Dr. Debra P. Malina, DNSC, MBA, CRNA, ARNP was elected lead coordinator for the Nursing Organizations Alliance (NOA) recently. Her responsibilities include guiding the coordinating team in the activities of the alliance through the annual meeting, Nurse In Washington Internship (NIWI), Nursing Alliance Leadership Academy (NALA), work teams and other NOA affiliations. The team is also responsible for the business affairs of the NOA.
The NOA, formed in 2001, represents more than 60 different specialty nursing organizations across the United States. Its purpose is to promote a strong voice and cohesive action to address issues of concern to the community of nursing. Membership in the alliance is open to any nursing organization whose focus is to address current and emerging nursing and health care issues.
Malina is the Assistant Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor in the Barry University Master of Science Program in Anesthesiology. Originally from Cleveland, OH, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida International University, her Master of Science in Anesthesiology from Barry University, a Master of Science in Business Administration from Madison University, and a Doctorate in Nursing Science from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Malina has also served on numerous committees of both her state and national associations. She served as President of the Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists and as a Regional Director and Treasurer of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). She also served as President of the AANA from 2011-2012. Malina’s interests include policy and politics in nursing and healthcare, professional advocacy and advancement, simulation and patient safety-event reporting mechanisms.