COMON History

The founding of COMON began in the early 1980s with a forward thinking group of nurse leaders at the Michigan Nurses Association.  At that time, MNA President, Dorothea Millbrandt, thought there was a benefit for nurses to work together in a formal collaborative structure on issues of mutual benefit both for the good of nursing and Michigan's Population.  in 1991, MNA Executive Director, Carole Franck and President, Patricia Underwood, formalized the group into at the Coalition of Michigan Organizations of Nursing, or COMON.

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MNA offered to "house" and coordinate meetings for the newly formed COMON.  Annual dues for each organization were assessed to fund the organization.  Initially, there were as many as 40 Michigan nursing organizations as members of COMON.

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In 2008, Michigan Governor, Jennifer Granholm offered to create a Health Policy Agenda that included a State Chief Nurse Executive to address and elevate nursing issues in the State.  With the leadership of The Chief Nurses Executive, Jeanette Klemczak, began immediately working on a Strategic Plan for Nursing.  COMON served as the focal point for implementing the Strategic Plan.  COMON was "housed" within the Office of the Chief Nurse Executive.

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Currently, COMON has 30+ visibly active member organizations.  COMON closely collaborates with the Office of Nursing Programs and the Senior Nurse Consultant.