Closing Session creates excitement, plans for the future; Thursday, April 25, 2002 - Closing Session - Brief Article

AORN Journal, July, 2002 by Barb Schmidt

Thursday, April 25, 2002

The Closing Session of the 49th annual AORN Congress began with President Sheila Allen, RN, BSN, CNOR, CRNFA, telling a story about life and how, like an echo, it gives back everything you say or do. President Allen urged everyone to create in their own lives what they would like to see in the world. She characterized Congress week by saying, "I am drinking from my saucer because the cup has overflowed."

President Allen introduced a short videotape with highlights of the week. After the videotape ended, she announced that there were 6,464 attendees and 5,902 exhibitors at Congress for a total attendance of 12,366. One hundred nineteen students attended Congress, and 98 nurses joined or renewed their AORN membership at Congress.

RECOGNITION

President Allen recognized the more than 230 members who acted as moderators and session assistants at education sessions during the week. She thanked Marilyn Sanderson for her efforts as volunteer coordinator for Congress. She also thanked the vendors who provided audio, decorating, lighting, shuttle, and video services during Congress week for their support and expertise.

Thanking AORN staff members for their work during Congress week and throughout the year, President Allen said, "We could not fulfill our mission without you." She then recognized and presented a plaque to Mary Jo Steiert, RN, CNOR, a Board member who is leaving the Board.

RECOGNITION OF PRESIDENT ALLEN

Tom Cooper, Executive Director of AORN, presented President Allen with a charm bracelet on behalf of Headquarters' staff members. Noting that one of President Allen's main themes had been connections, Cooper said that each item on the bracelet (ie, a flag, a gavel, a lamp of learning, a heart, a nurse) symbolizes President Allen's dedication to nursing and AORN. "When you bring the ends together, a connection is made," said Cooper. In addition, President-elect Donna S. Watson, RN, MSN, CNOR, ARNP, FNP-C, presented President Allen with a US flag that flew over AORN Headquarters in Denver, over the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, over Washington, DC, and in the convention center during Congress week. President-elect Watson said it symbolized President Allen's intense love of her country.

NEW BOARD AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

President Allen introduced the 2002-2003 Nominating Committee and Board members. The 2002-2003 AORN Nominating Committee members are Michelle M. Byrne, RN, MS, PhD, CNOR; Sylvia Durrance, RN, BSN, CNOR; Jane H. Flowers, RN, MSN, CNOR; Antonia (Toni) B. Hughes, RN, BSN, MA, CNOR; Armando Riera, RN, BSN, CNOR; and advisor Sheila Allen. Board members for 2002-2003 are President Donna S. Watson; President-elect Betty J. Shultz, RN, CNOR; Vice President Michelle Burke, RN, MSA, CNOR; Treasurer William J. Dully, RN, BSN, MJ, CNOR; Secretary Sharon A. McNamara, RN, MSN, CNOR; Lorraine J. Butler, RN, MSA, CNOR; Debra L. Fawcett, RN, BSN, MS; Paula R. Graling, RN, MSN, CNOR; Charlotte L. Guglielmi, RN, BSN, CNOR; Anita Jo Shoup, RN, MSN, CNOR; Debora S. Tanner, RN, BSN, MSM, CNOR; and Nathalie F. Walker, RN, BS, CNOR.

NEW PRESIDENT

president Allen introduced Donna S. Watson, AORN's 2002-2003 President, saying that she "has been a steadfast force for AORN and a dependable steward in making a difference for perioperative nursing." She believes that Watson will make a difference during her year as President.

Accepting the gavel from Allen, President Watson noted that she would have a tough act to follow. She acknowledged the work of all the members of AORN, saying that it is their care "that truly makes a difference for every surgical patient." It is perioperative nurses who "acknowledge the patient with respect and dignity" and "recognize the patient as mother, father, child, and loved one." This, President Watson emphasized, is true power.

President Watson then introduced what will be the centerpiece of her term as President--Patient Safety First, an initiative to provide patient safety resources to AORN members. Included in this initiative is a Presidential Commission on Patient Safety, whose members will include Doreen Wagner, RN, MSN, CNOR, chair; Linda Groah, RN, MS, CNOR, CNAA, FAAN; Pat Hickey RN, BSN, MS, CNOR; Aileen Killen, RN, PhD, CNOR; and Linda Wanzer, RN, CNOR. The initiative also will include a web site, http://www.patientsafety first.org; a patient safety telephone hotline, available at (866) 285-5209, where callers can receive answers to their patient safety questions; a patient safety e-mail address, available at patientsafetyfirst@aorn.org, where members can obtain advice on safety issues or offer suggestions for improving safety conditions; a new monthly column in the AORN Journal devoted to patient safety issues; a brochure cataloging AORN resources related to patient safety; and the May issue of the AORN Journal, which highlights patient safety and includes the new "AORN guidance statement on safe medication practices in perioperative practice settings." President Watson also announced that Sandel Medical Industries, LLC, Chatsworth, Calif, made a commitment of $1 million to become the exclusive sponsor of Patient Safety First. President Watson added that she also will launch initiatives on workplace safety and disaster preparedness in the coming months.