By Lorenzo W. Snelling | Special to Le Floridien
Dr. Marie O. Etienne has made history.
The Haitian-American became the first Black woman to be named president of the Florida Nurses Association during the group’s annual meeting in St. Augustine, Florida.
The FNA, which was founded in 1909, is a nursing union representing nurses in Florida to support professional development, advocacy and the promotion of excellence in the medical field.
The union has been representing nine chapters of Haitian-American nurses since 2018.
All in all, the union represents 326,669 registered nurses throughout the state of Florida.
Etienne, who has been a registered nurse for 29 years and is a professor at Miami Dade College Medical Campus, Benjamín León School of Nursing, now oversees all FNA regions and represents nurses of all specialties when addressing issues in Tallahassee.
“Dr. Marie O. Etienne broke barriers by becoming the first Black and Haitian-American nurse to be inaugurated as FNA President,” The FNA said in a statement.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levin Cava and County Commissioner Marliene Bastien, also a Haitian-American, honored Etienne at the November 7 County Commission meeting.
Bastien listed Etienne’s accomplishments including being among 32 recipients nationwide to receive the Florence Nightingale Medal of International Red Cross, which recognizes courage and devotion to victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters.
Bastien also said Etienne was the first inductee into the Haitian-American Wall of Fame in 2011.
“And the list goes on and on for her being the recipient of many awards,” Bastien said. “Now she’s the first minority nurse to serve as president of the Florida National Association.”
Etienne fought back tears as she thanked her family and other nurses who supported her throughout her career to help her reach the top of the FNA.
“First I want to thank God for bringing me this far,” she told audience members inside the commissioner chambers. “And of course my mother is here. I love you for everything you have done for me.”
Etienne also thanked her mentor Dr. Patricia Liehr, a professor of nursing at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University.
“If it wasn’t for you and your guidance, this wouldn’t be possible,” Etienne said to Liehr who also was in attendance. “You recruited me to be a member of the Florida Nurses Association and since then I have served in different capacities.”
Etienne began her nursing career in the 1990s.
She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from University of Miami and was certified professional legal nurse consultant.
Etienne returned to her home country in Haiti as a volunteer with Project Medishare during the post-earthquake in 2010, and coordinated medical missions to the Dominican Republic.
Cava, the first woman Miami-Dade County mayor, said Etienne demonstrates “excellent” leadership in her field and the community.
“It is really an honor, as the first woman mayor to congratulate the first Black and Haitian-American woman president and all that you have done,” Cava said. “As a nurse, you exemplify the highest of what our community stands for and you have been a role model for so many. The community recognizes your leadership
