Navy Nurse Corps Association of Southern California (NNCASC)

In April 1983 an item appeared in the Orange County Register looking for Navy Nurses who had served on active duty. Forty-eight nurses responded. 30 Navy Nurses from San Diego and Orange County gathered for the first luncheon at the Officers Club at MCAS, El Toro on June 23, 1983. By 1985 the group had established by-laws and elected officers. The first President of NNA of Southern California was Nancy Habash. The current Board of Directors, which includes the officers and committee chairpersons, meets four times a year.

In May 1988 the first NNCA reunion was held in San Diego. NNA of Southern California also hosted the 1998 reunion. The chapter amended its by-laws in 2004 to rename the chapter Navy Nurse Corps Association of Southern California.

Membership: NNCA of Southern CA is the largest chapter in the organization with over 240 members. Membership is open to any officer of the Nurse Corps, United States Navy, regular or reserve, active or inactive duty, retired or former presently serving or honorably discharged. Current membership includes nurses from southern California as well as Nevada and members who have moved from these areas to other states.

Meetings: Four luncheons are held per year and are rotated between MCAS Miramar and Dana Point Yacht Club south of Laguna Beach, normally on the third Wednesday of the month. Luncheon details and flyers are included in the newsletter which is published four times a year.

Chapter Dues: NNCA of Southern California dues are $10.00 per year and are collected simultaneously with the NNCA dues.

Chapter Mission/Projects:

• to foster friendship among former, retired, and current active or inactive duty officers of the Navy Nurse Corps
• to collect and preserve the history and memorabilia pertaining to the Nurse Corps, United States Navy
• to promote and support social activities involving the membership of the association
• to promote and support nursing as a career through a scholarship program
• to identify needs of members and membership eligible non-members of the association and bring to the attention of the membership, as appropriate.

A scholarship program was initiated in 2000 and currently two $1500 scholarships are awarded each year to deserving students in an accredited BSN program in southern California.

Since 2002 a local chapter member has been nominated as one of the San Diego Veteran of the Year nominees. A chapter Awards Committee also selects two local chapter members for service and community awards annually.

Contact this Chapter: At nncasc@nnca.org