Anna Valdez is a sister who grieves her brother who died from substance use disorder (SUD) just two short years ago. She is also Anna Valdez, Ph.D., RN, CEN, CNE, CFRN, FAEN, FAADN, an accomplished nurse educator who is devoted to ending the stigma of SUD. Anna shared this intensely personal story through a series of Tweets. The threads of this Twitter story gives the reader a glimpse into the remarkable life of her brother Jayson, who desperately wanted to be well, but could not get into treatment in time. I honor Anna’s voice, her brother’s memory and thank her for agreeing to share her story through this guest blog told in Tweets. March 30th is Jayson’s birthday, his life had meaning and purpose and he is missed every. single. day.
Bio: Dr. Anna Valdez has 28 years of experience in clinical practice and nursing education. She has taught nursing at all levels and in a variety of settings. She current serves as faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma State University, and Walden University. Dr. Valdez is nationally certified in emergency nursing, flight nursing, and nursing education. Her current research interests focus primarily on emergency nursing, social determinants of health, health disparities, health equity, and nursing education. Dr. Valdez has presented at several conferences and served on a variety of health-related advisory boards. She has published over 25 peer reviewed articles and contributed as an author in two current emergency nursing books. Dr. Valdez has served as an Associate Editor, Section Editor and member of the Executive Editorial Board for the Journal of Emergency Nursing. She is currently serving as the Editor in Chief for the Teaching and Learning in Nursing journal.
Here is a link to the original Twitter thread:
Thread: Two years ago, I laid beside my brother in his ICU bed, pressed my face against his, and whispered in his ear how much I love him as he slowly slipped away. Our favorite song was playing. Family and his friends were beside us. He did not have to die. #harmreducation 1/ pic.twitter.com/pATOggzq6n
— Anna Valdez, Ph.D., RN (@drannamvaldez) March 29, 2020
