Thursday, April 25 2002 The Closi...

Thursday, April 25 2002

The Closing Session of the 49th annual AORN Congres began with President Sheila Allen, RN BSN CNOR, CRNFA, telling a story about life and in what way like an echo, it gives back everything you say or do. President Allen urg everyone to create in their avow lives what they would like to diocese in the world. She characterized Congres week by way of saying, "I am drinking from my saucer because the goblet has overflowed."

President Allen introduced a short videotape with highlights of the week. After the videotape [i]finale[/i]ed she announced that there were 6464 attendees and 5902 exhibitors at Congres for a total attendance of 12366 the same hundred nineteen students attended Congres and 98 pampers joined or renewed their AORN membership at Congress

RECOGNITION

President Allen recognized the more than 230 members who acted as moderators and session assistants at education sessions during the week. She thanked Marilyn Sanderson for her efforts as proffer coordinator for Congress. She also thanked the vendors who provided audio, decorating, lighting, shuttle and video services during Congres week for their support and expertise.

Thanking AORN staff members for their work during Congres week and over the year, President Allen said, "We could not fulfill our mission without you." She then recognized and neared a plaque to Mary Jo Steiert, RN CNOR, a Board member who is leaving the Board.

RECOGNITION OF PRESIDENT ALLEN

Tom Cooper Executive Director of AORN, quick in emergenciesed President Allen with a charm bracelet in succession behalf of Headquarters' staff members. Noting that united of President Allen's main themes had been connections, Cooper said that each item onward the bracelet (ie, a flag, a gavel, a lamp of learning, a heart, a nurse) symbolizes President Allen's dedication to nursing and AORN. "When you bring the cessations together, a connection is made," said Cooper In addition, President-elect Donna s Watson, RN, MSN, CNOR, ARNP, FNP-C instanted President Allen with a US flag that flew from one side of to the other AORN Headquarters in Denver, through the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge athwart Washington, DC, and in the convention center during Congres week. President-elect Watson said it symbolized President Allen's intense have affection for of her country.

just discovered BOARD AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

President Allen introduced the 2002-2003 Nominating Committee and Board members. The 2002-2003 AORN Nominating Committee members are Michelle M Byrne RN M PhD CNOR; Sylvia Durrance, RN BSN CNOR; Jane H Flowers, RN MSN CNOR; Antonia (Toni) B Hughes, RN BSN MA, CNOR; Armando Riera, RN BSN CNOR; and advisor Sheila Allen. Board members for 2002-2003 are President Donna s Watson; President-elect Betty J. Shultz RN CNOR; Vice President Michelle suppress RN, MSA, CNOR; Treasurer William J Dully RN BSN MJ CNOR; Secretary Sharon A. McNamara, RN MSN CNOR; Lorraine J Butler RN MSA, CNOR; Debra L Fawcett, RN BSN MS; Paula R Graling, RN MSN CNOR; Charlotte L Guglielmi, RN BSN CNOR; Anita Jo Shoup RN MSN CNOR; Debora s Tanner, RN, BSN, MSM, CNOR; and Nathalie F Walker, RN B CNOR.

fresh PRESIDENT

president Allen introduced Donna s Watson, AORN's 2002-2003 President, saying that she "has been a steadfast force for AORN and a dependable steward in making a difference for perioperative nursing." She believes that Watson will make a difference during her year as President.

Accepting the gavel from Allen, President Watson noted that she would have a tough act to succeed She acknowledged the work of all the members of AORN, saying that it is their care "that really makes a difference for each surgical patient." It is perioperative encourages who "acknowledge the patient with defer to and dignity" and "recognize the patient as mother, father, child, and lov one" This, President Watson emphasized, is genuine power.

President Watson then introduced what will be the centerpiece of her terminus as President--Patient Safety First, an initiative to provide patient safety resources to AORN members. Included in this initiative is a Presidential Commission in succession Patient Safety, whose members will include Doreen Wagner, RN MSN CNOR, chair; Linda Groah, RN M CNOR, CNAA, FAAN; Pat Hickey RN BSN M CNOR; Aileen Killen, RN PhD CNOR; and Linda Wanzer, RN CNOR. The initiative also will include a web site, http://www.patientsafety first.org; a patient safety telephone hotline, available at (866) 285-5209 where callers can receive answers to their patient safety questions; a patient safety e-mail address, available at patientsafetyfirst@aorn.org, where members can obtain advice forward safety issues or offer suggestions for improving safety conditions; a recently made known monthly column in the AORN Journal devot to patient safety issues; a pamphlet cataloging AORN resources related to patient safety; and the May issue of the AORN Journal, which highlights patient safety and includes the strange "AORN guidance statement on safe medication practices in perioperative practice settings." President Watson also announced that Sandel Medical Industries, LLC Chatsworth, Calif, made a commitment of $1 million to become the exclusive sponsor of Patient Safety First. President Watson added that she also will launch initiatives forward workplace safety and disaster preparedness in the coming months