Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Neonatal Care

Through the leadership of the ONE NANN Committee, NANN champions diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the neonatal nursing profession. The committee ensures DEI principles are embedded in NANN’s programming, policies, and practices, creating a welcoming and equitable environment for nurses, patients, and families of all backgrounds.

ONE NANN collaborates with NANN leadership to promote representation and inclusivity, while raising awareness of cultural competency and health equity issues that impact neonatal care. Committee members bring a range of perspectives and experiences, mirroring the diversity within NANN’s membership wherever possible.

ONE NANN’s 2026-2027 Goals

• Developing DEI-focused resources and messaging for neonatal nurses.
• Hosting cultural competency webinars that address disparities and unique community needs.
• Identifying gaps in representation across the profession and the organization and recommending programs to enhance inclusivity.
• Supporting DEI discussions within myNANN and elevating member concerns to leadership.
• Advising on policy and bylaws to ensure inclusive practices across NANN initiatives.

Position Statement Update

The ONE NANN Committee also leads efforts to review and update NANN’s official DEI-related position statements. The current statement, Racial Disparity in the NICU (June 2020), is available here. An updated version is in process to reflect evolving best practices and research.

By embedding DEI into every facet of NANN’s work, ONE NANN helps advance equitable care for neonates and their families while fostering a professional community where every voice is valued.

What’s Ahead?

2026 Cultural Competency Webinar Series

Join us for a year-long series designed to deepen understanding and improve care across diverse populations. ONE NANN’s Cultural Competency webinars are free to all and will offer CE. Once registration is available, dates and links will be added. Planned webinars include:

• February (Black History Month): Racial disparities within the NICU – parents and outpatient treatment; lack of diversity within the profession – clinical and faculty.
• May (Mental Health Awareness Month): Post-partum depression, traumatic deliveries, and disabilities.
• August: Caring for Mennonite, Amish, and Orthodox Jewish communities.
• November (Prematurity Awareness Month): Medically-complex former preemies – Down syndrome, vent-dependent, and developmental follow-up clinic.

Celebrate Diversity

Explore our Diversity Days of Celebration Calendar to honor cultural and heritage observances throughout the year. While this calendar serves as a guide, celebrations aren’t limited to the dates shown.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the NANN Annual Conference

NANN’s annual conference is a vibrant reflection of our DEI values, with intentional efforts to foster inclusion, accessibility, and advocacy throughout the event:

• Inclusive Experiences: Conference scripting and app push notifications emphasize mindfulness, inclusive language, and honoring diverse perspectives.
• ONE NANN Engagement: The “Get to NANN You” event features ONE NANN’s presence, offering attendees a chance to connect and engage with DEI initiatives.
• Accessibility Resources: An annually updated accessibility guide helps attendees navigate the conference with ease.
• Advocacy Partnerships: NANN partners with organizations like Social Offset to support inclusive values in all conference locations.
• Sensory Considerations: Fidget toys are available to support neurodiverse attendees, and session icons indicate potentially loud or overstimulating environments.
• Visual Advocacy: DEI and advocacy ribbons are available to attendees to visibly show support and solidarity. 

Get Involved

ONE NANN thrives on member engagement. Share your ideas, experiences, and resources in the myNANN Advocacy Community. Please make sure you are logged into your myNANN account when joining this community. Together, we can create meaningful change.

Current Volunteer Opportunity

The ONE NANN Committee has one open volunteer slot! This is your chance to help shape NANN’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Apply for the volunteer position here. Please make sure you are logged into your myNANN account when applying for this opportunity. The deadline to apply is December 8, 2025.

Contact Us

For questions or to connect with the ONE NANN Committee, email ONE NANN Staff Liaison Natalie Glaid at [email protected].