AORN of Denver and the AORN Foundation combine fund-raising and recognition

AORN Journal, Sept, 1999 by Brenda S. Gregory Dawes

The Colorado mountains were a beautiful backdrop for a golf tournament hosted by the AORN of Denver chapter and the AORN Foundation on June 14, 1999. The event also recognized perioperative nurses from the Denver area for their participation in the Columbine High School tragedy. Event committee chair Terry Russell,. RN; Barbara Herschelman, RN, CNOR; Gerry Hopkins, RN, CNOR; Marcy Huss, RN, CNOR; Ellen Lord, RN, MS, CNOR; Julie Martin, RN; and representatives from the AORN Foundation Board of Trustees planned the golf tournament, dinner, and program of recognition at the Ranch Country Club in Westminster, Colo. President Patricia Seifert, RN, MSN, CNOR, CRNFA, served as master of ceremonies and introduced the AORN Board of Directors and the AORN Foundation Board of Trustees.

SPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT RECOGNIZED

After a spirit-lifting day of golf, team members; joined other supporters who did not golf for dinner at the country club. AORN Foundation trustee Robert E. Tyler announced team tournament awards for first and second place. Individuals were recognized for closest to pin and longest drive. Gratitude was expressed to tournament sponsors and contributors who supported the event.

Corporate hole sponsors included

* Centura Health-St Anthony Central;

* Exempla Healthcare-St Joseph Hospital;

* Healthpoint Medical;

* Medibuy.com; and

* Valleylab, Inc, in honor of AORN President-elect Brenda C. Ulmer, RN, MN, CNOR. Team sponsors included

* Advanced Technology Solutions;

* Certification Boards, Inc;

* DePuy, Inc;

* Ethicon Endosurgery;

* Howmedica Osteonics;

* Rose Medical Center;

* Medline Industries, Inc;

* Regent Medical, in honor of AORN Board of Directors member Anita Jo Shoup, RN, MSN, CNOR; and

* Richard K. Parker, MD.

The Presbyterian/St Luke's Medical Center sponsored the beverage cart, and Getinge/Castle sponsored the dinner tickets for the nurses involved with caring for victims of the Columbine High School tragedy.

PRESIDENT RECOGNIZES PERIOPERATIVE NURSES

President Seifert recognized perioperative RNs who were part of the surgical teams operating during the Columbine High School tragedy on April 20, 1999, and all perioperative nurses who continuously offer their skills and knowledge. President Seifert described perioperative nurses as the "heroes behind the mask that surgical patients rely upon, but usually are not aware of." She shared special feelings about the people involved in tragedies of this nature and who diligently work to care for perioperative patients through an open letter to perioperative nurses:

   Heroes are around us every day. In the course of our day-to-day lives, we
   rarely stop to think about the important contributions they make to the
   quality of our lives. That is until something like the tragedy at Columbine
   High School in Littleton, Colorado, slams us to a standstill and brings
   into focus just how much we depend on these everyday heroes. These are the
   people who must rely upon their professional and technical expertise and
   maintain their composure when the world around them is in chaos.

   We salute the efforts of all who were involved in caring for these young
   victims and helping to make them safe. We are especially proud of the
   perioperative registered nurses who were key members of surgical teams
   across the Denver metropolitan area that worked to make these young victims
   whole again.

   Perioperative registered nurses and all health care professionals are
   dedicated to helping patients achive their optimal health every day. At
   difficult times like this, they serve as a bridge to help the rest of us
   regain a sense of normalcy.

Cathy Andrews, RN, CNOR, immediate past president of AORN of Denver, recalled the meaningful and memorable events of the afternoon of April 20. She reflected on her own reactions and those of nurses with whom she works, and the questions and feelings of sorrow that were prevalent among staff members.

President Seifert and Mary Jo Steiert, RN,CNOR, Board of Directors member and member of AORN of Denver, presented a gift of a paperweight with an engraved columbine to all AORN of Denver chapter members present at local hospitals who helped care for victims. Nurses from the Denver area who were recognized for their efforts during the Columbine High School tragedy included

* Nancy Anderson, RN;

* Cathy Andrews;

* Shirley Casady, RN, CNOR;

* Eileen Havey, RN, CNOR;

* Stephanie Higgins, RN;

* Karen Knipe, RN;

* Bill Knox, RN, CNOR;

* Karen Link, RN, CNOR;

* Sharon Luhrs, RN, CNOR;

* Robin Maher, RN, CNOR;

* Denise Maxwell, RN, CNOR;

* Marie Mizek, RN;

* David VanTassel, RN; and

* Belva Wiers, RN, CNOR.

EVENT INCREASES AWARENESS

Media coverage of the event provided an opportunity to increase awareness of perioperative nursing. Interviews with nurses who were involved in the tragedy generated press in the Rocky Mountain News (Denver) and The Denver Post and broadcast coverage on KCNC, Channel 4, the Denver affiliate of CBS. AORN of Denver and the AORN Foundation raised $30,000 at this fund-raising event.