Passing of the president's gavel brings AORN's 54th annual Congress to a close: Thursday, March 15, 2007

AORN Journal,  June, 2007  by Rebecca L. Holm

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President Paula Graling, RN, MSN, CNOR, CNS, began the Closing Session by showing a video highlighting events from the week and thanking all those who helped make the 54th AORN Congress and her year as President a success. Charlotte Guglielmi, RN, BSN, CNOR, thanked President Graling for her leadership, intelligence, and fortitude. "We only learned today that President Graling is a show-time psychic," joked Guglielmi, referring to President Graling's performance at the Closing General Session "but we've known all year about her passion for our organization. We thank her for the flame she brought to us. Our Association is a brighter place because of [her] partnership with the Board and [her] leadership of our organization."

President Graling thanked Ellen Murphy, RN, JD, FAAN, for coming out of retirement to serve the organization during the search for a new Executive Director. Murphy presented President Graling with a life-long membership to AORN and other gifts of appreciation. President Graling then welcomed AORN's 20072008 Nominating Committee members; Board of Directors officers and members; and the new Executive Director Linda Groah, RN, MSN, CNOR, CNAA, FAAN to the stage. President Graling presented President-elect Mary Jo Steiert, RN, BSN, CNOR with the presidential badge, president's pin, and business cards, and then passed her the gavel.

President Steiert spoke eloquently about outgoing President Graling saying, "This Board, under Paula Graling's courageous and thoughtful leadership, has made momentous decisions that will continue to direct AORN's future." President Steiert recognized her home chapter, AORN of Denver, for "raising the bar as an example of a strong chapter willing to embrace younger members and new ideas." President Steiert was especially grateful to her employer, colleagues, and family members for "supporting [her] even when it wasn't convenient for them."

President Steiert told attendees and members that AORN is beginning a new era under the leadership of our new Executive Director, Linda Groah, who is an experienced perioperative nurse; an active AORN volunteer; and a well-respected, knowledgeable, visionary businesswoman. "This is an exciting time for our Association [because it is] a period of transition where real change can occur.... This is the beginning of a great future for AORN." President Steiert then outlined her goals for the coming year, which include

* developing leaders,

* encouraging nurses and those who are not yet nurses to enter the field of perioperative practice,

* promoting safety for patients and care providers and acknowledging the effects of violence and harassment in the workplace, and

* providing tools for the perioperative nurse to practice at his or her best in whatever setting perioperative patient care is occurring.

President Steiert asked attendees to recognize and embrace the power of the perioperative nurse, reminding them that the president of the American Nurses Association is a perioperative nurse and a member of AORN. One of President Steiert's goals is to maintain the strong relationships that have been developed with perioperative partners while AORN continues to ensure that standards of care for perioperative patients are endorsed by the entire surgical team.

President Steiert told attendees that the theme of Congress 2008 will be "Share Your Passion; Illuminate Our Profession." Next, she presented the 2008 Congress logo, which represents "the blue sky of infinite possibilities; a star burst reflecting the extensive outreach and influence of perioperative nursing; [and] the AORN logo [at] the center core, revealing a solid membership and a rich heritage." President Steiert ended by saying, "We must learn without limits, grow without limits, and dream without limits.... Together we [will] reach for that unknown place that brings us personal and professional growth, accomplishments, and joys we never dreamed we could achieve."

REBECCA L. HOLM,

RN, MSN, CNOR

CLINICAL EDITOR

COPYRIGHT 2007 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning