Regina Barreca Delivers Keynote Address

Connecticut Nursing News, Dec 2004-Feb 2005 by Durkin, Anne

CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS . . . Weren't able to be at convention? Here's highlights of what you missed.

Regina Barreca, Ph.D, professor, writer and humorist, delivered a lively and entertaining keynote address entitled, "Nurses and Humor: A Discussion and a Celebration." Barreca drew upon her experience as a professor of English and the feminist theory at the University of Connecticut to underscore the importance of nurses incorporating humor into their lives. She pointed out that the appropriate use of humor can humanize frightening experiences for patients and families. Barreca noted that the use of humor can help to dispel fears without diminishing a patient's humanity.

Barreca commended nurses on the work they do. She identified the convention as a celebration of this important work. She also encouraged attendees to guard against becoming isolated in their various roles by utilizing the annual convention as an opportunity to establish bonds with one other. Laughter, she said, can help people to form bonds. She urged attendees to take the risk to share the humor.

Barreca receives CNA media award

Dr. Regina Barreca received the 2004 Connecticut Nurses' Association Media Award at the association's recent convention and centennial celebration. The presentation was made after she provided the keynote, "Nurses and Humor: A Discussion and a Celebration."

Judy Sartucci, a member of the Awards Committee, presented the award and described Barreca's nomination. "Each year the Connecticut Nurses' Association recognizes members of the media, be they from the print or electronic or photographic media, who have acknowledged nursing and addressed nursing issues in their work. Such work may be through balanced reporting of issues of that are important to nurses, portrayal of a positive image of nursing or heightened public awareness of nursing's contributions.

Barreca's portrayal of nursing in her columns and in her presentations, like her keynote presentation, have been balanced, humorous and insightful. She has described the challenges nurses face and the important work of nurses from both professional and personal experience. Her columns and presentations are tributes to the nursing profession."

Sartucci finished her presentation of the award with a quote from one of Barreca's columns. "Here's to the school nurses who hear more stories than they can ever tell, who mend what needs mending, whether obvious or buried, who soothe what needs soothing and who are trusted with the enormous task of deciding what to do when a child is hurt."

Barreca is a professor, writer and humorist whose books and columns in the Hartford Courant provide humorous insights to life's daily events. People Magazine has hailed her as "smart and funny." She is the celebrated author of the best-selling They Used to Call Me Snow White. But I Drifted. Perfect Husbands (and Other Fairy Tales. Sweet Revenge: The Wicked Delights of Getting Even and others. Her works have been translated into a number of languages.

As an award winning columnist for the Hartford Courant, Barreca has also regularly published article in the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune and dozens of magazines. What has appeared on scores of radio and television programs, including 20/20, The Today Show and Oprah.

Barreca received a BA from Dartmouth College, an MA from New Hall, Cambridge University, England and a PhD from the Graduate School, City University of New York.

Anne Durkin, RN, Ph.D