Southern Arizona nurse practitioner of the year award

Arizona Nurse,  Jan 1999  

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The Southern Arizona Nurse Practitioners (Chapter of AzNA) presented the annual Nurse Practitioner Award for 1998 to Barbara Palmer, tN, A/GNP

Barbara became involved ir the Tucson/Alma Partnership: American International Health Alliance (AIHA) community service project in July of 1996, when invited to sit in on meetings for the establishment of a women's wellness clinic in Almaty, Kazachstan. Her first trip to Almaty came in January, 1997. Barbara and 3 others spent 2 weeks assessing the geographical layout of the clinic, distribution of equipment and materials donated from the Tucson area, and technical skills for the medical staff.

In May 1997, the medical staff from the women's wellness center came to Tucson for a 4-week educational session. Education was provided on pap smears, diseases of the uterus and breast, as well as STD's and family planning. This was a very stressful time and volunteers were worried that the goal of establishing a women's wellness clinic would not be fulfilled due to the political and cultural differences.

In November 1997, the Almaty Clinic had a grand opening. The committee worked hard over the months from May to October; the work paid off and the clinic was recognized internationally. Hillary Clinton was the keynote speaker. Two Tucson project members were present for the grand opening.

In June 1998, Barbara went back to Almaty for another 10 days to conduct an evaluation. The evaluation went extremely well, and fears of failure for the group were alleviated. The clinic was running well, all of the new techniques the doctors had learned while in Tucson were being practiced.

Continued education for the women's wellness clinic continues. Contact with the staff is maintained via E-mail. Almaty clinic staff became very good with English. The job for procuring needed equipment never ends and the Tucson committee continues to obtain, catalog, and pack equipment that is periodically air lifted to Almaty.

Barbara is completing four years as the Vice President and Program Chair for the Southern Arizona Nurse Practitioners. She is employed by the Tucson Veterans Affairs Medical Center where, since 1993, she is the Director of the Women's Health Program. Recently, through her efforts, the Women's Health Program now has an obstetrical component in addition to the wellness and gynecological areas.

Her current professional appointments include: Adjunct Faculty, UA, College of Nursing; Faculty for Nursing Program, Pima Community College; and Women Veteran Coordinator, Tucson VA Medical Center. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau. She has given numerous presentations on women's health issues, but locally and at national meetings.

Congratulations to Barbara Palmer as the 1998 Nurse Practitioner of the Year for Southern Arizona.

Copyright Arizona State Nurses Association Jan 1999
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