Let’s celebrate her contributions to humanity! Registered Nurse Joan David Mayers, who hails from Bethel, Tobago, the sister isle of Trinidad, says she has over 30 years of “progressive, dynamic, passionate leadership, research and clinical experience.”
Mayers is a graduate of St. Joseph Convent, Arima, Trinidad and Tobago; Long Island University (B.Sc. in nursing); master’s degree in nursing from SUNY Downstate University Hospital; and is board certified in nephrology nursing.
She is a member of several nursing organizations, and is well versed in interdisciplinary communications and creative in problem solving.
Mayers said she was a renal nurse educator, who managed the care for all categories of patients diagnosed with renal diseases: pre-dialysis, dialysis (all categories), and kidney and liver transplant.
In collaboration with physicians, Mayers told Caribbean Life that she was involved in the first national clinical trial studies for the use of Epoetin Alfa (Epogen) in hemodialysis patients.
She said her nursing research on dietary experiences of the English-speaking West Indian hemodialysis patients led to dietary reform in nutrition teachings of this population.
“This prospective, qualitative research study was the first culturally sensitive research published on dietary influences in that international nursing journal, the American Nephrology Nursing Association,” she said, disclosing that she has authored more than 12 papers, and is the recipient of NACLI’s Excellence in Nursing Practice award, the Blue-Ribbon Award from ANNA and the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance Health Care Award.
Mayers said she has alliances with the America Nephrology Nurses Association and co-founded the local chapter, Trinidad and Tobago Nurses Association of America, Inc., since 1990, serving as public relations officer for two terms.
She is also co-founder of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Retired Nurses Association, which was formed in 2012; she is enjoying her second term on the executive and currently serves as recording secretary.
In her adopted homeland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Mayers, who is married to Vincentian Cleophus Mayers, said she remains “very active in various communities, meeting their health care as well as social needs.”
She said she is also involved with helping school children, as well as children in her church parish.
Mayers said her hobbies are sewing, cooking, “appreciating soca music and honing new digital experiences.”
She said she has been married to her “amazing husband for 50 years,” and is very grateful to her family and friends who continuously encourage her to “make today worth remembering by embracing the following: ‘Live my truth, express my love, share my enthusiasm, take actions towards my dreams, walk my talk, dance and sing to my music and embrace my blessings.’
“Although I am happy to be retired from the workforce, I wish to follow the footsteps of a contemporary leader who should now use available technology and media to add insight to skill development and preferences that support effective leadership that best addresses the increasing complexity in the system and in the effective leader’s role,” Mayers added.
“It’s a new world, and it requires new leadership,” she continued. “In my newly found role, I am forced to utilize every lifelong acquired experience to positively impact many who seek a little empathy and sunshine in their lives.”
