Student Nurses’ Association hosts policymakers at inaugural event

March 17, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 13)
Article by Elizabeth Davis

eight people standing in front of screen Student Nurses' Association Legislative Breakfast, GVSU

From left are Elizabeth Davis, associate professor of nursing and SNA faculty advisor, Nina Hyseni, Jacey Herst, Peter Kalogiros, Karla Black, Stephen Wooden, Sophia Curtis and Emma Spires.

Grand Valley's Student Nurses’ Association hosted a grassroots Health Care Legislative Breakfast in late February to connect nursing students with regional policymakers to explore how legislation shapes clinical practice and public health outcomes. 

Panelists were Brian Kalogiros, West Michigan regional manager for U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Michigan Rep. Stephen Wooden and Karla Black, Kent County deputy administrative health officer.  

The SNA Legislative Committee, led by Sophia Curtis, provided panelists with questions focused on staffing ratios, plans to support rural health care, resources to prevent burnout in nursing, nurse licensure compact and tips on how students can be more involved in health care legislation.

Members of the community, students, faculty and staff participated in this inaugural event. 

— Elizabeth Davis is an associate professor of nursing and the SNA faculty advisor.

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Across Campus

This article was last edited on March 11, 2026 at 10:27 a.m.

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