The Maryland Daily Record has announced their Health Care Heroes for 2025 and a Potomac-Bethesda Rotarian has been selected as "Nurse of the Year." Maryland Nurses Association (MNA) President Lou J. Bartolo, DNP, MSN, RN, has been selected by The Daily Record. Congratulations to Lou Bartolo,Treasurer, Potomac-Bethesda Rotary Club on this award! As home to several renowned medical and federal institutions, Maryland is a national leader in health care research and development. The Daily Record's Health Care Heroes Awards honor those individuals and organizations who have made an impact on the quality of health care within the state. The winners were selected by the publisher and editors of The Daily Record.
"Dr. Bartolo is an outstanding registered nurse who exceeds in his leadership abilities within the MNA and the nursing profession. He has an incredible impact on the MNA, our healthcare system, our patients, and our communities. His dedication and commitment to excellence are truly remarkable. He exemplifies professionalism by being an ambassador for Maryland nursing nationally and locally.
"Dr. Bartolo is an extraordinary champion for educating Maryland nurses and healthcare professionals on structural racism. The American Nurses Association (ANA) awarded him a grant to develop training materials and advocacy work to pursue his goal. Dr. Bartolo's proposal was one of the eight awarded among all applicants throughout the United States. He is the reason there is House Bill 0783/Senate Bill 0458 titled "Health Occupations—Structural Racism Training," which proposes changes to the training requirements for health care professionals in Maryland.
Key provisions include:
- Requiring applicants for renewal of certain licenses and certificates to attest that they have completed an implicit bias and structural racism training program approved by the Cultural and Linguistic Health Care Professional Competency Program;
- Expanding the definition of "implicit bias" to include structural racism; and,
- Ensuring that the training programs are recognized by health occupations boards or accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education."
In Annapolis, Dr. Bartolo gave verbal testimony at the Senate and House hearings. The bill has moved out of both the Senate and House with no objections. It is expected to receive favorable votes, and the act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.
Through the nominee’s leadership, MNA’s leaders and Maryland legislators appreciate a better understanding of the reason for and vision for structural racism training among Maryland healthcare providers. He is a powerful influencer through fluent and caring motivation.
Under the nominee’s leadership, MNA has strengthened and increased its resilience. Through improved presidential leadership and management, MNA has the potential to support more initiatives and programs that support the growth and development of the nursing profession and the health of Maryland citizens.
He has demonstrated leadership and unwavering support for the MNA priority events including MNA Legislative Nurses Night, MNA Annual Convention, and the MNA Annual Gala and Nurses Month Celebration. In 2024, MNA held a very successful 121st Annual Convention, and its second annual gala. Both events were sold-out and received rave reviews, and plans are underway for the 2025 events.
MNA had been conducting its annual Nurses' Legislative Night virtually for the past four years in part due to CoVID; however, due to Dr. Bartolo’s vision and perseverance MNA had this year’s Legislative Nurses Night live in Annapolis with unique opportunities to tour the state capital and legislative buildings, meet with legislators, advocate for priority nursing bills and attend the hearing of scheduled bills in the gallery on Presidents’ Day, February 17, the traditional date for the MNA Legislative Nurses Night.
Dr. Bartolo’s charismatic personality complements his “can do” attitude. He is also financially and politically savvy. He provides consistent presidential guidance on many MNA Committees, primarily, but not exclusively, legislation, membership, finance, convention, nurses celebrations, and the MNA’s eight districts. Dr. Bartolo implemented educational in-person lunch meetings at two of MNA’s rural districts, one in eastern counties near the Atlantic Ocean and the other in western mountain counties. He was also instrumental in MNA donating to the Nursing Foundation of Maryland to support nursing scholarships and nursing research focused on nursing issues. He is also active on the national level with the ANA Political Action Committee (PAC). He enhances the MNA members' awareness of the ANA PAC and encourages members to provide financial support.
Through the nominee’s leadership, MNA’s leaders and Maryland legislators appreciate a better understanding of the reason for and vision for structural racism training among Maryland healthcare providers. He is a powerful influencer through fluent and caring motivation.
Under the nominee’s leadership, MNA has strengthened and increased its resilience. Through improved presidential leadership and management, MNA has the potential to support more initiatives and programs that support the growth and development of the nursing profession and the health of Maryland citizens.
He has demonstrated leadership and unwavering support for the MNA priority events including MNA Legislative Nurses Night, MNA Annual Convention, and the MNA Annual Gala and Nurses Month Celebration. In 2024, MNA held a very successful 121st Annual Convention, and its second annual gala. Both events were sold-out and received rave reviews, and plans are underway for the 2025 events.
MNA had been conducting its annual Nurses' Legislative Night virtually for the past four years in part due to CoVID; however, due to Dr. Bartolo’s vision and perseverance MNA had this year’s Legislative Nurses Night live in Annapolis with unique opportunities to tour the state capital and legislative buildings, meet with legislators, advocate for priority nursing bills and attend the hearing of scheduled bills in the gallery on Presidents’ Day, February 17, the traditional date for the MNA Legislative Nurses Night.
Dr. Bartolo’s charismatic personality complements his “can do” attitude. He is also financially and politically savvy. He provides consistent presidential guidance on many MNA Committees, primarily, but not exclusively, legislation, membership, finance, convention, nurses celebrations, and the MNA’s eight districts. Dr. Bartolo implemented educational in-person lunch meetings at two of MNA’s rural districts, one in eastern counties near the Atlantic Ocean and the other in western mountain counties. He was also instrumental in MNA donating to the Nursing Foundation of Maryland to support nursing scholarships and nursing research focused on nursing issues. He is also active on the national level with the ANA Political Action Committee (PAC). He enhances the MNA members' awareness of the ANA PAC and encourages members to provide financial support.