Pictured above (left to right): Ethel Walton, president of the Chicago Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association, presents Juliana Ndukwu, RN, with special honors and a plaque.

Congratulations to Juliana Ndukwu, RN, for being recognized as an exceptional nurse for 2023 by three prominent nursing organizations.

Each year on National Black Nurses Day, Alpha Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., Beta Mu Chapter of Lambda Pi Alpha Sorority, and the Chicago Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association join to recognize extraordinary nurses. The organizations have honored nurses from at least two designated care areas each year for more than 35 years. For 2023, exceptional nurses in the areas of maternal health and mental health were recognized.

Ndukwu works in the Gero-Psychiatric Unit at Weiss. She has more than 15 years of experience in the long-term care of patients with mental health conditions and has expertise in behavior therapy techniques. Outside of Weiss, Ndukwu cares for inmates struggling with substance abuse and other mental health disabilities through her role at Lakefront Rehabilitation. In the past year, she has supported 20 inmates who have reunited with their families and returned to the community, assisting in their recovery and ability to gain employment.

Since 1988, National Black Nurses Day has been recognized by the United States Congress on the first Friday of the month of February. The celebration occurs annually on this date for the purpose of acknowledging, uplifting and honoring nurses of color in the Chicagoland area. This year’s celebration took place Feb. 24, 2023.