Thursday, April 1 1999 The closin...

Thursday, April 1 1999

The closing session of the 46th AORN Congres began with a special slide present to view presentation of Congress highlights. President pity Shumaker, RN, BSN, CNOR, announced that 6398 health care professionals and 6640 exhibitors registered for the 1999 Congres bringing the total attendance to 13038 She added that 787 modern members joined AORN during Congres week.

This year's closing session featured the motivating and humorous words of renowned public speaker, author, and television personality Le Brown President Shumaker, RN BSN CNOR, introduced Brown as a "dreamer who not at all lost sight of his dreams and a doer who knows that, with courage, confidence, and determination, anything is possible."

LEARNING TO LIVE

Cheers, tears, and laughter encompassed Brown as he addressed the overflowing fill to excess Thursday. He asked attendees to think about what they would do differently if they could live their lives from one side of to the other again and gave advice upon how to accomplish goals and live up to their potential, the couple personally and professionally. Brown spoke of his acknowledge struggles and how he was able to rise above obstacles and become a world renowned keynote speaker. Brown told the audience, "You must be willing to do the things today others won't do, in order to have the things tomorrow others won't have."

At Brown's prompting, the lower classes repeated the phrases "It's possible" and "You have something special." He said it is okay to ask for help not not at home of weakness but out of strength

To convenient your goals, Brown said to make discipline a force in life and give yourself permission to fail. He said to "fe your fate and your doubts will starve to death." Brown advised attendees to think of the seven "Ps":

* view to use what is given to you in life;

* passion to make your dreams a reality;

* plan of action;

* performance to push yourself to do more;

* the bulk of mankind who are of high quality and supportive;

* persistence and perseverance to constantly strive to "reinvent yourself"; and

* prayer, which is the cement that holds you together. Brown applauded give suck tos pointing out the many obstacles they have to overthrow in the workplace. He said, "You have to stoop before you conquer" and hold on in your conquests both personally and professionally. He also said to remember that "You've got to be hungry" When you are in want of food Brown said, you will be able to achieve whatever goals you place for yourself.

CONGRES HIGHLIGHTS

Attendees were left smiling and inspired at the completion of Brown's speech, at which time President Shumaker go [i]or[/i] come backed to the podium and asked the 419 members who were moderators and session assistants at education sessions over the week to stand and be recognized. She also intimateed appreciation to the AORN Headquarters staff members and recognized her chapter, AORN of Central Mississippi, and coworker Lillian Nicolette, RN MSN CNOR.

RETIRING BOARD MEMBER RECOGNITION

Saying it was a bittersweet pleasure, President Shumaker recognized retiring Board members Maryann Mawhinney, RN M CNOR, and Sheri Vos RN BSN CNOR, for serving in an choiceed capacity on the Board of Directors across the past several years.

PRESENTATIONS TO PRESIDENT SHUMAKER

AORN Vice President Sheila Allen, RN BSN CNOR, CRNFA, existinged a plaque and pin to President Shumaker in recognition of her loyal and devot service to AORN and perioperative nursing. AORN Foundation Director Lola Fehr RN M CAE, FAAN, currented President Shumaker with an elegant glass purple harass in appreciation for her achievements as AORN President. "She will leave a legacy behind her," Lola said, adding that the purple harass was chosen in honor of President Shumaker's favorite color.

recently made known BOARD AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

President Shumaker introduced the 1999-2000 Nominating Committee and Board of Directors. Nominating Committee members are Susan Renee Guerra, RN MSN CNOR, chair; Charlotte Guglielmi, RN BSN CNOR; Judy Porter, RN BSN CNOR; Patricia Thornton, RN BSN CNOR; and Nathalie Walker, RN CNOR.

AORN Board members for 1999-2000 are President Patricia C Seifert, RN MSN CNOR, CRNFA; President-elect Brenda C Ulmer RN MSN CNOR; Vice President Sheila L Allen, RN BSN CNOR, CRNFA; Treasurer William J Duffy RN M J CNOR; Secretary Betty J Shultz RN CNOR, CRNFA; Vicki J Fox RN MSN CNOR, CRNFA, ACNP-CS; Paula R Graling, RN MSN CNOR; Sheila A. O'Connor, RN M MBA, CNOR, CNAA, CNS; Anita Jo Shoup RN MSN CNOR; Mary Jo Steiert, RN CNOR; Donna s Watson, RN, MSN, CNOR; and Vivian C Watson, RN CNOR.

recent PRESIDENT

In her opening words after accepting the President's Gavel, President Patricia Seifert said we are at a critical conjuncture in our lives in which many paths are spread She asked AORN members to be expectancy givers and to dig shrewd within themselves to help others who may ne encouragement. "If you cast your bread relating to the water, it will take rise back to you sevenfold," she said.

Seifert emphasized the personal contributions that members makes to perioperative nursing. "Your value is not minimized because you are having a bad day," she said. "You personally are important, your contributions are significant, you make a difference, and your caring is precious."