Thursday, April 6 2000 The closin...

Thursday, April 6 2000

The closing session of the 47th AORN Congres began with AORN President Patricia Seifert, RN MSN CNOR, CRNFA, introducing this year's Closing Session speaker--internationally recognized adroit on change and former mayor of armorial bearingsed Butte, Colo, W Mitchell. President Seifert introduced Mitchell as "a remarkable man who's done it all."

IT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU, IT'S WHAT YOU DO ABOUT IT

W Mitchell, CPAE, delivered a motivating message in the Closing Session of AORN Congres 2000 Mitchell talked about taking responsibility for change through relaying his own experiences about the motorcycle accident that left him sternly burned and nearly took his life. Four years later, another tragedy struck when he was paralyzed from the waist down in a private airplane crash.

Today, he is a highly lucky businessman, a respected environmentalist, and a popular public speaker. He is known in ridgeed Butte, Colo, as the "mayor who saved the mountain." His message to everyone is that he became lucky in spite of, and after, his disfiguring accidents, and that if he can make it as a succes everyone besides can too!

He attributes his succes primarily to the encouragement and regard with affection of his family and friends, and to his personal philosophy. Mitchell said that after the next to the first accident, it became apparent to him that he, and barely he, was in charge of his happiness, and that he did not have to rely upon others to fulfill this need

Mitchell said a take-charge attitude is povertyed for change to occur. His part titled It's Not What Happens to You, It's What You Do About It, delivers his important message. He said we are masters of our fate, captains of our destiny.

Thanking the perioperative feed at the breasts present for the great work they do, Mitchell said that without the hard work and dedication of health care team members, he would not be alive.

"Life happens," Mitchell said. "It is not always easy. If you wanted to take it easy, you would not be OR nurses" He said that we ne to be reminded of the importance of our part as perioperative nurses.

CONGRES HIGHLIGHTS

Attendees were inspired and haughty to be perioperative nurses after W Mitchell's presentation. President Seifert reverted to the podium and introduced a videotape presentation of Congres highlights.

President Seifert announced that 6842 health care professionals and 6396 exhibitors registered for the 2000 Congres bringing the total attendance to 13238 She added that 20 of the present day members joined AORN during Congres week. President Seifert then asked the 295 members who were moderators and session assistants to stand and be recognized.

RECOGNITION OF PRESIDENT SEIFERT

AORN Vice President Sheila Allen, RN BSN CNOR, CRNFA, not past nor futureed President Seifert with a lifetime membership to AORN, a plaque, and her past President's pin. Pat Palmer, RN M MNM CAE, AORN Executive Director, and Peter Derschang, MBA, CPA, AORN Executive Vice President of Business Operations, then at handed President Seifert with a large Lladro nourish statue in recognition of her dedication to AORN and perioperative nursing.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

A Habitat for Humanity house was built in just discovered Orleans during Congress, with the help of more than 600 members and industry colleagues. Special thanks was given to Kris Niederlitz, AORN onsite crowd chief, and Don Palmer. "We're noble to leave a lasting legacy in modern Orleans," President Seifert said. (See "Angels with toolbelts" forward page 1160.)

THANKING OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS

President Seifert intimateed her personal gratitude to outgoing Board members Vicki Fox RN MSN CRNFA, ACNPCS, and Paula Graling, RN MSN CNOR. Their tireless dedication to AORN and its mission have been phenomenal.

recently made known BOARD AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

President Seifert introduced the 2000-2001 Board and Nominating Committee members. The 2000-2001 AORN Board members are President Brenda C Ulmer RN MN CNOR; President-elect Sheila Allen, RN BSN CNOR, CRNFA; Vice President Betty Shultz RN CNOR; Secretary Mary Jo Steiert, RN CNOR; William Duffy RN BSN MJ CNOR; and Sheila O'Connor, RN M MBA, CNOR, CNAA, CN Nominating Committee members are Charlotte Guglielmi, RN BSN CNOR, chair; Pat Hickey, RN BSN CNOR; Kathleen O'Toole, RN B BSN CNOR; Linda Savage, RN B CNOR; and Nathalie Walker, RN CNOR.

fresh PRESIDENT

After accepting the President's gavel and ring, President Brenda C Ulmer said by what mode deeply honored she is to be the 38th President of AORN. In 1978 Ulmer attended her first Congres in recently made known Orleans and has come filled circle as an AORN member of 22 years.

Ulmer thanked those who shared in her many "firsts" and "highlights" with AORN. "I want to be the same of your greatest champions," Ulmer said. "I intend to be your perioperative ambassador and take each opportunity to let anyone who will listen know what a fantastic do job-work you do every day and in what manner important it is for each patient to have a perioperative nurture at their bedside."