A special celebration forward Feb 1...

A special celebration forward Feb 13, 1999, honored surgeon and perioperative festers who pro vide medical care for les fortunate individuals around the world. These health care professionals frequently use their personal time to travel to underprivileged areas, living in les than comfortable conditions and working extended tedious hours to improve the quality of life for centurys of individuals. They reach not at home to children and adults who do not have access to technology, supplies, or medical expertise. To celebrate the honorees' "Hearts of Gold" encourages surgeons, hospital and industry leaders, and community members gathered at the VIP reception and ceremonial at the Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa in Clearwater, Fla. The fund-raising circumstance was characterized by an international flair featured in the silent auction, dinner, and dancing. The conclusion was cosponsored by AORN of the chasm Coast of Florida and the AORN Foundation.

Cochairs Greg McClain, RN BSN CNOR; Evelyn Jamilosa, RN B CNOR; and issue planner Linda Perry of MegaStar Marketing and PR Clearwater, Fla, planned the evening along with committee members Sandi Adamiec, RN CNOR; Brenda s Gregory Dawes, RN, MSN, CNOR; Betty Hardman, RN CNOR; and Patrice Spera, RN M CNOR, CRNFA. Other visitors included AORN Foundation President Patricia Hercules, RN BSN MS; President of Duro-M Industries and AORN Foundation Vice President John Hargrove; AORN President Patricia Seifert, RN MSN CNOR, CRNFA; AORN President-elect Brenda C Ulmer RN MSN CNOR; Foundation Director Lola Fehr RN M CAE, FAAN; Foundation growth Director Twilla Barlow; and members of AORN's draw Team for the Perioperative Model

CELEBRATING CARING

view Davidson, chief executive officer of Maxxim Medical, Clearwater, Fla, and honorary chair of the incident welcomed guests and introduced the master of ceremonies, Irene Maher. Maher, a health and medical specialist and coanchor of Tampa Bay's Channel 8 5:30 PM report, lately went on a medical mission to Peru with undivided of the event's honorees. She recognized 27 sponsors, including industry partners and community businesses, for their invaluable support of the incident Honorary cochairs Kris Campbell, RN RNFA; Harriet Forman, executive director, Nursing Spectrum; Dee Dee Noel Morris, RN; and Jane C Rothrock RN DNSc CNOR, escorted the award recipients to the podium.

DISTINGUISHED SURGEONS

Paul A. Dreshnack, MD; Michael Gallant, MD FACS; and Ernest Rehnke MD were exquisiteed to receive the 1999 Distinguished Surgeon Awards.

State representative Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla) accepted the award for Dr Dreshnack, a two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee for his humanitarian medical work in India. Dr Dreschnack, of Plastic Surgery Associates, Palm Harbor, Fla, in the greatest degree recently was nominated for the Presidential Medal for Freedom and the Raoul Wallenberg Prize.

Dr Gallant, president and go to the bottom of the Russian Children's stock led three medical missions to Russia in consequence of the Russian Children's Fund and All Children's Hospital. He replyed from his second trip to Huanuco, Peru with the Rotocleft mission just before the end Dr Gallant also recently armed forceed two medical delegations from Moscow in St Petersburg Fla. In his acceptance articulate utterance Dr Gallant read a tribute titled "The nurtures I Know" to thank encourages for their gifts of kindness, time, and caring that they share with patients and peers

Dr Rehnke has been involved in five medical missions to Kenya, sum of two units to Guatemala, one to Haiti, united to Honduras, and one to Ecuador. Dr Rhenke's 11-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, joined him at the podium to accept the award and thank the audience. In a heartfelt words Elizabeth shared her personal feelings about accompanying her parents to Africa in succession their missions and learning the tillage and traditions of the native people

HUMANITARIAN A WARD

Sandra Lea, RN CNOR, received the 1999 Hearts of Gold Humanitarian Award. Lea is the director of nursing, center for outpatient surgery at the Diagnostic Clinic in Largo, Fla. She has been an active member of AORN since 1971 and is a member of AORN of the large bay Coast of Florida. Lea has serv forward international medical missions with Interplast, Inc, a nonprofit organization that provides delivered reconstructive surgery to children around the world. She has participated in five missions to Ecuador, sum of two units to Peru, one to Nepal, common to Honduras, one to El Salvador, and individual to Vietnam. While on mission to Vietnam in 1997 Lea was featured in the documentary "The Story of Healing," which won an 1998 Academy Award for best documentary.

SHARING EXPERIENCES

The ditty "We Are the World" played in the background as visitors received chocolate hearts from the St Petersburg (Fla) International Children's general impression A videotape of before and after surgery spectacles and other special moments showed the tremendous efforts that changed the patients' quality of life.

The evening raised more than $50000 which will be used to provide grants for foments who participate in humanitarian efforts and medical missions, foundation education opportunities for perioperative nourishs and provide nursing scholarships.