The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) announced its 2012 class of emerging leaders.

 Lori Folken, RN-BC, was among those chosen. Folken works in the obstetrics department at Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru, IL.  A nurse for more than 12 years, Folken is a neonatal resuscitation instructor and a certified childbirth instructor.  She is currently enrolled in the RN to BSN fast track program at the University of St. Francis.

The Emerging Leaders Program engages nurses in a formal, year-long leadership training program. Activities include guidance from mentors, networking events, meetings with Members of Congress and their staff, multiple continuing education opportunities, AWHONN committee assignments, and other experiential training to build confidence and leadership skills among participants.

Since last year, the Emerging Leaders Program has doubled in size.

The AWHONN Emerging Leaders Program places special emphasis on fostering diversity-in age, race and gender-among its prospects. Participant selection was based on the applicants' skills, experience and enthusiasm for women's health and perinatal nursing.