49th annual AORN Congress begins with opening session: Sunday, April 21, 2002 - Opening Session

AORN Journal, July, 2002 by Nikki Parker, Nancy K. Kuehl, Barb Schmidt

On Sunday morning, AORN President Sheila Allen, RN, BSN, CNOR, CRNFA, opened Congress by entering the arena of the Anaheim Convention Center to music from the Lion King. A processional of more than 150 AORN leaders and members followed, including the AORN Board of Directors, the Executive Director, Nominating Committee members, past Presidents, Golden Gavel members, national committee and task force chairs, specialty assembly chairs, AORN Foundation Board of Trustees, Certification Board Perioperative Nursing (CBPN) board of directors, Exhibitors' Advisory Committee members, chapter presidents, and state council chairs.

The Reverend David Allen, President Allen's brother-in-law, gave the invocation after asking the audience to join in a moment of silence for caregivers and military personnel around the world. Jennifer Bassler with the Young Americans then sang the national anthem.

In recognition of the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a videotape presentation of the tragic events set to the music of John Lennon's "Imagine" was shown. Of the attacks, President Allen said, "It brought us together as a nation, an Association, and a world." She asked attendees to share in a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives on that horrific day. She also requested that attendees join in a moment of silence to recognize members of AORN who passed away during the past year.

President Allen introduced AORN's Executive Director, Tom Cooper, CAE,. Cooper addressed the audience by saying, "September 11 was a defining moment in our history that will remain with us for the rest of our lives." He called the firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers heroes and said that nurses too are heroes who endure long hours, hazardous conditions, and debilitating verbal abuse, which drew applause from the audience. Cooper concluded by calling perioperative nurses the "unsung, everyday heroes of the health care system." See page 16 in this issue of the Journal for Cooper's complete remarks.

Marilyn Sanderson, RN, BSN, CNOR, 2002 Congress volunteer coordinator, joined President Allen on stage. She said it was a honor to serve as volunteer coordinator and added, "the only thing I was able to coordinate was the good weather." AORN members from California who acted as hosts during Congress were recognized by President Allen.

GREETINGS

President Allen introduced R. Scott Jones, MD, president-elect of the Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Dr Jones brought attendees greetings from ACS, saying, "You don't know how reassuring it is to have that little whisper in the ear," referring to the perioperative nurses who have kept him out of trouble during the past 40 years. Communication and collaboration between all parties in the perioperative setting is necessary, said Dr Jones, concluding, "Our group will work steadfastly with you in the future."

Sherron Kurtz, RN, MSA, CNOR, CNAA, president of CBPN, offered greetings from the organization. "AORN has done many wise things," she said, referring particularly to forming a committee in the 1970s to address the issue of certification. Kurtz recognized the CNORs and certified RN first assistants in the audience by asking them to stand for a moment of recognition. She said, "One of the most important things we have to do is celebrate our commitment to patient care and excellence."

RECOGNITION

President Allen recognized those in attendance who are members of the American Academy of Nursing by asking them to stand. She also asked those who serve as liaisons and members of national committees, task forces, grassroots activities, specialty assembly governing councils, and editorial boards to stand and be recognized. She then recognized the members of AORN's 12 specialty assemblies.

AORN is fortunate to work with many colleagues from around the world. President Allen recognized colleagues from seven specialty organizations, representatives of federal services, members of the armed forces, and colleagues from eight international nursing organizations. Next, President Allen recognized those attending Congress from 24 foreign countries.

President Allen introduced members of her family, including her daughter Julie, who is a perioperative RN; son Kurt; husband Tommy; twin sister Sharon Monlezun and her husband Charles; niece Cherie; and brother-in-law the Reverend Allen. She also presented a plaque to Monica Nijoka-Winkler, vice president of nursing, Baton Rouge General Medical Center, Baton Rouge, La, her employer, for their support of her presidency. She recognized members of AORN of Baton Rouge Area, the Louisiana State Council, and her industry colleagues.

A videotape of the awards ceremony held Saturday night was shown to highlight the events of the evening. President Allen then announced the debut of AORN--Emergence and Growth, the much anticipated book detailing AORN's history. She applauded both authors, Laurie Glass, RN, PhD, FAAN, and Ellen Murphy, RN, JD, FAAN, past President of AORN, and Ethicon, who funded content development of the book with a generous grant.