AAACN NEWS

Above and Beyond Award Winner

Traci S. Haynes, MS, RN, CEN, was the recipient of the 2005 President's Above and Beyond Award. President Regina C. Phillips, MSN, RN, chose to give the award to Traci for her tireless work on several major AAACN projects; she is a co-author for the Telehealth Nursing Practice chapter in the second edition of the MACN Core Curriculum, she chairs the group that is updating the TNP Resource Directory, she updates and teaches the Telehealth Nursing Practice Core Course, and she has worked on the Public Relations/Marketing Task Force. She worked on these multiple projects concurrently while involved with an increased workload in her position at McKesson Corporation, Scottsdale, AZ, related to the impact of hurricanes and the delivery of critical medications to patients. She is a delight to work with and produces very high-quality, professional work. Her professional commitment is a great asset to this organization.

Another colleague also said, "Traci has been a great asset. She is now chair of the group working on the new membership brochure, poster, and quick screen. She has scheduled meetings for the convenience of the group that are very early in the day for her (7:00 a.m.). She is persistent and always follows up."

President Phillips thanked Traci for her tireless contribution to the success of AAACN, and also thanked her on behalf of the membership.

Excellence Award Winners

Lt. Col. Carol A. B. Andrews was the recipient of the 2005 Administrative Excellence Award. Carol was recognized as a mentor who promotes collegial working relationships to improve patient outcomes. She initiated several new programs to improve processes and patient care, which led to several awards and higher Air Force ratings. She is an unparalleled educator and is recognized as a nursing expert. She was selected by the Surgeon General and has led the effort to re-engineer the role of Air Force Nursing world-wide.

Maj. Christine S. Taylor was the recipient of the 2005 Clinical Excellence Award. Christine was nominated by her peers for her contagious enthusiasm which has led to many successful organizational goals and awards. She is the go-to person for her leadership expertise, knowledge, and mentoring skills. She exhibits flawless management, exemplary leadership, and handles challenges head on. She embodies innovative leadership and extraordinary talent that exemplifies all aspects of today's Air Force nurse leader.

The Excellence Awards are sponsored by the Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc. Nursing Economics Foundation.

Poster Winners

A total of 22 posters were on display at the Atlanta conference. Judging was difficult due to the high quality and educational value of every poster. Winners received prize ribbons and a certificate, and are as follows:

1st Place (tie)

* "Culture of Change: An Innovative Approach to Weight Reduction/Management Utilizing an Interdisciplinary Approach in an Ambulatory Care Setting." Presented by Esther Brooks, MSN, RN, and Julia Younce, MSN, RN.

* "The Role of Nursing in Improving Blood Pressure Control." Presented by Donna Y. King, BSN, RN, and Stephanie A. Mathis, BSN, RN.

2nd Place (tie)

* "Implementation of a Reengineering Program in Community Health Centers." Presented by Ora Roberts, BSN, RN, and Carolyn Bell, BSN, RNC, CNA.

* "Implementing Advanced Clinic Access in Ambulatory Care: Changing the Delivery of Care from Provider Centered to Patient Focus." Presented by Susan Mangery, BSN, RN, BS, MEd, CNA, BC, and Phillip B. Greenberg, MD.

3rd Place

* "Outcomes in a Nurse Practitioner Academic Practice Clinic for Indigent Patients." Presented by Janet P. Moye, MS, RN, and Regina Hathaway.

Peach Certificate Winners

Four nurses visiting the exhibit hall were surprised by an exhibitor who awarded at random a $100 "peach" certificate toward AAACN educational resources or offerings. The winners were:

Deborah Byrne-Barta

Juanita Chisom

Ann Lockhart

Kristin Looney

ANCC Awards a Free Registration To Ambulatory Certification Exam

Marilyn Mills, RN, Manager, Ortho Clinic & Specialty Services at the Children's Hospital of Orange County, CA, was the lucky winner of the free registration to the American Nurses Credentialing Center Ambulatory Care Nursing certification exam. Marilyn entered her name at the ANCC Certification booth at the conference.

Closing Session Touches, Inspires AAACN Conference Attendees

Carol Rutenberg, MNSc, RN,C, facilitated the closing session, during which she showed the unselfish role nurses play during frequent disasters. Nurses who could not attend submitted their stories, which were read by Carol. Several nurses in attendance shared their stories from the stage while showing heart-wrenching photos of the destruction caused by Katrina and how nurses helped people through the tragedy of losing their homes and providing medical care along with food, clothing, and shelter. A special angel pin was designed by Rosemary Trevino of "Angels by Rosemary." Each nurse who shared a story received a special Katrina angel as a thank you. This very special closing was moving, inspirational, and showed how amazing nurses are and how everyone comes together as the result of such a terrible disaster.