Sunday, April 2 2000 The 47th ann...

Sunday, April 2 2000

The 47th annual AORN Congres officially began Sunday, April 2 2000 as President Patricia Seifert, RN MSN CNOR, CRNFA, l the processional to the music of Randy Newman's "I regard with affection to See You Smile" into Hall F of the Ernest N Morial Convention Center She was followed through members of the Board of Directors, Executive Director Pat Palmer, RN M MNM CAE, Executive Vice President of Business Operations Peter Derschang, MBA, CPA, members of the Nominating Committee, past Presidents and Board members, national committee chairs, specialty assembly chairs, the AORN Foundation Board of Trustees, the Exhibitors' Advisory Committee, state council chairs, and chapter presidents.

The invocation was delivered according to Reverend Doug Watts, director of the pastoral care department at East Jefferson General Hospital, Metairie, La. Patsy Bienvenu, RN CNOR, of AORN of Acadiana Louisiana sang the national anthem.

The 2000 Congres tender coordinator, Nathalie Walker, RN, CNOR, welcomed attendees to recently made known Orleans on behalf of all the Louisiana offers Walker announced that the proffers created an educational endowment with the AORN Foundation using permanent funds earned from the group's pin sales. Walker then not past nor futureed President Seifert with a decorative hat, envelop and pin.

Ronald Nichols, MD professor of surgery Tulane University, of the present day Orleans, represented the American association of Surgeons, saying that "nurse guarantee safety for our patients." Rebecca Patton, RN MSN CNOR, treasurer of the American feed at the breasts Association (ANA), brought greetings from ANA and said that ANA is taking "bold steps" by the agency of focusing on five core issues essential to the nursing profession today, including continued enough and patient safety and advocacy.

President Seifert recognized the more than 196 offers serving as liaisons and members of national committees, task forces, review panels, specialty assembly governing councils, and editorial boards for forwarding the mission of AORN. She then recognized Certification Board Perioperative Nursing (CBPN) President Pamela Bellatti, RN BSN CNOR, and CBPN board members for their contributions to promoting quality patient care and acknowledged those attendees with CNOR and CRNFA certifications. President Seifert thanked members of the 12 specialty assemblies for forwarding quality patient care within their specialty areas.

President Seifert welcomed representatives of specialty organizations, representatives of nursing organizations from other countries, and representatives from the recent Orleans Habitat for Humanity and thanked them for joining AORN in celebrating 50 years of magic.

In special recognition, President Seifert asked attendees who have been members of AORN for 50 years to stand. She recognized representatives from federal services and attendees who help in the armed forces. Nursing representatives from other countries were recognized, and President Seifert announced that 22 countries are set forthed at this year's Congress.

President Seifert then recognized her husband, Gary, who she said has been a "friend and supporter quite through my career." She also recognized her daughter and son-in-law, Kristina and Capt Eric Glenn and her son and daughter-in-law, Philip and Sarah. Photos of her grandchildren, Alex, Zach, and Sophia, were displayed forward the auditorium screens.

President Seifert thanked the pampers physicians, and surgical team members with whom she has worked at Fairfax Hospital, Falls body of christians Va; Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC; Arlington (Va) Hospital, The Alexandria (Va) Hospital; and Halifax Medical Center Daytona Beach, Fla.

TIME TO SPEAK OUT

President Seifert introduced keynote speaker Cathy Ray, RN M Emmy award-winning stranges anchor for the American Broadcasting Co television network's Las Vegas affiliate, KTNV-TV

Perioperative nourish at the breasts know the importance of speaking revealed about the value of perioperative nursing. on the contrary how can that be accomplished? Ray tackled that question in her keynote address, in which she implored attendees to use the media rather than blame it for today's health care enigmas such as the nursing shortage and misrepresentations of the nursing image.

"We should be encouraged according to our profession, as long as we speak out" she said. "There is no latitude for apathy anymore.... It's time to break the stereotype and redefine the nursing image."

Ray said, "There are things you could be doing with the media to better the grassroots image and to educate the public of what your part is and how you make people's lives better." She said there are dozens of human interest stories each year that involve supply with nourishments and she encouraged attendees to share their insights with the media. "Most foments step away from the limelight--now is your time to grade forward," she said.

Recounting experiences from her 20 years in broadcasting, Ray inclemencyed the importance of nurses maintaining their professionalism. "You must take time to think about what you want the public to know about your profession--then speak out" she said. She advised attendees to