Big things ahead:
- Relay for Life (Sept 6): Help us raise funds by purchasing paper chain links—just $1 each!
- AANP Conference & Mission Trip: Our members are headed to the national stagein San Diego, CA, and serving in Belize with The Health Wagon.
- RAM Event in Grundy this October!
💡 Training spotlight: Thanks to Moe Thompson for providing REVIVE training and Narcan for participants.

🗓️ Next meeting: June 7 @ 9:30, JMH

VCNP and SWVANHG Member Coetta Neece and Tammy Branham giving food/water donation to Norton, VA Homeless Shelter.

May 5, 2025 Meeting at the Girl and the Raven, Abingdon, VA

Moe Thompson presenting the REVIVE Training from MRC.

Member Chrissy Mullins and Coetta Neece volunteering for Drug Take Back, Big Stone Gap, VA

Members Kristen Beverly, Tammy Branham, Tauna Gulley, Coetta Neece, and Chrissy Mullins conducting SWVANHG Service

$1 to purchase a link with a cancer survivor link–for Relay for Life.

📣 SW-VCNP & SWVA Nurse Honor Guard Update

April 7, 2025

Southwest

🗓️ April 5, 2025 Meeting Recap
We had a fantastic and productive gathering at Lincoln Road Coffee Shop in Norton, VA! ☕ Big shoutout to everyone who joined us for the latest updates on membership, budgeting, and our awesome Nurse Honor Guard. 🩵 The SW-VCNP basket won the most money for the VCNP Scholarship—go Southwest!! 🙌🎉

🔔 Upcoming Events & Meetings:

📍SWVA Nurse Honor Guard Memorial Service
🕊️ Honoring Carmen Banks
🗓️ May 3, 2025 – Time: TBA 
📍 Location: TBA

📍Next Chapter Meeting
🗓️ May 3, 2025 | 🕤 9:30 AM
📌 Topics: Nurse Honor Guard, Chapter Updates, Narcan Training (MRC)
📍 Location: The Girl and The Raven, Abindon, VA  380 E Main St, Abingdon, VA 24210

📍June Meeting
🗓️ June 8, 2025 | 🕤 9:30 AM
📌 Education on Novo Nordisk (Jerrie Doss)
📍 Location: Johnston Memorial Hospital (Room TBA)

💙 Outreach in Action
📦 Food drive for Norton Homeless Shelter – Date: TBD
💊 Drug Takeback: 4/26/25, 9:45 AM–4 PM @ Food City BSG
🎗️ Relay for Life – Sept 6, Leeman Field, Pennington Gap (6–10 PM)
👉 $1 “Links of Love” honoring those affected by cancer

💪 Together, we’re making a meaningful impact across our region. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication!

Team	Item	Due Date	Responsible Person
Southwest Virginia Nurse Honor Guard	Order Triangles (10)	5/3/25	Christine Mullins
	Update Website	5/3/25	Christine Mullins
	Email Update to Members	5/3/25	Christine Mullins
	Agenda for next meeting	5/3/25	Christine Mullins
	Follow up on Franklin, Henry, Roanoke, and Patrick Counties—if Roanoke Nightingales cover these and notify members: Tammy Shorter, Tracey Hairston, Kate Reynolds, Nieshia Carter	5/3/25	Christine Mullins
	Send Karla Osborne Wampler and email about our group	5/3/25	Christine Mullins
	Funeral Home Updates	5/3/25	Regional Champions
	Services Offered	5/3/25	Regional Champions
	Services Scheduled	5/3/25	Regional Champions
	Speak with Estes Funeral Home about services	5/3/25	Teresa Tyson & Paula Hill-Collins

Southwest Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners	May meeting location	5/3/25	Tauna Gulley
	Coordinate location with MRC for Narcan Training	5/3/25	Tauna Gulley
	Determine room location for June Meeting	6/8/25	Tauna Gulley
	Sell links for September Event-$1 per link. The links to honor a person who has had cancer; take donation, write name down—bring to next meeting. Christine will give money and names to Ms. Jennifer Stafford’s Team. #AlexiaStrong	9/6/25	All VCNP and Nurse Honor Guard Members

April Meeting

March 31, 2025

Southwest

SWVCNP Next Meeting Reminder!

When: April 5, 2025, at 9:30 A.M.
Where: Lincoln Road Coffee Lounge, 36 Park Ave NW, Norton, VA 24273

We look forward to seeing and hearing from all Nurse Honor Guard members!

We invite all Nurse Practitioner students to come to our upcoming meeting!

What: Dr. Jennifer Hammons will present information on the free and charitable St. Mary’s Faith Pharmacy.

Community Initiative
This April, we are organizing an event to support the homeless population in Norton, VA with nonperishable food donations. We kindly ask all members to bring at least one nonperishable item to contribute. Every little bit helps!

Let’s come together to make a difference! See you there!

#SWVANurseHonorGuard #CommunitySupport #GiveBack #NortonVA #NursePractitioners #swvcnp
March Meeting Recap & Next Meeting!

March 13, 2025

Southwest

📅 Meeting Recap: March 1, 2025
Members of SW-VCNP and the SWVA Nurse Honor Guard gathered at the Girl and the Raven in Abingdon, Virginia, for a productive session! We discussed the SWVA Nurse Honor Guard, chose a raffle winner, legislative updates, treasurer reports, and preparations for the 2025 conference. Our group also constructed a basket for the 2025 VCNP Conference with an Appalachian Adventure theme. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed and attended! 💙

📍 Next Meeting:
When: April 5, 2025, at 9:30 A.M.
Where: Lincoln Road Coffee Lounge, 36 Park Ave NW, Norton, VA 24273. We look forward to seeing you there! ☕

#SWVAVCNP #SWVANurseHonorGuard #SWVCNP #2025VCNPConference

SW-VCNP February Meeting Success!

February 2, 2025

Southwest

We had a fantastic meeting at The Girl and the Raven in Abingdon, VA, on February 1, 2025! Thank you to everyone who joined us for our monthly meeting!  

Pat Meinen, from Medical Reserve Corps came to enlighten everyone on their services and to announce the Annual Conference presented by NETN, SWVA, and Sullivan County MRC Units.  The conference is on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Northeast State Community College, 2425 TN-75, Blountville, TN 37617, from 8 am to 5 pm. They will be covering a Sheltering Exercise, CPR Certification, Communications, Networking, Mental Health and Disasters, and much more! So SAVE THE DATE!!

Southwest Virginia Nurse Honor Guard-Christine Mullins presented an update on progress with the website, social media, membership (n=37), counties covered, ongoing raffle ticket sales for the EKO Stethoscope, and future plans.  The raffle will be drawn at the next SWVCNP regional meeting on March 1, 2025.

County Champions were established to disseminate services regionally.  The County Champions are responsible for arrangements with the funeral home, family members, and the honor guard members. Several members volunteered for this effort.

The southwest region is creating a basket to raffle off at the VCNP Conference.  The theme is Rustic, Appalachian Adventures.  Each member is going to purchase items up to $25 for the basket and we will work on it together at the next meeting SWVCNP Regional Meeting on March 1, 2025.

There was a robust discussion on calendar events for this year and things our group was interested in hosting/participating in, i.e., REVIVE Training, conferences, museum of trees, parades, trunk or treats, and drug takebacks.  Coetta Neece has started a calendar to add events to for our region. We also discussed hosting meetings outside of Abingdon--alternating sites for more participation.  

Our next meeting: March 1, 2025 at The Girl and the Raven, 380 E. Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia, 9:30 AM. We hope to see all our members at the next meeting!!

We forgot to get a group photo, however, we did get a few pictures to share!  Many thanks to Tauna Gulley, Southwest Region President, for leading our group meeting and for all the members who showed up for networking!